Guide to Hand Hooked Rugs

Original Hand Hooked Mat, designed and hooked by Wild Cranberry Hooked Rugs. Sold on Ebay in 2005.

     Hooked Rugs have been in existance for centuries.  First thought to be created out of necessity, to warm the cold floors of pioneer homes, they soon became a favorite pass time of many.  The oldest of  hooked rugs are wrought on homespun linen type of backing, with wide strips of cloth pulled through into a series of loops making the  pile.  Later, burlap became available, in the form of feedsacks or  later, stamped patterns. 

Rug in Progress, Wild Cranberry Hooked Rugs

   Traditional hooked rugs are made by using a  type of crochet hook that is set in some kind of handle.

     The wool  cloth is cut into long strips and then pulled through the backing.  This is something you be aware of on Ebay, many listings profess to be selling Original Hand Hooked Rugs, but if you look closely,  some are machine hooked by hand on cotton and made in China. Buyer beware! These rugs do not seem to  increase in value as many are mass produced.  I have seen many people bid up into the hundreds of  dollars for a supposed hand hooked rug that is machine made.  It takes a great deal of time and wool to make a hand hooked rug. One square foot of hooked area can take between 4-6 hours to complete, and will require 4-5 times it's surface area in wool.  Once the design is drawn onto the foundation, the wool must be dyed and cut into strips.  When hooking is complete, the rug must be "blocked" (steam pressed with an iron), laid flat for 12 hours, and then the edges finished.  There are many ways to finish the rug's edges, it is mostly a personal preferance, there is no right or wrong method.  The most popular method is with cotton twill rug tape.  Other methods included whipping over cording in an overcast stitch with wool yarn, crochet edge from wool yarn, braided edge or flat wool binding.   

Wool Crochet Whipped Binding, Designed and Hooked by Wild Cranberry Hooked Rugs. Sold on Ebay 2005.

   Some of  the categories of hooked rugs in demand are:  Pictorials, Animals,  Geometrics, Florals,  Story Rugs and other Original One of a Kind designs. Some proclaim that linen is the most durable of backings to rug hook into, but many others believe that burlap is also as durable; the oldest rug in my region in existance, is over 150 years old and is hooked on  burlap.

Geometric Gameboard Rug, Designed and Hooked by Wild Cranberry Hooked Rugs, Sold on Ebay in 2005.

     What hooked rugs increase in value? It is said that any rug that is  hooked by hand, and well taken care of, will increase in value. To 
take care of your hooked rug, you need to be aware that textiles 
should not be placed in direct sun. This will fade the colors and weaken the fibre.  If you need to clean your rug, many recommend a light sweep or if you must use the vaccuum, place it on the lowest suction possible, or it could pull up all the loops of wool.  To remove a stain, you must be very careful that you do not ruin the colors and it is not recommended to soak a rug ! Many suggest taking a sponge with a bit of lukewarm water and a bit of Ivory suds and blotting the stain.  I always add 1 teaspoon of vinegar to the water. Be very wary of the color red, it does have a tendancy to run. Many like to freshen their rugs in the late winter, by placing the rug in the snow, and sweeping the snow onto the rug. As they brush away the snow, the dirt is removed.  

     To store your rugs, roll them up with the pile (right side) facing outwards.  I know many who place their rolled mats in nylon knee high stockings and hang them in a closet.  Moths are natural enemies of hooked rugs, they are mostly looking for soiled areas in the fiber, but in the process chew up beautiful textiles!  Cedar is a natural repellant, as is Lavendar and Lemon Oil. There are many  concoctions on the market for repelling moths, the best way is to 
store your rugs cleanly, and to occasionally air them outside for an hour or so. 

Wild Cranberry Hooked Rugs