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“RUG
HOOKING BASIC INSTRUCTIONS”
Rug Hooking is the art
of pulling loops of wool yarn or woolen strips of fabric through the mesh of the backing material which creates a beautiful
old fashion rug or wall hanging. The patterned backing should be put in a frame to keep it tight which makes pulling the loops
up easier and the design even. As the loops are repeated, it forms a soft pile
which creates your design as you combine your different colors and shades.
THE SIMPLE ACT OF HOOKING
1. Hold your hook in the righ hand over
your pattern. In the left hand hold the wool or woolen strip
underneath the pattern backing. (Reverse the position
of the hands only if you are left-handed).
2. Push the hook through the top of the backing, sliding the smooth
shank of the hook down between your forefinger and thumb, catching hold of the yarn or wool strip underneath your pattern.
When you start, pull up the strip bringing the end through to the topside to a height of approximately 1”. Continue
making even loops to fill design.
NOTE: All ends are
pulled through to the top and cut later to be even with the pile.
Next push your hook through the next hole and pull up a loop to a height
of about 1/8”. Working in a direction towards yourself, keep pulling up loops as even as you can, and skipping a hole
every so often to keep the loops from being packed too tightly. If you cannot see each individual loop, you are over packing.
HELPFUL
HINTS
Hooks vary in thickness and you will
find your favorite. Finer hooks are for fine cuts of wool yarn or woolen strips of fabric.
Our designs will state “fine cut” if that is recommended and the backing will match the fine design. However,
larger hooks are for primitive hooking which means larger widths of wool yarn or woolen strips of fabric which is used on
a larger square of backing material. Again our designs will state if suitable for “primitive” and the primitive
backing will coincide with the design. Both fine cut and primitive have a beauty of their own.
Frames vary and again it’s a personal choice. For the beginner
I would recommend a very strong embroidery hoop to start. There are many different
frames on the market. Over time you will find which frame is right for you.
The height of your loops is usually the same as the width of the wool yarn or woolen strips you are using. If you find you are twisting
your loops, try holding the strip underneath very close to the backing. The aim
is to keep the underneath hooking as smooth as the front. When hooking with wide strips (1/4-1/2”) hold the hook in
the palm of your hand and insert into the backing at a sharp angle. Hopefully this way you will find it easier to hook and
also assist you in keeping the loops even. If you find you are pulling out the previous loop just hooked, try slightly twisting
the hook away from you as you pull up the wool yard or woolen strip.
The most popular backing used for hooking is burlap which comes in a fine weave or open weave for primitives. However there are some linens, monk cloth and rug warp depending on their weave that are also used today.
You will discover which backing you prefer with experience.
Finishing First: Stitch two rows around
the pattern, the first ¼” from the pattern and the second ½” from the pattern. (straight stitch or zigzag). Take 1 ½ “cotton binding (which has been washed and pressed) and sew the binding,
starting away from the corners, approximately 1 ½” from your pattern edge on the right side of your backing. Miter the
binding and the backing at the corners. Do not cut the backing at this time as you will need the length to fit the frame.
Completion: When your pattern has been completely hooked, chose a cording that makes the edge as high as the hooking and baste
all around the pattern. The basting stitch should touch the stitching of the binding. Whip stitch with yarn over the cording
all around your pattern. (Yarn color should compliment your design.) Cut left over burlap and do final stitching of the binding
by hand carefully to the rug.
On-line assistance available,
email Linda at:
artsy@xplornet.com
Enjoy your artistic creations in rug hooking and we trust you have many
happy adventures in this field.
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