Workshops
Trees up close (Online)
This three part workshop is offered online.
I love hooking trees - big, small, forests, and forced perspective - they’re all a joy for me to bring to life with my hook. I’m teaching my first workshop to share the techniques I use!. These trees are all unique (they will not all come out the same no matter what!) and are about exploring texture and mixing different techniques into one piece. The proposed size for this piece is 12 x 24 inches.
Techniques included: rug hooking, reverse rug hooking, felting, and embroidery
Week one: We’ll start working on the bark of the tree. This involves using a variety of sized strips, from very narrow strips to thicker torn strips. I primarily used upcycled tweed sports jackets for this project.
Week two: All the leaves! We’ll walk through creating a blend of many different greens and thinking about how big the leaves are in any given section of the piece. We’ll also work in spots of sky and give them an effect to make them look further back than the leaves.
Week three: We’ll work on the background and birch trees. This is when we’ll play with felting and embroidery.
Upcoming Dates (Online):
March 2026
Tuesdays – March 24, 31 and April 7 (please note this is the day after Easter Monday) from 6:30 – 8pm Eastern
Where: Zoom
Cost: $120 CDN +HST or $99 USD
circular Abstract
Over the last 4 years I have hooked dozens of circular abstract pieces. They are the perfect palate cleanser for me between bigger and more complicated rugs. The beauty of these pieces is that they can be as simple or as complex and you'd like, and as big or as small as you'd like!
Join me for this two hour workshop as we go through the different kinds of materials you can use, the different ways you can hook the materials (mostly to create texture), and how to keep colour balance in mind. We will also talk about how to add additional items (buttons, pottery, etc) to your piece.
Permission to Play: A Fibre Art Lab with Lara Wellman and Robin Whitford
This is a fun, experimental workshop for curious rug makers who want to use fibre in new ways. We’ll explore a variety of techniques — including hooking, punch needle, needle felting, proddy, embroidery, and found materials — with a focus on curiosity, discovery and experimentation— all while working on a piece to take home. See the sample photos below — these patterns will be available, along with lots of other options to choose from… including the opportunity to design your own!
Who this is for: Rug makers of all experience levels who want to try new techniques, play with new materials, build their creative muscles and their confidence in a relaxed, supportive environment.
What to bring: Scissors, a frame or hoop, a hook and/or Oxford Punch Needles — sharpie, and an open mind!
What’s included: All materials needed to create a 10" × 10" piece on a monks cloth foundation. You’ll enjoy access to a wide variety of wools and specialty fibres to explore— plus a catered box lunch is provided.
When: August 21, 2026
Where: Pineview Golf Course, 1471 Blair, Ottawa, Ontario
Cost: $150 + tax
How to sign up:
Sign up on the Hooking Outside the Lines website, and check out the hook-in happening on August 22 as well!
Trees up close (in person)
I love hooking trees - big, small, forests, and forced perspective - they’re all a joy for me to bring to life with my hook. I’m teaching my first workshop to share the techniques I use!. These trees are all unique (they will not all come out the same no matter what!) and are about exploring texture and mixing different techniques into one piece. The proposed size for this piece is 12 x 24 inches.
Techniques included: rug hooking, reverse rug hooking, felting, and embroidery
Week one: We’ll start working on the bark of the tree. This involves using a variety of sized strips, from very narrow strips to thicker torn strips. I primarily used upcycled tweed sports jackets for this project.
Week two: All the leaves! We’ll walk through creating a blend of many different greens and thinking about how big the leaves are in any given section of the piece. We’ll also work in spots of sky and give them an effect to make them look further back than the leaves.
Week three: We’ll work on the background and birch trees. This is when we’ll play with felting and embroidery.
Upcoming Dates (in person):
March 26 2026
Thursdays – March 26, April 2, 9 12:30 - 3pm Eastern
Where: In my home in Orleans, Ontario
Cost: $150 CDN +HST
Kits and patterns are available upon request.
Contact me at lara.wellman@gmail.com to sign up.