Traditional Rug Hooking

Come learn TRADITIONAL RUG HOOKING, an American Fiber Art, with guest instructor Suzanne McNeil.

Our ancestors in Colonial North America utilized feed sacks and strips of old garments to create the hearth rug. With the advent of burlap, the art of rug making underwent a transformation. Today, we additionally incorporate linen and monk’s cloth backing with felted wool strips. A variety of rug hooking styles have emerged, ranging from primitive (using wide strips) to more intricate techniques involving fine, artistic, realistic, and shaded hooking. In modern times, there is a trend towards experimenting with ribbons, silks, yarn, cottons, and other materials.

In the initial scheduled session, we will delve into a concise historical overview, examine various samples, explore tools, and learn the process of pulling strips from underneath the backing to form loops using wool and yarn. During our subsequent meeting, we will finalize our project and master the technique of binding the edges. Your creation has the potential to evolve into a petite wall tapestry, a charming coaster, or any other imaginative creation.