The Latch Hook Covered Bridge project as of March 19, 2025

I’m resigned to the fact that I won’t get this monster latch hook project done in time for Competition Season 2025. I’m resigned to it. I didn’t realize that, five months into this artwork, I would only be about one-third of the way complete.

Let me explain.

When I started this project in October 2024, I created a pattern online that was larger than most of the other past rug creations. But what I hadn’t realized at the time was – this wouldn’t take up just one canvas. No sirree.

This bad boy is definitely a three-canvas project.

And as of two weeks ago … I was at this spot in the project.

But after a tremendous amount of hard work, I’ve made some serious progress.

And one of the tactics that helps? Descriptive Audio Television.

I shall explain.

When I work on these latch hook rugs, I’ll have a television program on in the background. And if it’s a drama series like Yellowjackets or 1923 or Mayor of Kingstown or The White Lotus or The Gilded Age or one of those other popular streaming shows … I’ll activate the Descriptive Audio channel on my broadcast.

That way, I can concentrate on the latch hook rug, and whatever action I miss on TV will be described to me in detail by an off-screen narrator. It’s actually a very interesting option.

So here’s how it works. When there’s anything on the screen that would help a visually impaired viewer understand what’s happening, a narrator will explain in spots where the narration won’t interfere with on-screen dialogue.

And let me tell you … these shows get extremely descriptive.

I give you an example.

The Yellowstone spinoff 1923 on Paramount+ tells the story of the Dutton family and their extended plotlines in that time period. Two of the main characters, Spencer Dutton and his romantic partner Alexandra, were separated at the end of Season 1 and are trying to find their way back together throughout the show’s second season. While Spencer has worked his way back to America via merchant ships and various other journeys, Alexandra (a British expatriate) is currently emigrating into New York, and has just arrived at Ellis Island.

As she is examined by an Ellis Island doctor, I’m in my living room chair, trying to make sure I use the right shade of moss green in the proper latch hook locations. The descriptive audio channel is activated. This is what I’m hearing on the channel. And listen to it as if it’s being described by a dispassionate anchorman on the 6:00 news.

DVA: Keeping her legs straight, Alex bends forward and picks up the stool.

DOCTOR: Raise it above your head.

DVA: She does so.

DOCTOR: Very well.

DVA: She puts the stool down.

DOCTOR: If you could disrobe, please.

DVA: She glances from the nurse to the doctor.

DOCTOR: Remove your clothing.

DVA: Alex gapes.

DOCTOR: It is not a request, Miss Dutton, it is a requirement.

DVA: Looking downward, Alex wears a pensive expression.  She slips off her vest, and lays it on top of her luggage and coat.  She unfastens buttons at her wrists, and down the front of her blouse, then removes her top.  Setting her shirt aside, she unzips her skirt and steps out of it.  The doctor and nurse watch her bend over and unbuckle her shoe.  In a glimpse, other doctors perform examinations behind other curtains.  Alex takes off her garters and stockings, then removes her slip.  Setting the slip aside, she faces the doctor and nurse in her bra and underwear.  The doctor wears an expectant look. Alex stares off.  Turning around, she reluctantly unhooks her bra and removes it.  She sets her bra down, then unfastens her underwear at the waist.  She steps out of them, and puts them aside.  Looking down, she touches her stomach.

DOCTOR: Turn around, please.

DVA: She faces the doctor.

DOCTOR: Arms out.

DVA: As Alex lifts her arms, the doctor examines her right side and back.  He bends down and looks at her butt and legs.  Moving to her left side, he repeats his examination.  He kneels in front of her, and pushes her knees outward slightly.  He looks at the inside of her legs, then stands up.

DOCTOR: Sit on the table, please.

DVA: As Alex sits on the edge of an exam table, the doctor holds a stethoscope to her back.

Sweet Lord, this sounds like one of the driest, coldest Penthouse Forum letters ever written. It’s as boring as one of those Harlequin Romance paperback novels my mother collected.

Well … while that’s going on in the background …

I’ve reached this stage in the latch hook rug project.

Holy crap do you see this? You can see the ROOF of the covered bridge! You can see the foliage and the clouds in the distance!

I’m thinking that by the end of the month … maybe mid-April … I’ll have this panel complete, and can start on the far right panel.

This is fun.

Then again, it helps when there’s a descriptive audio channel to keep you from losing your attention on the project in your hands. So there’s that. 😀