Selecting Canvas:
Latch hook rug canvas can be purchased in a variety of sizes. 3.75 Graph ‘N Latch Rug Canvas made by M.C.G. Textiles works well and can be found in most craft or sewing stores.

Joining Canvas:
Can’t find a canvas large enough? Two or more canvases can be joined together to get the size needed. Joining can be done before latch hooking is started or the rug can be worked on in smaller pieces and joined together as each piece is completed.

Start by cutting the edges of the canvas straight, removing any selvages. The holes on the edge of each canvas should be surrounded by mesh on all four sides. If edges are trimmed too closely to the holes, the canvas will start to unravel.

If joining canvases as the rug is being worked on, a little advanced planning and thought will make the process go a little smoother. Before transferring the pattern to the canvas, the canvases will need to be laid out as you plan to join them, overlapping the canvases by six rows. Finishing and hemming will be easier if joins are kept away from the corners of the rug. Once the canvases have been laid out, the pattern can be transferred, leaving four rows of holes empty along the outside edges for hemming. As you latch hook each piece, keep in mind that the six rows that will be overlapped will not be hooked until they are joined with the next canvas.

Once the hem has been trimmed, place a dot of white glue at each joint in the mesh along the outside edge to prevent the canvas from unraveling. Elmer’s Glue-All works well. Allow to dry.

To sew canvases together, overlap both canvases by six rows and match up the holes. Using heavy duty thread, slip stitch both canvases together, placing one stitch in each hole of the canvases and sew around all four raw edges. Coats Extra Strong Upholstery Thread works well for this, but any strong thread will work. Once sewing is complete, continue latch hooking through both layers of canvas.