Finding the wool for your rug hooking projects can be a daunting task OR it can be an adventure. If you're comfortable checking in at your local thrift shops, Salvation Army or Abilities Unlimited stores, you'll be able to find some great wool at bargain basement prices. I would strongly suggest that you stick to 100% wool or at least 80% wool. Most 100% wool garments will have an obvious label proudly stating that it is 100% Wool.

Your next step in selecting your wool purchases is to take a close look at the WEAVE... it is loose or moderate to tightly woven. Remember that you will be cutting the wool into narrow strips (1/4" probably being the widest), so if it's loosely woven, chances are that you will have trouble with the wool raveling, so I would "pass" on any loose weaves.

Buy slacks and skirts in the largest sizes you can find. If there's a pair of navy slacks in ladies size 6 and a pair of size 18, then buy the larger size... unless you're like me and buy them BOTH.

Men's and Ladies jackets and blazers have an iron-on interfacing in them everywhere except the very back and the sleeves. The residue from the iron-on makes the wool almost useless. So unless you find an unusual color (pink, yellow, green or aqua) stay away from the jackets and blazers, unless you're willing to pay the price for a small amount of usable wool.

Working with a wool plaid can give your project a really nice "textured" look. So, if you find a pretty tightly woven plaid... especially one that is just different SHADES of the same color, then I would certainly grab it.

After you've made your purchases, your next step if to separate your colors, whites, etc and wash... yes, WASH them. Use HOT water with soap, and then DRY them. This will shrink or "felt" the wool so that the weave is much tighter than before it's washed. Washing in hot and then drying will also set most colors so that they don't fade. The only exception would be red and some blacks.

If you ended up with a lot of whites and off whites... throw a piece or 2 of reds in with some of the whites and you get light pink. Same goes with using a piece or 2 of black... you end up with light gray.