This March, Heather Parker, one of our resident Fiber Arts Friends, would like to teach you the traditional art of rug hooking. Fiber Arts Friends meet every Wednesday from 10:00 am to 12:00 pm and the 2nd and 4th Wednesday of the month from 5:45 pm to 7:45 pm. So come on in and try your hand at pulling some woolen loops through linen!
The traditional art of rug hooking as we know it originated in Canada. While looking for a brief history of rug hooking to share for this blog post, I came across an article on the Halifax Public Library Website, Hooked on Rugs: Weaving History into Every Loop, written by Sarah, staff member, Lou Duggan Creative Studio, Central Library on January 30, 2025. This article provides a concise and comprehensive history of rug hooking. Rather than attempting to reinvent the wheel, I am just going to share her article with you here.
Hooked on Rugs: Weaving History into Every Loop
January 30, 2025
Written by Sarah, staff member, Lou Duggan Creative Studio, Central Library
A Brief History of Rug Hooking
Rug hooking is a traditional fibre art that has deep roots in Atlantic Canada. Known for its intricate designs and creative use of materials, rug hooking is a versatile craft that can be used to create everything from functional floor coverings to decorative pillows, wall hangings, and even coasters. At its core, rug hooking involves pulling colourful strips of fabric or yarn through a sturdy woven base, creating loops that form beautiful patterns and textures.
While rug hooking as we know it today has a special place in Atlantic Canadian culture, its origins stretch back much further. Some of the earliest examples of looped rugs have been discovered in Egyptian tombs. Evidence suggests that the Vikings brought this craft to Scotland, where it continued to evolve. By the 19th century, rug hooking became particularly popular in England, where workers in weaving mills would repurpose small fabric scraps (called thrums) into home projects.
Rug Hooking in Atlantic Canada
The craft took root in North America during the 1800s, especially in Atlantic Canada and New England, where it became known as Primitive Rug Hooking. In these early days, rug makers—often called “hookers”—would tear old clothing into strips and hook them through burlap sacks, creating warm, functional floor coverings. It was considered a craft of poverty born out of necessity, making use of fabric scraps and discarded materials to create rugs that were both beautiful and practical.
By the early 20th century, rug hooking began to gain popularity, especially with the introduction of commercial patterns. In Newfoundland, there are stories of peddlers traveling door-to-door, buying and trading for hand-hooked rugs that would later be sold in Upper Canada. In Nova Scotia, a man named John E. Garrett began printing burlap patterns from his home in New Glasgow. His “Bluenose Patterns, opens a new window” became so popular that at one point, Garrett’s company was the largest producer of rug hooking patterns in the world.
However, with the rise of mass-produced carpets and affordable flooring, rug hooking saw a decline in interest by the mid-1900s. By the 1970s, it was considered a quaint folk craft of the past. But as often happens with traditional arts, small groups of passionate enthusiasts worked to preserve the craft. In 1979, the The Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia, opens a new window (RHGNS) was formed to promote and support the art of rug hooking, and in 2011, the The Hooked Rug Museum of Nova Scotia, opens a new window in Queensland opened its doors, ensuring that this unique part of our cultural heritage would not be forgotten.
A Craft for Today
In recent years, rug hooking has experienced a resurgence. It’s now seen as a creative, accessible, and even meditative craft that welcomes beginners and seasoned crafters alike. The craft offers endless possibilities for exploring texture, colour, and design, making it a favorite for artists and hobbyists. Beginner rug hooking kits can be found in many local shops, and the art form is gaining recognition thanks in part to the efforts of influential artists like Newfoundland’s Deanne Fitzpatrick, opens a new window, whose workshops, kits, and stunning designs have sparked renewed interest.
References
Books
Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia Teachers Branch. 2022. The Garrett Bluenose Patterns : Celebrating Nova Scotia’s Rug Hooking Heritage. Halifax, NS: Nimbus Publishing Limited.
Fitzpatrick, Deanne. 2016. Rug Hooking with Deanne Fitzpatrick : Featuring over 40 Distinctively Deanne Rugs from the Past 20 Years. Northbrook, IL: Ampry Publishing.
Websites
Rug Hooking Guild of Nova Scotia, opens a new window
Rug Hooking Museum of Nova Scotia, opens a new window
New Hampshire Folk Life, opens a new window