Today, we continue to use the original method of rug hooking. Our equipment is very similar to yesteryear. The tools include a metal hook, burlap backing, a hoop or frame, and strips of fabric or yarn. Although cutting the strips of fabric is still done by hand, most traditional rug hookers now cut woolen fabric with a special cutting machine. There are pre-printed patterns on burlap available but many continue to design their own patterns.

Rug hooking encourages creativity through design, colour, and a variety of stitches. It is a craft enjoyed by all ages resulting in fine-cut and primitive rugs, cushions, ornaments, and wall hangings of lasting beauty.

Tips on Rug Hooking
*Fabric softener sheets can be used to prevent moths when placed between layers of wool; can be run through your cutter heads if wool is sticking

*Store your dye powders in empty plastic pill bottles and prevent the dye from getting on your hands when handling little envelopes and plastic packets

*Use a wire cat brush to clean out the gripper strips on your frames

*Keep your wrench attached to your Bliss cutter by attaching two velcro dots halves to the underside of your cutter and the other two velcro dot halves to your wrench

*Run a disposable lint roller across the front and back of your rug to remove the fuzz, threads and lint

*Remember to pull loops of any lettering on a rug slightly higher than your background. When pressing your rug, sometimes a fabric will shrink and your lettering will be lost

*Use a # 4 cut or wider for lettering. If your lettering is looking lost in the background, outline letters in a #3 cut to give them added interest.

*Always keep a hooking project in a visible spot - it will make you want to finish it as you are always looking at it!

*Onion mesh bags make excellent brooms to dust your work. Fold the netting into a fan and secure one end with elastic.

*Have fun with textures - consider hooking a rug with only plaids and tweeds

*When shading a sky, remember the sky becomes lighter as it approaches the horizon

*Be sure to look at the spacing between motifs when designing your own rug. The space is just as important to the design.

*When beveling or sculpturing, go slowly. You can always trim more but never replace.

*Always browse at a discount bookstore. There are always books that have great pictures that can be used for visual aids.

*Preparing to attend a rug class? Be sure to pack your hook, frame, scissors, zip lock bags, index cards/note pad for notes, pen, plastic sheet protectors for visual aids, etc.; hand cream, asprin/tylenol, water bottle, lunch (if necessary), and hand sterilizer soap

*Space saving idea ... Use an over the door shoe organizer with clear pockets for holding skeins of wool and swatches.

*The height of your loops will depend on the style of hooking and the thickness of your strips. Generally the loops should be as high as they are wide, for example, 1/4" strips are pulled 1/4" high.