History of Hooked Rugs
It's suggested that immigrants from Scotland , England, and the Scandinavian countries may have brought the original ideas of rugs made by hooking to the United states. The hooked rug is described as having originated in rural New England during the late 18th Century and had taken root in Colonial America. The hooked rug became popular then, and is still today, a specialty of American craft. The creators of these rugs in the late 18th century were the women of the household, mainly among the rural and urban middle classes, but also to some extent, among the poorer population. Imported pile carpets from Europe and the east were too expensive for these social groups to purchase, but the hooked rug provided a floor cover of bright, spontaneous colors and designs that added beauty to the interior, and warmth in the cold winters. The hooked rug has remained a favored object today.
Hooked Rug History and Origins
This website discusses a bit of the origins and decorative history of hooked rugs. They are easy to make, and are an alternative for hard to make regular woven rugs at the start of the hooked rug-making craft. It all came out of necessity to reuse all the stuff in household (in rural areas especially). So people used their worn clothes and old cloth to make hooked rugs. The history of hooked rugs making has a very deep roots. Although it has originated elsewhere it has gain the most of its development on the American continent. First hooked rugs are believed to be made in a place near New England. The cold climate of this area forced people to make hooked rugs to be used as covering from the bed weather conditions.
Hooked Rug Techniques
Hooked rugs are results of the technique that allows creating a looped pile fabric, tapestry or rug. The hook, that is used to create hooked rugs, has much in common with a crochet hook. Generally it is inserted into a wooden handle. The handle is used to pull strips of narrowly cut fabric from the back up to the front of the item that is being created. The rest of this website explains how hooked rugs are made.
History of Hooked, Rag Rugs
This website gives a comprehensive history of hooked, or rag rugs. Making these rugs was a utilitarian craft initially, a way for poorer families to create bed coverings or floor rugs from old clothes and fabric scraps. Its precise origins are lost in the distant past, but links have been suggested with Viking settlers. Rugs were made all over the British Isles, and that geographical spread, plus the large number of dialect words used to describe them, point to a long history.
Hook Rug Designs
On the site of Orana Originals (which specializes in Australian and aboriginal themed needlework designs for cross-stich,longstitch, hook rugs and tapestry), this section provides good-resolution photos for many well designed, colorful hook rugs.
The Rug Hookers' Group on Yahoo.com
Here's where you can join the Rug Hookers e-group at Yahoo.com. If you've ever been a part of an e-group before you're undoubtedly in for a pleasant surprise. This is a large group of people, all of whom are interesting in hooked rugs, and all of them ready, willing, and anxious to share their expertise, their knowledge, their skill, their hints, and their tips to help you with any hooked rug project you have or are thinking of starting. Groups such as this are very close-knit and willing to lend help and advice as if you are a member of a family. If you are interested in joining an on-going discussion on a wide range of hooked rug topice with over 1,600 other rug hooking enthusiasts, then follow the simple instructions for gaining membership.
Rug Hooking and Dye Information
Resources for rug hooking are available at this website, which includes informative links to rug websites. Her books Dyeing Without Dye and Dyeing by the Number are expert resources. Site also includes a gallery of her rug creations,
Hooked Rugs
Deanne Fitzpatrick, a well-known hooker of rugs, creates custom rug designs. Her website features rug hooking kits, a gallery of unique hooked rugs, rug hooking patterns and templates, as well as workshop information and resourceful rug articles. Visit her limited edition rug link to see some of her custom hooked rug works.
Hooked Rugs
Here is information about the craft of rug hooking, with a wealth of historical information. Includes information about rug shading and dyeing, and how rugs were used inside homes to provide protection from cold floors. Much of the hook rug history developed in Maine, although hooked rugging has maintained popularity today.
Rug and Hooking Supplies
Past & Present Rug Shop is a fast growing traditional rug hooking supply business in North Rustico, Prince Edward Island. We offer a complete stock of rug hooking supplies including books, patterns, wool, yarn, printed patterns, bent scissors, hooks, hoops, frames, wool cloth cutters, thrummed knitting supplies and much more. Site features rug and mat hooking as a handcraft that originated more than a century ago. Today there is a growing interest in the use of many different materials to create original designs. Soon you will have your own collection of beautiful hooked mats and rugs that will eventually become your family heirlooms. Includes a gallery of rug patterns including landscapes, animals and other designs. Supplies include custom dyed wool, cutting machines, rug frames and hoops as well as rug hooks and prodders.
Rug Hooking
The Robin's Nest and Bird Bath Essentials offer traditional rug hooking supplies and accessories, as well as, quality handcrafted soap and body essentials. Open irregular hours due to my full-time job, the studio also stocks my father's hand-woven baskets, needle felting supplies, and other gift items. Classes, workshops, hook-ins and other gatherings are offered regularly at The Nest. Includes information about the rug retreat, rug links, newsletters, and rug resources.
Rug Hooking
Rug hooking information and a photo gallery of some hooked rugs, includes links to more rug hooking studios, a creative shop, rug hooking designs, rug carnivals, hand hooked rugs and tapestries. Browse sample rug patterns to inspire better rug hooking, from simple designs and landscapes, this website provides rug making ideas and patterns.
