The wonderful folk art quality of hand-made hooked rugs endears them to
all who encounter them. Over the hundred and fifty year history of their
popularity in rural North America, thousands of diverse rugs have been
made by cottage industries and individual craftspersons alike. Today
older rugs are collected and cherished and new rugs are continually
being made. This book will be a guide for antiques dealers and novice
collectors alike. This handsome new book preserves, for a new generation
of interest in hooked rugs, the historical background of the often
whimsical designs and instructions for starting a rug of your own. The
sections present over 300 color photographs of different rugs in lively
geometric, abstract, floral, animal, Oriental and original designs, and
factual discussions of the interesting people who motivated the designs.
The author takes a look at the prolific rug producers at the House of
Burnham, and gives the complete story of the Grenfell mats of
Newfoundland and Labrador. The contributions of rug making promoters
such as Philena Moxley, Pearl McGown and Joan Moshimer are heralded with
examples of their original designs and hand work. After inspiring them
with old designs, the author encourages the readers to pick up some
burlap, wool rags and a rug hook and follow her step-by-step illustrated
instructions to make their own rugs. Then she explains how to preserve
the rugs for the future.
