Did you ever find yourself working along on one part of your embroidery project, when suddenly you have a hankering to move to another part and try something out?

This happens to me a lot. Maybe I’m too sanguine. I like to jump about and try things out! And if I’m getting bored with one part of a piece, moving to another part can re-kindle my interest and enthusiasm for the piece overall. So perhaps sanguinity can be a good thing….

When I’m working on a piece that is framed up (on stretcher bars or a slate frame, for example), it’s not a big deal to move to another section of the embroidery. The whole piece is there, in front of me, ready to be stitched on, wherever I want to stitch.

But when I’m using a hoop, it’s another question. To jump over to another space, especially if it’s just for a little visit – to give a certain technique a try or maybe to fix an area – it’s a pain to undo the hoop and re-hoop the fabric well.

I solve the problem by often having two hoops on one piece of work. Why not? There’s no rule that says you’re only allowed to use one hoop at a time, after all!

The only caution I’d offer is to make sure the hoop hardware (on either hoop) stays out of the way of your working thread.

But other than that, using two hoops can be handy! Generally, I’ll use a five or six-inch hoop pretty consistently, but if I’m “spot stitching” in another location, I’ll mount up a three or four-inch hoop.

Just remember – don’t leave your work hooped up for an extended time. If your stitching session is over for the day, or you know you aren’t going to get back to your project for a day or so, do yourself a favor and remove the hoop (or hoops). Extended hoop time can lead to permanent creases in the fabric, and hoop edges are notorious dirt magnates.

So what about you? Have you ever used two hoops at a time? If not, would you? Or do you think it’s silly? (It’s ok if you do – I’ve been called worse things than silly!)