February can feel like a quiet pause between seasons, a moment when the light begins to shift and our hands naturally reach for projects that bring comfort and the small promise of spring. In this issue of We Like Rug Hooking, we lean into that sense of renewal, offering inspiration to carry you throughout the coldest winter nights.
In the Color Lab, “One Pan, One Project,” we explore a simple, efficient dyeing method that delivers beautiful results without fuss — a perfect approach for days when you want to create without turning your workspace upside down. And in Hooking 101, “Hooking Large Rugs” offers practical guidance for tackling bigger designs with confidence and ease.
Our Readers Gallery this month highlights the “Zodiac Collection,” a charming and imaginative series of rugs inspired by the twelve signs.
We’re also pleased to bring you several features that shine a light on artistry and innovation. You’ll meet Doris Norman, whose work blends technique and storytelling, and Ardemia Negro, a hooker turned designer whose creative evolution is sure to inspire. “Thirty (Fun!) Plaids and a Plain” celebrates the playful potential of patterned wool, while “Antique Vine” offers a fresh punch-needle interpretation rooted in tradition.
For those ready to start something new, don’t miss this month’s digital patterns: the whimsical “Magpie Cherry Pie” design and “A Passion for Punch, Part 2,” which includes a cheerful calendar hanger to welcome spring.
Warmly, READ MORE
February 2026
Featured
When my granddaughter was a bit younger, she loved to color in coloring books. I would watch her color the various parts of the design: a blue cat, green sky, pink grass, and so on. Her objective was to fill in the blank spaces with color—any color. That got me thinking about rug hooking and how I fill in the “blank” areas of the pattern design. The wool I choose and the way I hook it can have a big impact on the finished look of my rug. READ MORE
Is there anything more gloriously welcome than the first sweet days of spring? After the winter my eyes are starved for color and light, and never is there a more welcome green than that of the vibrant first buds on the trees and the brightening of the grass. Even on chilly days I venture to the bench outside my studio door to punch with the sounds and smells of spring all around, the warmth of the sun on my face. It does my heart good. READ MORE

