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I chose to hook this rug because my husband wanted a rug with turtles in it. Then, he decided he also wanted a mermaid. A friend told me about this design, and I loved it. I decided to use only wool with this project. I dyed most of it myself.
It’s hard to say which section I like the most—perhaps the details of the mermaid. Most of my friends loved the three little fish near the bottom.
Hooking all the circles around the mermaid was somewhat difficult. I even did a little thread work in some spots. The mermaid’s face was also difficult. I had to use a #2 cut to get the details right.
I chose to have this piece framed. Since there is a lot of color in the rug, I picked a small, white frame for it. This rug taught me that patience is critical when trying to do a rug with so many details and colors.
From the Judges:
Rich jewel tones create this ethereal underwater dreamscape. A fluid feel is gained from the use of highlights, shadows, and blending hues. A beautiful interpretation.
Rise Up, 30″ x 36″, #2- and 3-cut wool on rug warp. Designed by David Galchutt and hooked by Maria Danckaert, Tavares, Florida, 2024.
Maria Danckaert
TAVARES, FLORIDA
Maria started hooking in 1999 to finish a rug her mother had started and couldn’t finish herself. She found a group to help her get started. Bettina Maraldo supplied her with the tools to finish the rug. She enjoyed the group so much that she continued to hook. With the help of a member of the Citrus Belles, she drew a pattern of seashells to work on next. She attended a class with Joan Reckwerdt to help her color plan the rug. She’s still with the group and still hooking. She’s done many rugs and given many away to friends and family.