Rug Hooking

While there are many ways to make a rug, hooking offers the craftsperson an opportunity to transform a functional object into a work of art that tells a story. Many rug hookers compare their craft to painting with fibers, and many hooked rugs end up decorating walls. Although the choice of subjects may be wider in the twenty-first century, the craft has changed little over the years.

The history of rug hooking prior to the nineteenth century is unknown. In the United States, most historians believe the craft began between 1800 and 1850. Rug hooking flourished on the eastern seaboard of North America, and then spread to the rest of the United States and Canada.

Most of the rugs hooked in the nineteenth century were strictly utilitarian, and were referred to as "mats." The working class embraced the craft, especially those who lived in rural areas and were unable to afford expensive, imported Oriental rugs. In New England, where many old rugs have been collected, rug hooking exemplified the folk saying "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." Rugs were hooked from scraps of old clothing, sewing remnants, and rags. Old cloth was dyed or bleached and given new life in rugs. Feed sacks left over from the farm were used for backing material, and pieces of charcoal from the fireplace were used to draw the patterns on the backing.

While most rugs graced the wooden floors of kitchens and living rooms, some rugs were made for decorative purposes, seat cushions, and pillows. Crafters found inspiration for designs from farm scenes, flowers, animals, literature, and people.

Traditionally, both women and men have engaged in rug hooking. Sailors were known to occupy their time at sea hooking rugs with rope and canvas, using nautical designs. Edward Sands Frost, from Maine, was the first to design and sell stamped rug patterns. The business took off and within a few decades, the majority of crafters were using commercial patterns.

Handmade rugs went out of style when factory-made rugs became widely available and affordable in the late nineteenth century. Rug hooking returned during the Great Depression, and disappeared again for several decades until the craft was revived in the 1970s along with the newer latch hook rug technique.

In certain parts of Quebec and the Maritime provinces, however, rug hooking remained a respected folk art throughout the twentieth century. World-famous rugs from the fishing village of Cheticamp, Cape Breton, reflect quaint rural scenes and other aspects of Acadian culture.

The technique of rug hooking is fairly simple, and allows crafters to focus on the design of sophisticated patterns or to seek out new textures and rhythms. Traditional designs and primitive, "folksy" rugs continue to attract many new rug hookers to the craft. Many rug hookers gain additional satisfaction by dying their own wool and recycling used clothing.

Basic supplies

• Pattern
• Primitive hook
• Scissors
• Needle and thread

Optional supplies

• Color wheel
• Cloth cutter (mechanical wool stripper)
• Sewing machine
• Masking tape
• Burling iron
• Natural or purchased dyes and dying supplies
• Embellishments (yarn, sheep hair, sewing notions)
• Name labels
• Dowels and hooks for hanging

Techniques

Beginning steps for hooking a rug

Begin by transferring the pattern onto the foundation fabric (or use a pre-printed kit).

Cut 1/8-inch-wide wool strips (or other size as instructed) in the colors needed for the design. A good length is 12 to 15 inches, but shorter strips are fine.

Place the hoop or frame on foundation fabric, so that a small pattern area may be hooked in the middle of the fabric. Start on the right side of the area (reverse if left-handed).

Hold a strip underneath the fabric with the left hand. With the right hand, push the hook through the fabric from top to bottom close to the pattern line (reverse hands if left-handed).

Form a loop at the end of the strip and hook it over the end of the tool. Pull up the loop about 1/4 inch, or as otherwise instructed.

Release the hook and insert it through the second hole away from the first stitch, moving toward the left side of the area. Repeat previous step, rolling the hand slightly to the right so that the other loop isn't pulled back down.

Repeat. Loops should be the same height and should touch each other lightly without any gaps or overcrowding.

When the end of the strip is reached, pull up the remaining 1/4 inch in the next hole: this end is called the "tail." Begin a new strip in same hole with the tail. Tails will not be noticed if the beginning and ending places are staggered.

If the ends of tails are longer than 1/4 inch or the height of the hoops, trim them.

While working, check the underside of the fabric. It should be smooth, with no crossovers or dangling strips.

Trends

Many contemporary rug hookers tend to look to the past for inspiration. Primitive rugs that reflect the simple, folksy designs of the nineteenth century are popular. Typical subjects include cats, farmhouses, patriotic symbols, and flowers. Other rug hookers copy ancient Celtic designs, stained glass windows, and famous paintings that are in the public domain. At the same time, some rug hookers create complex, custom designs using computer software to make patterns; otherwise, patterns are easily available, including many free varieties, online. Additionally, people who are new to the craft can learn at any time through video tutorials offered on websites such as YouTube.

Another trend is to hook rugs that tell a story. These may feature people, personal landscapes, or special events. These rugs usually offer the greatest opportunity for self-expression. Similarly, some rug hookers are experimenting more with texture and mixed media in contemporary designs.

Hand-dyeing wool for use in rug hooking is also trendy, and can yield interesting colors that are not available commercially.

Rug Hooking for Fun vs. Profit

Crafters will find many outlets for selling rugs, from galleries and fairs to home parties. Several rug hookers have found success selling their pieces and patterns through e-commerce shops such as Etsy, which is geared toward homemade goods. Many established rug hookers have waiting lists for custom designs, and their rugs are sought after by collectors. However, because rug hooking can be rather time-consuming and expensive, new crafters may find it difficult to turn a profit from their rugs.

Learning More

Organizations

Association of Traditional Hooking Artists <http://www.atharugs.com/>

The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers <https://tighr.net/>

Books

Darr, Tara. Wool Rug Hooking. KP Books, 2005.

Lovelady, Donna. Rug Hooking for the First Time. Sterling, 2002.

Moshimer, Joan. The Complete Book of Rug Hooking. Dover, 1989.