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.
Linda
Rug Hooking can also be done with a variety of materials besides wool.
Check out Deanne Fitzpatrick's website http://www.hookingrugs.com
Fabulous on-line classes.
chloe | boxwood avenue
I think I decided.... I'm not cut out for hooking! I am the queen of unfinished jobs ;)
Karen
HAH!!! That's the exact type of comment I like to have my mother read and watch her face as it finally dawns on her what you mean. After a lot of prodding from me. ~ karen!
Josephine
I have done some hooking but not with wool and I designed a cabin, pine trees and surrounded in wild flowers but got stuck on the sky. I have put it aside for now. I was giving a hooked rug that was done between 75 to 100 years ago and is a picture of the Blue Nose. I treasure it!
I couple of years ago I started on braiding rugs. Using 2 inch wool strips (or at least mostly wool). The nice thing about using wool is that you can RIP the strips.That is another way you can tell if there is enough wool in the material, it will rip really easy. Also wool will not burn so I am told.
For hooking, the strips may be too thin to rip.
Enjoy Karen! Maybe you will look at rug braiding some day.
Chris
I'm a hooker too, but not a stripper! (The traditional method, pulling loops, but with yarn instead of wool strips.) See my work at http://dunroaminfarm.com/fiber-art-gallery/
Laura Bee
Gateway post. One minute I am looking at pretty pictures - oohing and ahhhing and laughing at your clever words.. The next I am recalling all the wool & silk I've seen recently at the thrifts & if they might still be there Monday...Oh what a tangled web. I do not need another thing to obsess over. I have a friend who is a beautiful hooker.
And somehow I installed Instagram for Chrome. I think I have at least.
Karen
I know. My mother is obsessed. ~ karen!
Dianne
I have a Townsend cutter and love it. When I bought mine Sharon Townsend owned the business. I live in PA and went to Vermont to take a class from Polly Minnick. What a fun time we had. Sharon Townsend was also in the class. She was one of the few people who did not have any kind of cutter! She hand cut all of her wool for her beautiful hooking! We had so much fun laughing with her about the irony of that. Happy hooking and enjoy your addiction.
Sally Van Nuys
I am the pusher! Start rug hooking, and you will never look back. I have a bunch of free info and how-to info on my web site that can help you get started.
http://www.folkandfiber.com/Learn.html
It's rewarding, fun, and easy to learn. Try it, you'll like it!!
Cussot
Hooking is devilishly hard on the hands, I find. You're sure fast! I'm still using a couple of utilitarian mats I made years ago with hand-cut undyed blanket strips. Kool-Aid works as a dye on recycled blanket as well - lovely, soft colours.
Jill Cooper
OMG you have such a way with words! Too funny and EXACTLY how it happens. I've been happily hooking for many years and also was a dyer for many - so much fun.
Sandy
I think I would enjoy this. We need instructions and a video. Please!
Martina Lesar
Would I make a good hooker????? Hmmmmm, well Ive opened up shop and get paid to do it.....I guess I do. It was wonderful meeting you.
Karen
:) Thanks for your help Martina! I'm sure you'll be hearing from all of us again, lol. ~ karen!
Cred
If you're truly addicted to hooking, and you need funds for the cutter, there is a way you can make money- same way many addicts do. Hooking for hooking- let someone else blow their wad so you don't have to.
Robyn Belsvik
Karen, I've been a rug hooker for the past 20 years and have amassed hundreds of yards of hand dyed and recycled wool and have taught classes throughout the years, even to children. The people who have the hardest time learning to hook have been quilters! I think it is the need for "perfection" and primitive hooking is all about not looking "perfect"! I have two cutters, a Bliss and a Fraser (I like my Bliss best) and a Puritan frame (which I hate). I use a large quilting hoop on a lap stand that turns 360 degrees. I have never seen the kind of frame you are using. When I first got started, my frame was a wooden rectangle on a lap stand and you used large tacks to keep your burlap attached!
My best advice to all newbies is "get thee self to the thrift stores" and look for 100 percent wool shirts and skirts. Skip blazers as there is too much stuck on interfacing material. Pants are ok, too. And of course thick wool yarn will also work if you are not planning on using it as a rug. Actually, if you are making a pillow or wall hanging, you can pretty much use whatever materials suit your fancy. Just make sure to use pure wool on things you are going to maybe have to clean.
Once you have purchased your thrift shop wool, take it IMMEDIATELY to your washing machine and throw it in on hot. NEVER wait to wash your wool as there can be "wool moths" inside the seams and if you get them in your house, oy vey! They are super hard to get rid of. Wash on hot using a tiny bit of soap and then pop into your dryer. You want the wool to get nice and thick.
I use Monks Cloth for my backing, it is cheaper than linen and can be washed.
Have fun!
Barbie
I was so excited when I read this post last night that I could hardly sleep! I have been a hooker for over 10 years now… Belong to the inland northwest hooking club. I'm so excited for you!! and you have nice little "soldiers in a row" so our ladies call them. Which means nice even loops .... Your rugs going to look nice. Don't fret about the price of the Townsend cutter. Many hookers like myself have gone years without one ....always dreaming of having one of course. There are many used ones online and I bought a "Fraser" for my first one and I think it was around 100 bucks. They are more spendy now but like I said you can find them used. However I would advise you not to try to use a rotary cutter it will drive you crazy and take too much time. If you get involved in one of the hooking clubs, trust me someone will end up knowing someone that has one for sale and will have all kinds of great ideas. I bet you would love Deanna Fitzpatrick's patterns… I am happy to share any links to great hooking deals with you if you like! Also have a great frame source too if you like ... I'm so excited for you! I love hooking! It centers and calms my overachiever personality! Lolol
Karen
Hi Barbie! Yes, I know the rotary cutter isn't the way to go for me. :) I've already had 2 offers of a Fraser and a Bliss. :) But my sister has bought the Townsend cutter already! So I'll borrow hers until I can get one for myself. I'll probably go for the Canadian made Bolivar which isn't as well known but is based on the same design as the Townsend and is much cheaper. ~ karen!
Wendy
Oh my goodness.
Totally up my alley, as they say.
And hookers hang out in alleys too, don't they.
I always knew I was meant for something other this.
Wendy
Sondra
Learning to design your own rug hooking projects is not all that difficult either. Check out some of my tips on my blog by clicking my name above. I haven't been too good about keeping up this blog due to family/health issues along with being drug in another direction over the last couple of years but I think I have many ideas on the site that some hookers might find useful. Dreaming up your own projects is liberating and very satisfying and will open up a whole new world of rug hooking pleasure. Dream, explore those ideas and create your own designs!
Karen
Oh that pattern portion of it will probaby be my favourite part Sondra! I'll have a look. Thx. ~ karen!
Shanelle
We've just moved from Mozambique to the UK in December. I'm please to report there is a kit for EVERYTHING! Seriously, there's even a "Paint your own Russian nesting doll set". No excuse to ever be bored again! :)
robert
Oh Karen! What are we gonna do with you? Clone you maybe so you can do a lot more things? Or we could try to get you a time turner so you can have more hours in a day? Having said that, I've never really liked this particular kind of rug. And now another question, would you renounce to be a hooker if Idris Elba asked you in a totally incomprehensible way? Because let's be honest, he'll never ask you to stop doing something that makes you so happy
Amanda Pedro
I just saw the Bolivar cutter this weekend at a friend's house. Rug hooking is a very popular thing here in Nova Scotia. It always starts a bidding war at the auctions. Coasters and tree ornaments are also great, not a big commitment projects. There is a hooker's club in my town. i go and visit every now and then, and they are very welcoming and talented. I am just too afraid to cross over.
you go girl!
Nancy Blue Moon
Great hobby Karen...I want to see the finished rug....