Looking for a winter hobby? You might find everything you're looking for in hooking.
I had no idea that I had everything it took to make a spectacular hooker, but a few years ago, on a Saturday afternoon I discovered I was destined to be a pro. And so was my mother.
Ask yourself these questions:
1. Do you like to work with your hands?
2. Do you love to finish a job?
3. Do you have an instinct for when to pull out?
4. Can you happily sit with wood on your lap for hours?
5. Are you interested in a mindless activity and doing it over and over and over again?
If you answered yes to any of those questions you could be well on your way to disappearing into the dark underworld of hooking.
Table of Contents
Rug Hooking
Rug Hooking, which is considered to be both an art and a craft, became popular after 1830 when carpets became all the rage. Of course, only the rich could afford carpets, so the poor had to figure out a way to make their own. Kind of like how the only way I could afford to have a pizza oven was to make my own.
The poor couldn't afford to use good yarn or fabrics because those were needed for making clothing and quilts, but cruddy, old worn fabrics, those could be used for rug hooking. Strips of whatever they had on hand were either cut or ripped into strips then hooked through whatever backing they could find for free. Most of the time this was the burlap feed sacks their grain came in.
If you're wondering why it is rug hooking isn't as popular as, say quilting, the reason comes down yet again to money; poverty specifically. Quilting was considered a fine art in the 1800's and it's the sort of thing the daughters of rich families would learn along with embroidery and the fine art of eye lash batting. Quilting was always an art of higher status and more sought after by everyone because of that.
Rug hooking? That was for the common folk. People with scabs.
It wasn't until about a century later, in the 1930's that rug hooking started to develop a strong following with artists and it broke free from its lower status.
O.K., that's the short history of hooking.
So what happened a few years ago was I accidentally ended up taking a Saturday morning rug hooking class. My sister, Pink Tool Belt, is an interior decorator and one of her clients is a rug hooker who offered to show my sister how to "do it". She in turn, invited me, my other sister and my mother along to learn too.
I kind of thought we were just going for an hour or so to get a general idea of what rug hooking was. Nope. We were there for the day, we each got everything we needed to hook a rug.
What do you need for rug hooking?
A backing (like linen), a frame to attach the backing to, strips of wool, and a hook.
If you have a larger rug then you should get a stand to hold your rug hooking on as well. I have a DIY tutorial on how to make a rug hooking stand out of a cheap camera tripod.
These are hookers.
Is rug hooking difficult?
Rug hooking is probably the easiest craft I've ever tried. I'm not saying it's easy to excel at, but in terms of technique, you can learn everything you need to know to get started in minutes.
You get a piece of linen the size of the rug you want to make (start with something small like a kitchen mat) and draw a pattern onto it. You can get countless rug hooking patterns and kits from Etsy or you can design your own pattern.
Where skill and practice comes in, is when you get into shading and picking out colours and creating interesting textures and patterns with your wool.
Oh yes. It's all done with 100% wool. This only became popular in the 1900's, the idea of using wool. Before that, it was a matter of using what you had laying around.
Using wool means the rug will be durable just about forever and you can wash it.
And you'll spend an insane amount of money and time trying to find the perfect wool.
Wools can either be solid colour, tweeds, hand dyed, dip dyed, or over dyed.
This is what my kitchen looked like a mere 5 hours after learning how to rug hook. Honestly. 5 hours before this I didn't even really know what rug hooking was.
So how did this happen? It was a pusher.
This is how they do it. You go for a class from a nice, friendly lady who doesn't seem to want anything in return. She gives you everything you need to get started and shows you how to do it for free. Or for a very low fee. And then ... you're in. You're hooked.
This of course is not unlike what a skilled drug pusher does.
If you look closely at this photo, which was taken about an hour after I got home from my class, you'll notice 2 things.
- I've completely pushed all the ingredients for the peanut butter cookies I was going to make out of the way, to make room for the more important thing in my life now, rug hooking.
- I'm a happy hooker. Look at all those bright, fun colours.
By day 3 I hadn't left my living room, or as I like to call it now, my hooking den.
After seeing a wool stand that Pink Tool Belt made out of scraps of wood, I ran to my cupboard to pull out my pasta drying rack. Perfect wool holder.
Something else you might be noticing right about now is that my pictures are crap. I became so enamoured with rug hooking that I couldn't be bothered to drag out my real camera, or set up lights or even really focus my iPhone camera.
It was a struggle to convince myself bathing was a necessity of life.
Because I wasn't entirely sure what I was doing or even what this class was going to be I didn't really put a lot of thought into what I was going to hook, so I decided to just do a sort of rag rug look with all kinds of colours. It'll go in front of my sink in the kitchen and will be the one and only thing with colour in the room.
Yes. Once it's done. A mere 5 years after starting my first rug, I'm not finished it. My sister has since completed countless rugs including a FULL SIZED rug for her front hall.
It's not that I don't love it or don't want to do it ... I just don't. It's very weird. I really do love doing it and love how they look.
It all began with primitive rug hooking and that's the classic look.
1963, $1,750
1940 (this rug is TERRIFYING to me)
1900, $6,500
Now, I love all the antique and primitive rugs, but these slightly contemporary versions from rug hooking artist Joanna Close are heavier on the realism than the folk art. And they're incredible.
Luckily this hobby, doesn't end with something dying if I neglect it. Unlike chickens, dogs, cats or bees.
The other thing you'll need if you become a serious rug hooker is a cutter.
There are 2 ways to get wool for your rug hooking. You can either buy the wool pre-cut and ready to go in any colour you want (which is really expensive). Or you can buy the wool pre-dyed but not cut (which is still expensive) or you can go to thrift stores and find old wool skirts, jackets and blankets, wash it, dye it if you want, then cut the wool into strips yourself. This is the cheapest way to go but there's a bit of an investment in the cost in the machine that cuts the wool.
You could cut the wool strips by hand, but get real. How would I have time for my other hobby of dressing my chickens like 1970's sitcom characters if I did that?
The most popular cutter because of its general indestructibleness, speed and ease of use is the Bee Line Townsend wool cutter. It's about $1,000 with tax.
Or, there's the Canadian made Bolivar which is based on the same design as the Bee Line but it's less money. I'd be happy with either. I'd actually really like to try the Boliver because it's Canadian made and less expensive.
I was VERY close to buying my own cutter within the first week of rug hooking. It's a good thing I didn't. I don't think there's room under the sofa for it.
Having said that, I'm going to make a concerted effort this weekend to put down the laptop and get back to hooking.
Denise Hosner
How about sharing the cost of the cutter with your sisters and mom??
Karen
That was the plan, but we all realized we'd all be the one to want to keep it at our house, lol. My sister Pink Tool Belt has already bought a Beeline Townsend cutter. I'd like to buy my own. We're the ones who are probably going to delve the deepest into this anyway, so we'll share with my mom and other sister. ~ karen!
Jan in Waterdown
Wonder if you could design some kind of jig to make use of an existing table saw (yikes did I just suggest that?) or maybe a band saw? Assuming you have one . . . hmmmm. Oh heck how's about a hand held circular saw, you gotta have one of them puppies! On the other hand, maybe not. Don't want to hear about it on the evening news. Forget I said anything.
Dale
J in W,
OMG...you are just joking about the circular and band saw cutting of cloth.... please!?!
I've seen and heard of the disaster of cloth getting caught in a power saw.
As they say "Don't do this at home"
Jan in Waterdown
Hah! "Don't do this at home"? Where's the fun in that?! My fella is a skilled furniture maker so I am well aware of the potential for blood and tears. Hence the "forget I said anything". ?
Melissa Leach
Can't wait to see your finished rug! You have peaked my interest!!! I'm guessing this is a fairly expensive addiction/hobby and probably not for those with measly paychecks. Great post!
Karen
Not at all Melissa. Spending more money just means things go faster/easier. So instead of buying the $500 cutter you use a rotary wheel and mat. Instead of buying your wool predyed and/or cut, you buy wool clothing from second hand stores and do it yourself. It can be as expensive or inexpensive as you want. A lot of people go in between and invest in the cutter, but only buy second hand clothing for their wool. ~ karen!
Sondra
Don't forget you can also use YARNS! If you do back of chair/sofa rugs, wall hangings, pillows, chair mats, etc. then yarns of all kinds will work fine. Wool yarns also work in floor rugs. Keep an open mind as to what you can use in a "hooked rug" because the list of projects is endless, as are the option for materials, which don't necessarily have to go on the floor.
Pookie
Trying VERY hard to avoid being the grammar police, but who am I kidding? Lt. Pookie of the California Spelling Police, here, to inform you that it's 'piqued' and not 'peaked' that you're looking for. I'm certain it was the early hour of your reply that led to the misspelling. Carry on with what you were doing.
Barbara
You must be part of the same Nazi Grammar Po-Po group I belong to! I read the written word with a red pencil in my brain! 😂
Liz
Loved your rug Hooking article. You have explained all the wonderful feelings we hookers get while creating and sharing with lots of new friends. I started two years ago and now totally "hooked". Heading to Port Charlotte Convention Center in Florida to the Hookin. Can't wait. Thank you!
Lynda
I've attended that show several years while on vacation in Naples. Highly recommend!
Monique
Fabulous, funny post..you really got into it!
Hooked pieces are beautiful..how fun you went with your mom too..I'm going to paint night next Monday w/ my 2 daughters..thankfully I have paints and canvases..so I may not be running out to get more..
the peanut butter cookies made me laugh..and bathing....I love a great hobby.
Katie
I've been reading your blog for quite a while and this is the first time I've been compelled to write. I want to be a hooker! I'm starting my wool collection today!
Thanks for the lovely source of enjoyment.
Ryn
I don't think I have the patience to do it. However, my dad has said that my grandma was a great hooker.
Paul
I'm not interested in being a hooker at all but of course I had to go look up the cutter. The Bee Line has a website, http://beelinearttools.com/products and has way too many options for the cutter heads.
I did notice that they are made in Bettendorf, IA and will rebuild older units if you happen to find one.
Heather
I always knew that you rocked! I became a hooker about 2 years ago. Never looked back. I am seriously impressed with the total destruction of your home. Most people only achieve this after many years. Over achievers...
I purchased a Bliss cutter on ebay. Try looking there. For wool fabric...Salvation Army. Wash, dry, cut. Nova Scotia has a proliferation of seriously great rug hooking stores...Deanne Fitzpatrick and Encompassing Designs for another.
I did a portrait of my chocolate Lab...in purple. Go for it. Worse case scenario...you have a weird wool rug. :)
Debbie Schrang
Welcome to the dark side! (insert evil laugh) Addicting? you betcha - I've been hooking for 44 years now, am at a hook in here in Florida as I write this, and have no intention of stopping till they close my coffin lid. You'll love it!
Mike
"How would I have time for my other hobby of dressing my chickens like 1970’s sitcom characters if I did that?"
That's the best comedic line I've ever heard a hooker say.
A dirty hooker, at that.
Please bathe. A clean hooker is a happy hooker.
P.S - The subject matter/design for your next rug could be Cheez Whiz dressed as Mary Tyler Moore. Or Fonzie. Radar O'Reilly?
Lynda Johnston, Totally Hooked Designs
I'm a hooker, and let me tell ya, hookin' ain't easy, BUT it's fun on many levels and the results are totally worth it. To save money (because it can be expensive), I use repurposed blankets, garments and fabric remnants. I always recommend that newbies go the traditional route to learn the basics and see where they want to take it. To see the direction I have gone, feel free to visit my Instagram page. I'm also on Facebook and Pinterest.
Karen
LOVE your pillows Lynda. Makes so much sense to make pillows. Faster, less bulky, fun! Great designs ~ karen!
Laurinda
Following! (But I still haven't found that type of frame online yet. Pinterest has failed me)
Lynda
I don't use a frame. I prefer a hoop. A very experienced hooker I know doesn't use any type of frame or hoop AND she cuts all her strips by hand. To each their own.
Tigersmom
And here I thought I was going to find out if I had the required aptitude for a back up career I could do on my back.
Love your colorful rug. Pleasantly surprised you didn't go with black and white. I guess a pasta cutter wouldn't work (even though those strips of wool look like so much beautifully died fettucini to me)?
Denise
hahahahahaha - your first paragraph just tickled my fancy!
Nan Tee
Happy for you, Karen. I admit, my hopes were up when you said 'hooking,' thinking yout meant crochet, but you are making art! Wonderful! Please, don't forget the chickens. :) Happy crafting!
jainegayer
Karen, you have crossed over to the dark side! LOL
Susan Sutherland
As a long time hooker I am thrilled you discovered this North American pioneer craft which today is considered fibre art. Our fore mothers hooked out of necessity but today we honour their tradition when we hook and create beautiful pieces of art for floors, walls, cushions, mug mats, 3 D items, the list goes on and on. My Australian rug hooking friends use any material that doesn't fray so they will cut up tee shirts, jogging outfits, anything that has the colour they want. They use scissors or a rotary cutter to cut the fabric. To find a rug hooking teacher in Ontario check out The Ontario Hooking Craft Guild. It is also celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. To me rug hooking is like yoga, pulling those loops is very soothing for the mind. Oh yes, check out Deanne Fitzpatrick and also Encompassing Designs for patterns, kits, etc. And Face Book has a lot of rug hooking groups. And check out pinterest for ideas too! Sorry, I'm rambling about my fantastic passion. In fact I'm heading off to a two-day hook-in today in Punta Gorda, Florida. We hookers like to congregate as well!
Ter'e
Hey Susan,
You hooking with Julie and Chris????? They are simply the best. (Searsport Rug Hooking) They have talent in their little toes!!!!! And since Julie is always barefoot........you know what I mean. Two of the best.
Have fun.
Susan Sutherland
I will tell Julie and Chris about your comment! They are the best and have organized this wonderful hook-in. Karen's post has generated a lot of comments on the Wild with Wool Group on Face Book. We rug hookers love it when others find out about our wonderful world of hooking!!
Allyson
What Susan didn't mention is that she is a fantastic hooker and well renowned for her work. I, too, am a proud hooker, as all hookers are. And yes, the hooker jokes abound whenever hookers are together! Karen, you've opened a can of worms, and if you know that your wool strips are called worms, then you understand the double entendre there!
As Susan has said, there are lots of resources for hooking supplies, patterns, groups, and inspiration. A few of your readers are clearly hookers, so you need only ask if you want any more info. A used cutter, well, you may be waiting a while but they do occasionally pop up on Ebay, Kijiji, etc. Probably better to ask your teacher to keep her ears open for anyone wanting to sell one.
Sondra (Van Huss) Oravetz
I just found your site and was amused and intrigued with all your projects. Now you're adding hooking! You know that hooking can become a disease and the only cure is drowning yourself in WOOL! . I got a real chuckle reading your post and many of the comments. I could relate easily! About cutters. Check eBay and rug hooking Guilds for sales. There's also a Rug Hooker's Magazine. I have the Townsend and it's the best cutter I've owned by far. Buy the basic cutter and the one cutter head that cuts the size/s you think you like best and leave the others for later. You're hooked now! I look forward to seeing your new hobby blossom and reading about it!
Marilyn
Oh I could really get into this hooking thing
Delores
Love this! Do you know of any good online tutorials?
Could you cut the wool with a rotary cutter and quilting ruler?
Heather
For a really great tutorial, go to Deanne Fitzpatrick's website. She offers a downloadable 45 minute lesson. $9.95 best money you will spend.
you can cut with a rotary cutter...it just takes longer.
Barb
I am a second generation stripper and hooker ( the wonderful gadget that cuts wool is called a stripper). I use only 100% recycled wool. There are guilds and hooking groups all over, and wonderful books, too. Check out Barb Caroll , Edith O'Neill, and the Rug Hooking Facebook group for primitive patterns and ideas. Keep true to the history by using wool ! happy hooking!
Brenda
Ha ha - hookin' an stripin' - and doin' a little thingin' ... KAREN ... come out come out where ever you are ... you've left all your little woollies wondering where you went - ha ha - we know where though - haha