What are American Hooked Rugs?
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American hooked rugs are an essential component of American history. Indigenous to the Northeast region of the United States and Eastern Canada, their production began in the mid-1800s and they soon became a staple in American households. Read on for more information about these fascinating carpets. |
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How and When Did Rug Hooking Begin? |
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![]() Several clues lead us to believe American rug-hooking first started in the mid-19th Century. For example, American hooked rugs are most often hooked on burlap, which did not become commercially available in North America until the 1850s, precisely the period when hooking became popular. After its inception, the hooked rug technique spread rapidly along the Atlantic coast, through the St. Lawrence Valley, Acadia, and inland to Ontario and Pennsylvania. |
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How Were Hooked Rugs Made? |
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Creating beautiful and colorful American hooked and sewn rugs is both an art and a craft, forming some of the most desirable decorative pieces made in North America. Designs for American hooked rugs can be as complex as flowers, animals, landscapes, and pictorial scenes, or as simple as geometrics, medallions, and stripes. Many traditional hooked rugs feature “folk” and domestic designs, including horses, chickens, roosters and cats. Regardless of their designs, American hooked carpets are commonly colorful and vibrant. Click the images above to learn more about each rug, such as when it was produced, its size, and the materials used in its production. |
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Leave your questions about American Hoooked Rugs in the comments below. And click here to see more American Hooked carpets on our website. |