Resources on the Craft of Area Rugs
How to Make an Area Rug
David Dalton and Kitty Bartholomew demonstrate how to make a custom rug out of a carpet remnant. To keep raveling to a minimum, be sure to use a tight-weave carpet, not a shag, loop or Berber, for this project. Learn how to make your own rug by deciding on a shape and drawing the design on butcher paper. By tracing around template with permanent markers and cutting the rug with a utility knige, you can also bind the edges for a smooth area rug finish.
Make a Rug Hook
There are many good tips here to help you make your own rug hook. First, do not use any wood for the handle; you'll need a hard wood or almost hard wood (walnut, oak and birch work best). The grain in the wood needs to be straight and the wood dry so that it doesn't split. The piece that you start with should be 1-inch square and about 3 inches long. Next, you drill a small (1/8 to 1/16 inch) hole in the center of one end. (If you drive the nail into the wood without a pilot hole, the wood will split.) The hole should be at least a 1/2-inch deep. You can also learn how to carve a rug hook handle, fashion the hook, put it together, and reinforce the end of the handle.
Types of Rug Frames
Now here’s something different when it comes to Internet resources for rug hookers. This handy PDF file of rug hooking terms is ideal for beginners and those interested in learning about rug hooking. Terms include dorr wool, patterned wool, primitive cuts, linen, monks cloth, angus burlap, Scottish burlap, all-purpose burlap, primitive burlap, burlap linen, warp cloth, cuts, width of wool, Harman hook, Fraser hook, Grubber lap frame, Lap hoop, Pittsburgh crafting frame and more.
The Rug Hookers' Group on Yahoo.com
Here's where you can join the Rug Hookers e-group at Yahoo.com. If you've ever been a part of an e-group before you're undoubtedly in for a pleasant surprise. This is a large group of people, all of whom are interesting in hooked rugs, and all of them ready, willing, and anxious to share their expertise, their knowledge, their skill, their hints, and their tips to help you with any hooked rug project you have or are thinking of starting. Groups such as this are very close-knit and willing to lend help and advice as if you are a member of a family. If you are interested in joining an on-going discussion on a wide range of hooked rug topice with over 1,600 other rug hooking enthusiasts, then follow the simple instructions for gaining membership.
The Rug Braiders' Guild of Colorado
This site is filled with photos of a wide variety of braided rugs. Inspiration is everywhere on this site, along with information on rug braiding. For those who are inspired enough to want to learn more about rug braiding or making custom rugs or rag rugs or basically any type of country-style rug there are several rug-making camps held year-round and classes that can be taken to learn this traditional folk art. If you wish to ask questions about rug braiding or to contact rug braiders in your area this site has links that can help.
Making Rag Rugs
What's old is new again at this site where everything from old T-shirts to blue jeans to maternity clothes get recycled into brand new rag area rugs. What a wonderful and novel idea. Virtually any piece of textile can be recycled into a beautiful and useful rag rug. Learn to design and then make hooked rag area rugs from almost any old scrap of cloth. Learn about the different kinds of backings you can use. But that's not all. Also learn to make prodded rag area rugs. Prodded rugs are usually softer and less knobby and can be made in a variety of textures depending on the materials you have to work with. Learn about braided rugs, crocheted rugs, combination rugs and more. This site has many photos of hand made rag area rugs to give you plenty of ideas and inspiration for creating and actually making your own rag rugs.
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