What is Rug Hooking?

Photo Credits: Dawning Memories

Beets: Designed by Pearl McGown & Jane McGown Flynn; Taught by Sheri Matz; Hooked by Jennifer Kaylor

     Traditional rug hooking is a wonderful fiber art that was born in the early 1800’s by working class families who couldn’t afford expensive imported rugs. These early rugs in their simplistic designs were both functional and beautiful.  By the mid-1800’s recycled burlap feed sacks and worn-out clothing became the popular materials of choice. However, hand hooked rug making was not limited to just women. Sailors were also known to pull loops while out at sea. Canvas was used as their foundation material with loops of yarn and rope pulled through to recreate nautical scenes and images. Hooked rugs were both utilitarian and decorative. In the summer, they were laid on the floor loop-side down to endure daily wear and turned over when company came to call. As seasons changed and the nights grew cold, they doubled as bed coverings. The art of rug hooking continues to be passed down from one generation to the next, each unique piece telling a story and becoming a part of our history.

     Early rug hookers hooked rugs by tucking burlap under their legs while seated and pulled loops through with a bent nail. It is good to keep this in mind when starting out. For the new rug hooker, it is not necessary to invest in everything all at once. You can take your time, be creative and work with what you have. Rug hooking begins with a foundation cloth. The most common being linen, monks cloth, rug warp, or burlap. You can purchase foundation cloth with a pattern already drawn on it, transfer a design, or free hand draw your own.  Next, we move onto a frame.  The most affordable option for a beginner is a hoop. An embroidery or quilting hoop will work. The goal is to keep the foundation material stretched tight; this makes pulling up loops much easier. For this reason, most rug hookers prefer to hook on a frame with gripper strips. Gripper strips are made with tiny, angled metal fingers to securely hold the foundation cloth in place. Frames can be simple and stationary, or with articulated features allowing them to bend and turn for a comfortable angle. Once the foundation material is securely set on a frame we pick up a hook. Hooks come in many different handle styles and sizes. The one you choose will depend on what feels best in your hand and the wool cut size you are hooking. Finally, the hooking material. Most will be hooking with wool strips cut to the width of their choosing. However, one is not limited to just hooking with wool. Some choose to hook with recycled tee shirts, yarn, velvet, or other cloth. Mixing mediums in a project can add interest and excitement. Wool strips can be bought already cut, hand torn, or hand cut with scissors or a rotary cutter for those who have not invested in a cutting machine. Cutting machines vairy from those that sit on a tabletop to ones that clamp onto the side of a table or mount. These have different sized blade cartridges that cut single to multiple strips at a time as you turn a handle and feed the wool through. Growing in popularity, is the die cut method. This method is done with a machine that uses special dies made for cutting up to three layers of wool at a time, producing multiple wool strips with one pass through the machine.

     The best way to learn about traditional rug hooking is to connect with a local rug hooking group. Hook-ins offer a wealth of knowledge that has been passed down from one generation to the next, inspirational creativity, and community with other fiber artists. My local hooking group meets monthly at the Snohomish Library. All fiber artists are welcome, so come on down and join us!

Local Rug Hooking Groups

Heidi Grevstad, Certified McGown Teacher

Gift Certificates - Hand Dyed Wool - Hand Dyed Swatches & Bundles - Patterns/Kits & Books - Foundation Fabrics - Hooks & Scissors - Anthropologies Solids - Classes

Link to website: www.birchbayrughooking.com

Birch Bay Rug Hooking is one of my favorite places to shop for supplies.

“Wool can be purchased by appointment or at upcoming events. Email Heidi Grevstad, heidijgrevstad@gmail.com, to schedule an appointment. Birch Bay Rug Hooking has a limited supply of hand-dyed wool available at the Quilt and Fiber Arts Museum store in La Conner, WA.”

The Irish/Hartman Hook

The Irish Hook, Wexford, Ireland

Link to Etsy Shop: TheIrishHook - Etsy

Link to Ebay Shop: TheIrishHook - Ebay

The “Irish Hook”, also known in the USA as “The Hartman Hook”, is a range of tools for the discerning rug hooker, individually handcrafted (the hook as well as the handle) with brass hooks and ferrules, and using locally-sourced Yew wood for the handles.

“We are a father and son outfit based in a pleasant corner of rural Southeast Ireland, and have been making these rug tools for over 30 years. We strive for perfection in our work and try to ensure that every tool that leaves our workshop is as good as we can make it, and so it will be a pleasure to own and use.”

Guild, New Hampshire

Link to website: www.dorrmillstore.com

Wool - Hooks - Cutters - Foundation Cloth - Frames - Dyes - Wool for Felting & Roving - OTF Threads - Rug Binding - Yarn

“Someone is always ready to assist you at the Dorr Mill Store. Just give us a call at 800-846-DORR (846-3677), or email us: contact@DorrMillStore.com. We are open Tuesday-Saturday 9-5. Shop online anytime.”

Wells, Maine

Link to website: www.wcushing.com

Hand Dyed Wool - All You Need to Dye - Tools of the Trade - Hooked Rugs for Sale - Patterns - Textured Wool - Yarns (Hook, Punch, Bind, or Knit) - Punch Needle (Patterns to Supplies) - Gifts

NOTE: Cushing & Co. is open by appointment only.  Please call for an appointment. (207)360-0762; (207)360-0792

Rug Hooking Retreats

Region 11 Rug Hooking Information