Primitive Rug Hooking with Keith Kemmer

“Everything New is Old Again”

Date: Thursday – Sunday, Sep 25 – 28, 2025 (9am-4pm)
Cost: $425
-$170 deposit due with registration (refundable until July 1, 2025)
-$255 remainder due by July 1, 2025 (non-refundable)
Instructor: Keith Kemmer
Location: Grand Lake Center @ 301 Marina Drive, Grand Lake, CO

Registration closes July 1, 2025

What does it take to create a primitive hooked rug? Is it the technique, the pattern, the wools, the size of strip, or the colors? The answer is – YES to all of these options – or any combination. Students will select an appropriate primitive pattern for this workshop. My patterns along with other great, well known primitive patterns are sold through the Woolley Fox/A Nimble Thimble in Tyler Texas – www.woolleyfox.com  The workshop will focus on individual color plan – basically an “open class” using as-is and over-dyed textured wools. I’ll discuss and demonstrate different hooking styles and techniques. The recommended hooking strip size will be #8 and up, but there is no limit when it comes to giving a rug that “early” appeal. We might use a # 4 cut to wide torn strips. Students are welcome to bring any textured wools for use in their rug. I will have plenty of wools, too. There will be lots of opportunity for creating a rug that “wows”.

Plan to learn and try new techniques and see how they can impact the overall primitive look. Everything from “raggedy” and “higgley-piggley”, to Hit’n Miss, halo/echo and puddled styles. We’ll discuss how a primitive pattern can help you decide how to hook it. Is it folky or a more formal pattern? You’ll have big fun learning something new to make your rugs look old.

About Instructor: Keith Kemmer has been hooking rugs for 30+ years, and designing rug patterns for almost just as long. Early in his rug hooking journey, it was primitive rugs which sparked Keith’s interest. Their folky designs and “worn” look gave focus and love to this niche of rug hooking. Over the years, Keith has achieved a primitive hooking style through techniques and knowledge gained from workshops with many renowned primitive rug teachers. By sharing this knowledge he continues to promote interest in primitive hooked rugs.

Teaching rug hooking is Keith’s “full-time job”. He has taught at well known rug camps as well as many ATHA Biennials; and is the director of the Shaker Village Rug Retreat at Pleasant Hill Shaker Village in Harrodsburg Kentucky. Keith continues to designs rug patterns based on his own ideas, antique adaptation, folk art and “fancy” woven coverlets from the 1800’s. His patterns, along with those of Barbara Carroll, Edyth O’Neill and others are available through the Woolley Fox woolleyfox.com

Register by going to https://secure.rec1.com/CO/grand-lake-co/catalog

For all their workshops go to: CLASSES