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How to latch hook for beginners

In this tutorial you can learn the basics of latch hooking. From making knots to cutting your yarn, scroll down to learn all you need to know for your first rug making project.

Latch hooking is a trending craft technique. Traditionally it was used to make rugs and cushion, but nowadays you can also see beautiful wall hangings made with this technique.

blog learn latch hooking as a pro

What materials do you need for latch hooking?

Depending on the type of canvas you want to use, you will need to use a different latch hook and thickness of yarn.

latch hooking supplies

Materials for a regular latch hook project

2. Interlock canvas 13 count

3. Yarn

You can use a large varity of yarns for latch hooking. Experiment with different textures and types to get surprising effects. Perfect for de-stashing!

Forget about those classic latch hook projects with acrylic yarns.

Looking to make a soft high quality rug? For this canvas we advise our Gordita ecological wool.

For a cushion of 40 x 40 cm with you need 3 balls Gordita

For a rug your will need 16 balls per square meter.

4. Yarn cutting tool

You will need to cut your yarn at equal lenght. Our wooden yarn cutting tools are very handy tools. Using the wooden tool you can quickly cut yarn in 7,5 cm  (3 inch) or 13 cm (5 inch) lenght. The 7.5 cm is a standard lenght for a high pile rug. The 13 cm will give you an extra high pile, used for wall decorations.

6. Pattern

Typical rug patterns include a grid with colored blocks. Each block then indicates a knot on your carpet.

7. Marker

Use the marker to draw the pattern on your canvas. You will cover you canvas so no need to use water erasable ink.

8. Optional: Comb

You can create a fuller effect in your project when you comb your yarn after making the knots. Combing seperates the ply’s of your yarn and make them fluffy.

Materials for a finer latch hook project

2. Canvas

When using a fine latch hook you can best use our 19,7 count interlock canvas (easier) or the Sudan Canvas (cheaper).

3. Yarn

For this 19,7 count interlock canvas we recommend to use our Relove wool, a beautiful soft recycled wool.

For a cushion of 40 x 40 cm you’ll need 3 skeins.

For a rug you’ll need 15 skeins per square meter.

4. Yarn cutting tool

You will need to cut your yarn at equal lenght. Our wooden yarn cutting tools are very handy tools. Using the wooden tool you can quickly cut yarn in 7,5 cm  (3 inch) or 13 cm (5 inch) lenght. The 7.5 cm is a standard lenght for a high pile rug. The 13 cm will give you an extra high pile.

6. Pattern

Typical rug patterns include a grid with colored blocks. Each block then indicates a knot on your carpet.

7. Marker

Use the marker to draw the pattern on your canvas. You will cover you canvas so no need to use water erasable ink.

8. Optional: Comb

You can create a fuller effect in your project when you comb your yarn after making the knots. Combing seperates the ply’s of your yarn and make them fluffy.

How to cut yarn

We love cutting our yarn with a rug gauge. It’s a wooden block with a groove carved into it that allows to quickly and easily cut pieces of yarn or fabric to the correct length.  It saves so much time and effort in the prep stage of making a rug that it’s a real must-have if you’re planning to embark on a large project.

The 75 mm version will create standard lenght knots, whereas the 125 mm rug gauge is perfect for creating longer pieces.

Alternative to these handy rug gauges, you can also use a piece of cardboard. Be aware that cardboard bents easier which might result in different yarn lenghts.

Step 1

atch hook yarn cutting tool rug gauge 125mm

Take your yarn cutting tool and allign the end of your yarn with the groof of the tool.

Step 2

125 mm rug gauge for cutting yarn for rug hooking

Gently wrap your yarn around the rug gauge. Ensure you don’t overlap multiple skeins as this will create differences in your thread lenght. It’s better to make smaller batches. Also don’t pull the yarn too tight as this will stretch the yarn and after cutting it will become shorter.

Step 3

125 mm rug gauge for cutting yarn for rug hooking

Use your fabric scissors and use the groove to cut through your yarn. Voila! you now have threads at equal lenghts

Step 4

125 mm rug gauge for cutting yarn

Voila! you now have threads at equal lenghts

How to make a latch hook knot

Always start making your first knot in the right bottom corner (when right handed) or left bottom corner (when left handed). and then move your way up. This prevents that you accidently pull your latch hook through a previously made knot.

Keep an empty border of at least 3 cm on all sides to finish your piece later.

Step 1

How to latch hook for beginners

Lay your yarn on your canvas fabric as shown on the picture. Hold the latch hook in your dominant hand.

Step 2

How to latch hook for beginners

Hold your latch hook on top of the yarn. Push the tip of the latch hook underneath the strand of canvas that you want to attach the knot to.

Step 3

how to rug hook for beginners

Open the latch. Use your other hand to lay the yarn inside the open latch. Both strands of yarn should be pulled to one side of the latch with both ends lining up.

Step 4

how to rug hook for beginners

Pull the latch hook back out of the rug canvas. You might have to keep hold of the ends of the yarn at first to maintain tension, but then the latch will close itself as it’s pulled through the canvas, and the hook will pull the yarn out with it.

Step 5

how to latch hook step by step

Pull the ends of your yarn to tighten your knot.

Step 6

how to make knots for your rug

Voilá, you have finished your knot.

Continue making knots going from right to left and down to top when right handed. Or when left handed go from left to right and down to top.

How to make fringes

In modern latch hook projects you may notice a lot of difference in lenght of yarn. It’s fun to play with this technique. The next steps explain how you can make a twist on the traditional knots to create fringes. Use longer pieces of yarn to make your more dramatic. You may want to use the 5 inch (12,5 cm) rug gauge to get even lenghts of yarn.

Step 1

how to make latch hook fringes

Push the tip of the latch hook underneath the strand of canvas that you want to attach the fringe to.

Step 2

how to make rug hook fringes

Open the latch. Lay a long string of yarn in the open latch. Pull both ends of the yarn up, always matching the tips of your yarn.

Step 3

how to make fringes in latch hooking

Pull your latch hook through the holes and twist it to the right.

Grap both ends of your yarn with the hook.

Pull the latch hook through the loop of yarn to create a knot.

Step 4

how to make fringes in latch hooking

Pull the ends of your yarn down to tighten your knot and create your fringe.

Latch hook as a pro tips

Always begin at the lower left hand corner, or start at the lower right hand corner (if you are left handed).

Work row by row. From the bottom of your piece moving up. This prevents that you accidently include yarn from a higher row in your latch.

Create an extra fluffy effect by brushing all the threads with a comb after making your knots.

As a final step, trim any bits of yarn that are sticking out.

Frequent asked questions

How long does it take to latch hook a rug?2021-11-22T14:22:27+01:00

How long does it take to latch hook a rug?

The time it takes to latch hook a rug depends on the size of your final piece and the experience & speed of the person making it. On average, we create a cushion of 40 x 40 cm in the spare hours of a weekend. Experienced rug makers create about 350-700 knots per minute.

A rug of 100 x 150 cm (~40 x 60 inch) with interlock rug canvas contains approx 23500 knots. Meaning it would take an experienced maker approx 33-67 hours.

A cushion of 40 x 40 cm (~16 x 16 inch) with interlock rug canvas contains approx 2507 knots. Meaning it would take an experienced maker approx 4-7 hours.

But rather then looking at efficiecy, take it slow! Enjoy a sip of your favourite drink as you go and take a break from your daily hectic life ;-).

Can you wash latch hook rugs and cushions?2020-09-19T18:27:14+02:00

Can you wash latch hook rugs and cushions?

We recommend to only hand wash or dry clean latch hook rugs and cushions. This reduces the risk of damaging your piece of art that took hours to make.

Use luke warm water and a mild soap. Dry by pressing your rug in between two beach towels and gently press. Then lay flat to dry further. Do not tumble dry.

Can I use fabric strips to latch hook?2020-09-19T18:02:02+02:00

Can I use fabric strips to latch hook?

Yes! It’s a great way to recycle old t-shirts, and other clothes. Lay your fabric flat on the table and cut strips of approx 2 cm (4/5 inch). Then use a 125 mm (5 inch)  rug gauge to cut equal lenghts.

Now you can use the fabric strips to make knots. You can learn here how to make a knot

How much yarn do I need for latch hooking a cushion?2020-09-19T17:53:28+02:00

How much yarn do I need for latch hooking a cushion?

The amount of yarn needed for a latch hooking project depends on the lenght of the yarn used for each knot and the number of knots in a project.

Most latch hooking projects for cushions are made with 7,5 cm (3 inch) long lenghts of yarn for each knot. If you like to make a cushion of 40 x 40 cm this means your will make 2500 knots. 2500 knots times 7,5 cm totals to a minimum 188 meter. Using our Gordita wool you would need 3 balls of 50 gram.

Fringes and longer lenghts require more yarn.

 

How much yarn do I need for latch hooking a rug?2022-10-26T12:20:31+02:00

The amount of yarn needed for a latch hooking project depends on the lenght of the yarn used for each knot and the number of knots in a project.

Standard latch knots are made with 7,5 cm (3 inch) long lenghts of yarn for each knot.

Knotting on 13 count interlock canvas you will need approx:

For a rug of 75 x 100 cm you will need approx 900 meters of yarn. With Gordita wool you will need 11 balls.

For a rug of 100 x 150 cm you will need approx 1800 meters of yarn. With Gordita wool you will need 22 balls.

For a rug of 200 x 150 cm you will need approx 3600 meters of yarn. With Gordita wool you will need 44 balls.

Knotting on 19,7 count interlock canvas you will need:

For a rug of 75 x 100 cm you will need approx 1332 meters of yarn. With Relove wool you will need 7 skeins

For a rug of 100 x 150 cm you will need approx 2664 meters of yarn. With Relove wool you will need 14 skeins.

For a rug of 200 x 150 cm you will need approx 5328 meters of yarn. With Relove wool you will need 28 skeins.

Fringes and longer lenghts require more yarn.

Is latch hook easy?2021-09-18T14:36:01+02:00

Is latch hook easy?

Yes! Latch hooking is an easy rug making technique that involves using a special tool, called a latch hook, to knot short strands of yarn through a rug canvas. This craft technique is also suitable for kids (approx 7 years +). You can learn how to in our tutorial how to latch hook for beginners.

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