TheHistory

A hooked rug is made by pulling loops of yarn or rag strips up through a loosely woven foundation cloth, using a tool like a crochet hook. Eventually, these loops of different kinds of material in a variety of colours create a design which covers the whole foundation and forms a sturdy mat.

In the mid-19th century when hooked rugs were first made, floor covering was a luxury in Canada. The hooked rug solved the problem of covering cold floors cheaply and was the final stage in the recycling of hand-me-down clothing. In recent decades the art of rug making has transitioned from practical floor coverings to contemporary art on the walls of galleries, museums and homes.