Meet Rug Hooking: A History, Part 2 of 2
Note: I am a hobbyist who loves arts and crafts! I wrote this post as a brief intro for fellow novices - if you’re intrigued, I encourage you to dig deeper! My sources are listed here to help you get started.
In follow up to “Meet Rug Hooking: A History, Part I of II”…
The Next Evolution & Name Dropping
Early rug designs were more about function than design, and are often referred to as “naíve”, “folk”, and “primitive”. They used wide cut strips, simple designs, and often patterned materials. But narrower fabric, new dye techniques, and more sophisticated designs were just decades away from turning this utilitarian craft into a true art form.
By the 1830s, rug hooking was making waves in the U.S., and our lower classes thrilled at the opportunity to add a little “wealth” to their decor.
When our 19th century ancestors got technology-happy, and mechanized the rug making process, a group of dedicated individuals - including the inimitable Mrs. Alexander Graham Bell! - held tight to tradition and put the quality and creativity back into rug hooking.
At the same time, clever clogs such as Edward Sands Frost of Maine, made the craft more accessible to the masses by designing and peddling Oriental-look stencils that any art-challenged enthusiast could replicate into lovely rug hooked pieces for their homes.
As interest in the craft waxed and waned over the years, another rug hooking champion appeared on the scene - a Mrs. Pearl McGown, who formalized rug hooking education, pioneered fabric dying methods, and ushered a whole new generation of rug hooking aficionados into this wholesome craft.
By the late 20th century, Nancy Edell and her peers went feminist on the formerly devalued domesticity of the craft and raised its public perception to the level of “fine art”. You go, girls!
Today, full service rug hooking kits (with tools and materials included) are easy enough to track down online (see resource blog for links). That level of accessibility has gone a long way toward keeping this craft vibrant, fresh, and well-loved.
Look in my next blog for a list of tools and materials you’ll need to get your OWN rug hooking project started…
