– Materials & Tools

Rug Hook: There are many brands and sizes of hooks, economy priced through higher priced. You can start with a less expensive hook, but always choose a hook that corresponds with the width of the wool strip you wish to use and one that fits your hand comfortably. Ball handle, pencil-style, and even ergonomic hooks are available. Rug hooks are gauged fine, medium, primitive and coarse to guide you in choosing one that will work with the strip width you intend to use.

Hartman and Moshimer rug hooks / Red Dot Tracing Fabric

Foundation: Several rug hooking foundations (often called backing) are available from inexpensive burlaps to higher-priced linens. Burlap is fine as a learning material, but as you begin to hook rugs that you really want to last for generations, use a better quality foundation, such as linen. Linen is stronger and less susceptible to rot from damp or dry conditions. Monks cloth is a cotton fabric that is a mid-priced foundation. Choose a different foundation for each of your first few projects and you’ll find the one that you prefer.

Frame or Hoop: Rug hooking frames vary widely in price, size and capability. Some are stationary and others swivel and tilt. Frames can sit in your lap, stand on the floor, or be stabilized by your own weight (sit-on frames.) Frames have gripper strips on all sides, which hold your pattern very tightly while you hook. Alternately, you can use a large, heavy-duty quilting hoop, which must be stabilized against a table edge during hooking. Frame choice is very personal; frame must fit your stature, arm length, and comfort. Try a frame before you purchase or know that you can return it if it doesn’t work for you.

Foundation Fabrics

Strip Cutter: Strip cutters cut wool cloth into strips for hooking. Different size cutter heads fit into the strip cutter to produce wool in the strip width you need. Strips are measured in 32nds of an inch; when you see ‘strip cut #8,’ that means the strip of wool is 8/32-inch wide and was cut using a #8 cutter head. The larger the number, the wider the cut strip. There are several manufacturers of strip cutters. Cutters vary in price, beginning at about $150 up to $500 or more.

Model D Rigby Strip Cutter

Bee Creek Ltd. floor stand and gripper frame