Thursday, 11 November 2010

Rags To Riches: The North American Art Of Hooked Rugs

BOSTON, November 20, 2010 -- It is always fascinating to see how rugs in so many parts of the world originated as practical necessities but evolved into items of art.

One example is hooked rugs.

They are a peculiarly North American creation that began as floor coverings and today are just as likely to be prized wall hangings.

In the process, they have become one of the more enduring handcrafts in Canada and the United States and a medium for endless creativity.

Just how wide ranging they can be is shown in the rug below by Massachusetts artist Margaret Arraj.

It is in the style of a Khotan carpet from east Turkestan in the 1700s, inspired by the original in the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York.

Arraj, whose rugs are for sale at her website Mill River Rugs is particularly interested in ethnic floral designs and old textiles.

As she says, her designs “honor the artistic life and tradition of a variety of countries. In this way, they bring us closer to other cultures and times.”

But most hooked rugs do not wander so far from home.

Instead, they take their themes from North American folk culture as they depict flowers, wildlife, people, historical events, geometric patterns or simply express the imagination of the artist.

And in that way, hooked rugs today remain surprisingly close to their origins in the in the 19th century.

Just how hooked rugs evolved in the 1800s is a fascinating story.

Author William Winthrop Kent writes that the earliest forebears of hooked rugs were the floor mats made in Yorkshire, England in the early days of the industrial revolution.

At that time, workers in weaving mills were allowed to collect the excess pieces of yarn that were by-products of the work. The pieces, which were called “thrums” and usually some 9 inches (23 cm) long, were valuable to the workers because yarn in general was expensive and the products of the mills were affordable only to the middle and upper classes.

The mill workers put the thrums to good use.

They pulled the strips of yarn, one by one, through a grid backing to make carpets. The backing was linen or burlap or any other such heavy material and the tool for pulling the yarn through was a simple hook with a wooden handle.

Later, this technique transferred to North America, specifically to New England and the Canadian Maritimes, and flourished.

It became a favorite way for poorer households in these regions to produce colorful floor covering at a time when most 19th century homes had unsightly floors that were hastily cobbled together by the builders from softwood boards of random sizes.

Because yarn was expensive, and always saved for knitting sweaters, poor families without access to thrums usually made their hooked rugs using scraps of ordinary cloth.

But no matter what fabric was used, the hooked rugs were more attractive than the common alternative at the time: inexpensive mats woven from coconut fiber, straw, or corn husks.

Here is an antique hooked rug. It is available to collectors from the Nazmiyal Collection in New York.

One might expect hooked rugs to have died out once machine-powered carpet weaving, invented in the 1830s, developed sufficiently to produce cheap carpeting in massive volumes. And by the 1870s, machine weaving was doing just that to solve people’s flooring problems.

But instead of disappearing, the pastime of “hooking rugs” passed from being a household chore into a hobby.

Over time, as standards of living improved with the industrial revolution, the materials used in the rugs also upgraded.

By the 1930s, when artists and author Pearl McGown widely popularized the art by publishing formal guidelines for it, the “pile” material had become wool strips and the rugs – as they are still called – had become wall hangings.

In their heyday as a floor covering, hooked rugs were often produced by poorer families and even businesses for sale commercially.

The most ambitious products were hooked carpets of living-room size.

Here is an antique hooked rug – 12.5 feet by 16 feet (3.8 x 4.8 meters) – designed in the style of a baroque European carpet.

Such old pieces today are highly prized and are sold by some dealers in North America as “American Hooked” rugs right alongside antique oriental ones.

And, because there is not enough supply of the large antique hooked rugs to meet demand, there is also a market for reproductions. That's as some American decorators try to recapture the look of New England homes of days gone by, particularly for vacation cottages.

The commercial reproductions, made outside of North America, exist side-by-side with the very active output of rug hooking hobbyists and artists across Canada and the United States.

As always, the hobbyists continue to hook rugs for their friends and family but, unfortunately, only rarely for sale.

For a video demonstration of how hooked rugs are made, and examples of folk art motifs, click on this YouTube link:



#

RETURN TO HOME PAGE

#

Related Links:

Mill River Rugs: Gallery of New Hooked Rugs

Absolute Rugs: Gallery of Antique Hooked Rugs

Gene Shepherd Rug Hooking Video

30 comments:

Katlin Farrell Choate, Mercer Floors said...

Thank you for the informative post on a traditional American craft. I'd love to feature this post on my blog (Let's Talk About Floors) because of my reader's interest in products made in the USA.

If you approve, I'd like to post a short snippit of this post on my blog with a 'read more' link directing people to the full post. This would also include a short blurb about your blog.

I look forward to hearing from you & your next post.

Buffalo Grove Carpet Cleaning said...

Although those rugs could look good on the wall near my cupboard, I can't help but think how careful one must be on those, especially in the realm of carpet cleaning. Mount Prospect seem to have a lot of houses with that kind of rug. I don't know if it's a fad there or it's their tradition, but you've got to admit, it's very tasteful to have inside the house.

Unknown said...

lacoste polo shirts, http://www.lacostepoloshirts.cc/
michael kors bags, http://www.michaelkorsbags.uk/
louis vuitton, http://www.louisvuitton.in.net/
air max 90, http://www.airmax90.us.com/
nike trainers, http://www.niketrainers.me.uk/
dansko outlet, http://www.dansko-shoes.us/
jordan shoes, http://www.jordanshoes.us.com/
ray ban sunglasses, http://www.raybansunglassesonline.us.com/
hermes birkin, http://www.hermesbirkin.org/
swarovski crystal, http://www.swarovskicrystals.co.uk/
barbour coats, http://www.belstaff.us.com/
ugg boots, http://www.uggaustralia.in.net/
true religion outlet, http://www.truereligionoutletstore.us.com/
nike free uk, http://www.nikefreerunning.org.uk/
replica handbags, http://www.replicahandbag.us.com/
air jordan 4, http://www.airjordan4.org/
ugg sale, http://www.uggoutlet.org.uk/
christian louboutin, http://www.scarpelouboutin.it/
louis vuitton outlet, http://www.louisvuittonoutletstore.name/
prada shoes, http://www.pradashoes.us/
michael kors factory outlet, http://www.discountuggboots.in.net/
cyber monday deals, http://www.blackfridaydeals.us.com/
swarovski jewelry, http://www.swarovski.in.net/
tory burch shoes, http://www.toryburchshoesoutlet.com/
nike free, http://www.nikefreerunning.org/
20151014caihuali

شركة بن طامى said...

شركة تنظيف بالرياض

شركة تنظيف خزانات بالرياض

شركة تنظيف شقق بالرياض

شركة نظافة بالرياض

شركة تنظيف بيوت بالرياض

شركة تنظيف مجالس بالرياض

شركة تنظيف موكيت بالرياض

شركة تنظيف كنب بالرياض

شركة تنظيف فلل بالرياض

شركة تنظيف منازل بالرياض

شركة جلى بلاط بالرياض

شركة عزل بالرياض

شركة عزل خزانات بالرياض

شركة عزل اسطح بالرياض

شركة كشف تسربات بالرياض

شركة كشف تسربات المياة بالرياض

raybanoutlet001 said...

ray ban sunglasses
ugg outlet
polo ralph lauren
oakley sunglasses
nike outlet
ralph lauren outlet
ray ban sunglasses outlet
ugg boots
gucci shoes
ugg boots

randyorthon@460 said...

Thanks for sharing this content with us
carpet tiles suppliers dubai

Unknown said...

zzzzz2018.5.25
moncler online
canada goose jackets
ralph lauren uk
fitflops sale
chrome hearts
air jordan 8
polo ralph lauren
true religion jeans
pittsburgh steelers jersey
off white clothing

5689 said...

jordan shoes
canada goose outlet
coach outlet
coach outlet online
canada goose
michael kors outlet
ralph lauren polo
fitflops clearance
adidas outlet
ralph lauren
zzzzz2018.9.14

Mir vs Nelson 2 live said...

Want to watch Nelson vs Mir 2 live? We explain how to watch Bellator 231 Mir vs Nelson (Rematch) online from anywhere, using with DAZN.
Mir vs Nelson 2 live stream

Sydney 7s live said...

The Western sydney 7s 2020 streaming is Australia's newest premier Rugby Sevens tournament, which is an exciting sporting spectacle for Western Sydney and NSW.

Pumas vs France rugby live tv said...

The June Internationals will seize to exist with restructuring making them the July Internationals. Los Pumas will thereby play in July at home and in November in Europe. The Rugby Championship will fall in between, giving Los Pumas 12 test matches.

Khabib Ferguson live stream said...

It’s time to watch UFC 249 live stream online without TV cable right? This article will help you to watch Khabib vs Ferguson fight online without tv from anywhere. UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will defend former UFC interim champion Tony Ferguson at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, April 18, 2020.

Australia Ireland live rugby said...

The IRFU has worked closely with our provincial colleagues and our partners in Rugby Players Ireland to move to protect the future of Irish Rugby and this arrangement will allow Irish Rugby the breathing space required in relation to cashflow that can ensure that when this crisis abates, we still have a business that can deliver for all those that play and love rugby. The situation will obviously remain under continuous review in case further action is required.

Watch UFC 249 said...

It’s time to watch UFC 249 live stream online without TV cable right? This article will help you to watch Khabib vs Ferguson fight online without tv from anywhere. UFC lightweight champion Khabib Nurmagomedov will defend former UFC interim champion Tony Ferguson at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York, April 18, 2020.

UFC 250 free streaming said...

Nurmagomedov’s weakness has always been in his amazing performance, but in the last games, although he is still far from the elite figures under his feet, we have seen his improvement in standing position.Ferguson is one of the most comprehensive fighters in the UFC.

wallabies vs ireland 2020 tickets said...

IRELAND skipper Peter O’Mahony says his team will have to top their unbeaten Six Nations run if they’re to level the Test series against Australia. After their 18-9 opening Test disappointment, Ireland are looking to rebound in game two tonight in Melbourne (8pm AEST) to keep the series alive for a decider the following weekend in Sydney. Ireland haven’t beaten the Wallabies for 38 years in Australia but, having made eight changes to start their strongest available team, this represents their best chance. O’Mahony, handed the captaincy reins in the absence of injured regular skipper Rory Best, said his team needed to play better than they had in more than a year to break that long-standing record.

Whyte vs Povetkin live said...

Dillian ‘The Villian’ Whyte is a British and he is a professional boxer. He was born inaPort Antonio, Portland, Jamaica. He born on April 11, 1988. When he was 12 years old, Dillian along with his family moved to the UK. While living in Jamaica, Dillian Whyte didn’tareceive any education at all. It was hard times as children were trying to survive situations no child at such an age should. After he had moved to the UK, Whyte was living in Brixton with his family. Whyte found his love for boxing at Miguel’s Boxing Gym.

Super Rugby Aotearoa 2020 live Stream said...

Super Rugby Online offers HD-quality live streaming service across the globe. Here you can watch Super Rugby live stream without downloading or installing any software, hardware, VPN or cable, just need an internet connection into your PC, laptop, Tab, iPad, iPhone, and other smart devices. Super rugby online service can be easily accessible all over the globe, no country restriction and you can enjoy limitless streaming in one place. Hurry Up, get your premium subscription and enjoy all sports along with thousands of Movies, TV shows, kids Show and more in just one little package.

UFC 250 live online said...

Due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic, Wineland gets the chance to comeback to work after being left on the bench. At UFC on ESPN 8 in March, He was scheduled to take on Marlon Vera when government limitations prompted the postponement of the event to 16th May. Vera was booked against opposite Yadong Song and defeated by a closed decision.

Woodley Burns live online said...

Tyron Woodley will step into the Octagon for the first time since he was dethroned as UFC welterweight champion nearly 15 months ago when he faces Gilbert Burns in the main event of UFC Fight Night on May 30, with the fights expected to take place at the promotion's Apex facility in Las Vegas.

david jack said...

Australian Rules Football is back, with the 2020 AFL season seeing defending champions Richmond Tigers looking Australia Football live Stream to defend their title. Read our guide and we'll explain how to live stream the AFL and watch every match wherever you are in the world.

KSW Warsaw stream said...

During the gala planned for July 11, there will be 3 fights between Mateusz Gamrot and Norman Parke, and the stake of this duel will be the unification of the championship belt in the light category. Let us remind you that for the first time the competitors crossed their gloves during the historic KSW 39 gala at the National Stadium. Then Gamer turned out to be slightly better . The rematch took place during the next KSW 40 gala in Dublin. After Gamrot's foul, Parke was unable to continue the fight, so the duel was deemed unassigned and the belt remained in the hands of the Pole.

KSW 53 Transmisja Stream na żywo Online said...

During the gala planned for July 11, there will be 3 fights between Mateusz Gamrot and Norman Parke, and the stake of this duel will be the unification of the championship belt in the light category. Let us remind you that for the first time the competitors crossed their gloves during the historic KSW 39 gala at the National Stadium. Then Gamer turned out to be slightly better . The rematch took place during the next KSW 40 gala in Dublin. After Gamrot's foul, Parke was unable to continue the fight, so the duel was deemed unassigned and the belt remained in the hands of the Pole.

CorySteeves said...

I was very pleased to find this web-site. I wanted to thanks for your time for this wonderful read!! I definitely enjoying every little bit of it and I have you bookmarked to check out new stuff you blog post.

Click Here
Visit Web
Eac.org.mk

AugustCollects said...

WONDERFUL Post.thanks for share..more wait..

Click Here
Visit Web
Proz.com

KayleeCraig said...

I am often to blogging and i really appreciate your content. The article has really peaks my interest. I am going to bookmark your site and keep checking for new information.

Contraloriavalledupar.gov.co
Information
Click Here
Visit Web

Rezalo kacose said...

Nice post. I learn something more challenging on different blogs everyday. It will always be stimulating to read content from other writers and practice a little something from their store. I’d prefer to use some with the content on my blog whether you don’t mind. Natually I’ll give you a link on your web blog. Thanks for sharing.

Click Here
Visit Web
Dragonforgepress.com

Haconi Siha said...

Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thank you However I am experiencing issue with ur rss. Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting identical rss problem? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx

Yeezylegitcheck.com
Information
Click Here
Visit Web

Danil Pamungkas said...

Spot on with this write-up, I truly think this website needs much more consideration. I’ll probably be again to read much more, thanks for that info.

Provenexpert.com
Information
Click Here
Visit Web

Mozila Pandawa said...

Oh my goodness! an amazing article dude. Thank you However I am experiencing issue with ur rss. Don’t know why Unable to subscribe to it. Is there anyone getting identical rss problem? Anyone who knows kindly respond. Thnkx

Issues.apache.org
Information
Click Here
Visit Web