La Grange Woolcraft – Corriedales & Locker Hooking at Mount Eccles, Victoria

Gillian Bahn and husband Gordon own a 24 acre sheep property in rugged hill country at Mount Eccles, in Victoria’s east. Starting out with just two sheep, the couple now runs 50 Corriedales and Gillian spins and dyes her own wool. 18 years ago Gillian was introduced to locker hooking is now quite an expert.

WHAT IS LOCKER HOOKING?
Locker hooking is similiar to many crafts like crocheting, latch hook, needlepoint, and rug punch:
1)like latch hook it uses a canvas backing;
2)similair to rug punch, strips of wool, fabric, or yarn are pulled through a backing to the front;
3)like crocheting it uses a hook that at one end looks like a crochet hook;
4)like needlepoint the texture in locker hooking is determined by the length of the loops and the direction of the stiches.

However, say the experts, locker hooking is its own unique craft. It is a fast, easy, and inexpensive way to create rugs, clothing, pillows, chair pads, saddle bags, wall hangings.. and the list goes it.

Gillian’s product range today includes cushions, mats, toys and bags and Gordon has encouraged her all the way. Some years ago the Bahns took over a stall at the Melbourne Sheep & Wool Show, previously run by ‘expert’ Leone Peguero, author of “Locker Hooking – A guide to the Craft”. They learnt what the market wanted and made every effort to supply it. The Melbourne Wool Show has since moved to Bendigo and here Gillian and Gordon do a great trade. Gillian thinks she sees a trend to people taking up hand crafts again.

Regulars at craft markets seek out La Grange for locker hooking, spinning, felting, needle felting and wool art supplies. Gillian is available for demonstrations and workshops in spinning, dyeing, felting or needle felting and she demonstrates at local Spin Ins which helps boost sales.

Gillian enjoys her association with the Gippsland Gourmet Country Tourism Association and opens the shop on the property at 1225 Wild Dog Road, Mount Eccles, Monday, Friday and Saturday or by appointment. Gillian is happy to mail out orders.

FOR MORE INFO OR ORDERS:
Phone/Fax Gillian – 03 5668 9221
Email: la.grange@dcsi.net.au