Resources on the Craft of Area Rugs

Rug Hooking
The Robin's Nest and Bird Bath Essentials offer traditional rug hooking supplies and accessories, as well as, quality handcrafted soap and body essentials. Open irregular hours due to my full-time job, the studio also stocks my father's hand-woven baskets, needle felting supplies, and other gift items. Classes, workshops, hook-ins and other gatherings are offered regularly at The Nest. Includes information about the rug retreat, rug links, newsletters, and rug resources.

Green Lake Rug Camps
This is the homepage for the Green Lake Rug Camps, which will be located in Green Lake, Wisconsin in 2005. The Green Lake Rug Camp is an annual event the third week of September. Participants in enjoy rug hooking with renowned teachers, premier hotel accommodations located on the Conference Center grounds, with meals included. It’s a great time to hone your rug hooking skills, visit Wisconsin and meet others who enjoy the craft. Teachers include Nancy Blood, Cherylyn Brubaker, Pat Cross, Sally Kallin, Carrie Martin and Jan Mostrom.

Making a Penny Rug
This Web site features a free penny rug making pattern. You have to e-mail the homepage author for details. This penny rug candle mat was made with over dyed wool in tweed and solids on a fulled wool felt background. With 16 tongues, or pen wipes, it measures 9 1/4 inches square and is lined with homespun. The main page includes other penny rug designs and more information about folk crafts.

Making Canvas Rugs
Learn how to make a canvas rug with this easy how-to guide. These practical floor cloths are durable and inexpensive to make. They clean up with a damp mop and mild detergent. No wonder canvas rugs have been popular since colonial times. After the introduction of linoleum, they fell out of favor early in the last century. The craft was revived in the 1950s, when period rugs were made for historic homes. Modern materials have streamlined the technique; with today's quick-drying, water-based products, you can paint a rug this weekend and have it for years. Site includes canvas rug painting tips, decorative photos for rug making ideas, tools and materials needed, making a leaf rug and finishing a rug.

McGown Guild
This is the website of the National Guild of the Pearl McGown Rug Hookrafters for fans of rug hooking. Includes a feature rug teacher guide, as well as information about other rug crafts and the history of rug making. A wealth of library materials are offered here for those interested in rugs, and the guild can send packages of rug information. This is a well known rug association.

Braided Rugs
This braided rug database includes photos and a gallery of braided rugs and a picture rug gallery. Provided is information about rug restoration and repairs as well as a chair pad gallery. Chair pads can be made as sets for dining room chairs, or individually for accent chairs, etc. They can also be made for ottomans, bar stools, and in oval shapes for window seats and benches. Chair pads may also be made with hooked centers to depict a favorite scene or a photo of a pet.