Rug Hooking Descriptions


There are different types of rug making available. The Rug Hooker's Network originally began as a resource for Traditional and Primitive style rug hooking but has expanded to include resources for Punch and Speed Needle style rug making. Below will hopefully clarify to the beginner the variations of styles and techniques used for each craft. Our suggestion for getting started is to read the descriptions of each type of rug making below, find the style you are interested in, and visit either the "Online Catalogs" located from our homepage, which will give you an in depth look at the different rug making supplies available through that specific supplier, pictures of their completed patterns, locations, etc.. You can also visit the "Supplier Directory" pages also located from our homepage.

Suppliers do a large mail order business so do not be concerned if you can not locate a supplier in your area. Once you find a supplier you are interested in, contact them for help choosing a beginners kit which will include most of the materials you will need to get started. There are also many books and videos available to help you learn techniques, but hands-on training is a really great way to get the feel for rug making. There are many instructors, rug groups and guilds available to help you get started.

Traditional Rug Hooking
Punch & Needle Style Rug Hooking
Latch Style Rugs


TRADITIONAL RUG HOOKING

Traditional rug hooking has existed for approximately 200 - 300 years originating in the United States out of necessity. The rugs were used on the floors in the Summer and on the beds in the Winter for warmth. The first rugs were made out of all types of materials.

Traditional Rug Hooking has been accepted into the Fibre Arts and Art Foundation as an art form. Traditionally Hooked Rug styles include Fine Hooked Rugs with thinner strips of material and shading techniques utilized. Primitive styles of Hooked Rugs utilize a wider strip of material and generally has little shading involved. The tools are the same, but the methods will differ with shading techniques, and width of wool strips.

Traditional and Primitive style Hooked Rugs use a hand hook to form a loop pile on the surface of the backing material. Backing material has an even weave base and may include Burlap, Monk�s Cloth, Rug Warp, etc..

Equipment needed for this art varies depending on individual preferences and many wonderful specialty items are available, but a common list and average prices includes the following:


Equipment Needed

Hooks ~ There are different size hooks (points) depending on your preference and hooking need (primitive versus traditional fine rugs).  Ask the pattern supplier which type is best for your project.  Hooks are generally around $4.50 - $8.00.


Frames~ (which includes lap frames, floor frames and hoops ) Frames are either wooden or metal such as the Puritan Frame.  For large rugs, many people prefer a larger floor frame.  Tacks are used to attach the backing material to wooden frames and the Puritan Frame has carding strips with gripper like teeth that hold the backing material firmly in place.  A hoop frame, used for needlepoint, etc, is smaller and good for small projects, especially to avoid a large expense until you are sure you like to hook.  You can buy these at most craft stores. Frames are priced  anywhere from $13.00 up to $200.00.

Scissors ~ The scissors pictured are a light weight, bent handle and sharp pointed rug scissor. Made to specifications in Solingen, Germany of the best grade cutlery steel. These specialty scissors are available enabling one to trim the wool material flush to the loop piles.  The scissors pictured cost around $25.00.


Cutter & Blades ( to cut the wool material into strips). There are different types of cutting machines, some with suction cups to keep it stable, others with a clamp on device for a table.  There are also different size blades to cut the wool into different size strips appropriate for your rug. Cutters can cost from $120.00 upwards with blades around $13.00 and up.

Rug Pattern ~This pattern is drawn on Monk's Cloth although patterns are available on Backing material of choice.  Pattern costs range depending on size and intricacy.  The biggest cost is not the pattern itself, but the wool material.

 

 

 

Photograph courtesy of Jane Olson Rug Studio - "Fantasy Fruit"

 


Wool Material ~  Wool material can be purchased by the yard or piece, or in swatches as pictured here.  Swatches are usually 6 pieces of material of gradient shades of one color. Experience rug hookers also dye their own material with dyes one can purchase through rug hooking suppliers.

 

 

 

Many patterns are available in kit formats which include the pattern, material and instructions. Some suppliers will also cut the wool material for newcomers for no charge or a small fee.

For newcomers to this craft, there are instruction books and video tapes available, but the best way to get started is with hands-on instruction. There are many wonderful Rug Hooking Guilds, Teachers, Workshops and Hooking Groups available to help you get started. Rug Hooking, like any craft or art form, requires perfection of techniques to get the desired results, and as with any passion, it is fun to learn!



PUNCH NEEDLE HOOKING AND SPEED NEEDLE HOOKING

These newer forms of rug hooking have gained quite a popularity and are quite fun to do. The tools required to actually �hook� the rug do not resemble hook used in Traditional rug hooking, but this form of rug making is commonly referred to also as �rug hooking�.

This form of rug making also creates a finished project with a loop pile on the surface of your backing material. Backing material may include the same types as with Traditional rug hooking. The Punch and Speed needles are two types of specialty needles used to create the project. There is also an adjustable needle and the newer and more accurate Oxford Needle. Each of these requires the hooker to manually insert the needle into the backing and proceed as with the traditional hook. This method was originally developed in the middle 1800's and Amy Oxford carried it forward in 1997 when she invented her fixed needle which insures that all the loops are the same height on the right side of the rug. The material used can be wool or yarn cut in strips.

Equipment needed for this craft varies depending on individual preferences and many wonderful specialty items are available, but a common list includes the following:


Equipment Needed



Needles - May include the Hand or Speed Needle (pictures), Adjustable Needle or Oxford Needle (not-pictrued)
Graphics courtesy of Rumpelstilskin's:  www.rumpelstiltskinsrugcrafting 

 Frame
Cutter & Blades
Rug Pattern
Wool Yarn Material


As with Traditional rug hooking, there are some wonderful resources to get you started, or to provide you with the pattern and equipment needed to get started.



LATCH HOOKED STYLE RUGS

Latch Hooking is also a newer style of rug making than Traditionally hooked rugs. It uses pre-cut yarn strips, one strip per knot, and forms an open, knotted pile on the surface of the rug. The backing material weave is typically larger than that of Traditional or Punch hooked backing material. Many kits can be found in local craft stores as well as specialty shops.



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