Hooking rugs is quite an ancient technique of rug making and well known by many of our ancestors. Out of two different cultures came beautifully designed, piled rugs. The Scandinavian countries made their rugs with a thick pile known as 'rya', which simply means 'rug' in Swedish. This was accomplished using a loom. The pile was worked into the rug during the weaving process. Ryas are now made by knotting the pile on a woven fabric, which acts as the backing. The second culture from the orient hand tied all the pile by hand. The pile was most often strands of clothing or brightly colored yarn. These two methods are still the methods used today when making a hooked rug by hand.

 

Hooked rugs are made by forcing fabric or yarn pieces through a fabric backing. These hooked rugs are normally made so the loop is at the top of the rug. I recall the fabric and yarns being looped and pushed through old threshing canvas. Each loop was secured by running a heavy button thread inside the loop from the backside. This left the tufting to the front side, which worked as a shoe cleaner at the door. The loop was then pulled tight from the front side. Not all were done this way, and some call them rag rugs. The fabric itself was normally stretched over a frame, which opened each space between fabric threads as far as possible. Once the work was completed and the piece came off the stretcher the spaces would close around the fabric to hold hem tightly. Fabric stayed in the holes better as it would fluff out once through the hole, but normally when the hooking was completed, a second backing was sewn into place to keep the fabrics or yarns more secure.

 

Many of the original rugs made using the hooking technique are now preserved in local museums for all to enjoy. The methods are still practiced today by home crafters who enjoy bringing back ancestral arts and crafts. Patterns are available with designs ready to be completed with the colors the crafter wishes to use. Once completed new, modern backings are also available. Many make them using yarn loops, backing adhesive and then either frame their work or make them into a pillow or bench seat cover. The art of hooking rugs may have started with out ancestors, but has grown to be loved by present day old time rug enthusiasts.