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hand hooked wool rug of shore birds, the beach, sea and sky
cut teal colored wool strips draped in a basket for rug hooking
stack of purple, green and lavender hand dyed wool fabric for rug hooking
hand hooked wool rug of shore birds, the beach, sea and sky
Heritage Craft with a Twist
Welcome to Two Cats & Dog Hooking
Welcome to my website! I am Ellen Skea Marshall, a maker living and crafting in the western Mountains of Maine. My passion is the heritage craft of rug hooking. I bring a modern-day twist through my fun, colorful, whimsical and themed patterns, both in my finished hand-hooked rugs and in my designs on unbleached primitive linen.
Here you will find finished hand-hooked rugs, pillows, mats, chair pads, Christmas stockings, trivets and coasters as well as other hand-crafted items including felted pin cushions, and hand-hooked folk art. also offer my hand-dyed wool that I process in small batches, as well as original patterns and supplies including hooks, and on occasion used frames. I also offer pre-packaged kits that provide all you need to get started!
Please enjoy your time on my site and reach out anytime if I may be of assistance.
About Ellen Skea Marshall
My desire to learn this heritage craft came from living with my Grandmother’s hooked rugs. I never had the pleasure of knowing her since she was gone long before I was born. However, am fortunate to have grown up walking on her rugs, not imagining at the time that I would be carrying on her tradition while giving it a modern twist with design elements and a use of fabrics that she didn’t have access to. She made them using clothes that could no longer be worn-the traditional way. My grandfather used to muse that he was afraid to leave home because his clothes would be turned into rugs while he was away.
After my first pulled loop I knew it was a craft that spoke to me. From there I learned to dye wool fabric and I delight in the colors that come out of the dye pots. The design process, the feel of the wool, the entire methods sit with me like nothing else I have ever tried. I am anxious to share this with you in the form of finished work, kits, patterns, supplies or hand dyed wool.
All of my work is created by my hands unless otherwise specified. I design, dye wool and hand hook my rugs and accessories loop by loop. For images on the process from start to finish, click HERE. You can count on a heritage quality product from me. One-hundred percent wool and primitive linen are the primary elements of my rugs.
From heritage rug designs and custom designs, to designs that may lean towards modern farmhouse – I like to do it all.
People often ask me how I came up with the name of my business. Two Cats and Dog Hooking popped into my head long before even having a website when I was starting up what I thought would only be a part-time gig. As an empty nester with a husband who worked very long hours, I spent the most time with my two cats and dog, and thought, why not? So Two Cats and Dog Hooking was born!
Living in the mountains of Western Maine, I am surrounded by beauty. Also having lived in many parts of the country, I have lots to reflect upon when I sit down to draw, design, color plan, and finally hook.
Rug hooking is making a comeback and it is very exciting to see. I am fortunate enough to be able to hook along side very talented women in Maine and continue this very important heritage craft.
I love what I am doing and hope you will too! If you like what you see, please share with others.
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