Rug Hooking.

Rug hooking is both an art and a craft where rugs are made by pulling loops of fabric through a stiff base such as linen, burlap, monk’s cloth, or rug warp. The loops are pulled through the backing material using a hook.

The original history of rug hooking is still unknown. Historians believe it originated sometime between the third and seventh centuries. The earliest versions can be found in Egypt, China, and Scotland. However, the rug hooking as we know it today was developed in the 19th century in New England and the Canadian Maritimes.

Rug hooking was initially considered a poor person’s craft. They used burlap and any available strips of cloth they could salvage. Hooked rugs were thus an affordable and accessible alternative to more expensive carpets imported from England or other international sources.