Winter Scene Hooked Rug

For Your Information

Textile floor coverings have been used for centuries as a dual purpose for keeping wooden floors warm and as functional textile paintings.

Large numbers of North American women along the eastern seaboard beguiled the long dark evenings of winter by making rugs from cast-off clothing.   Many of these rugs were drawn by their husbands who spent the long months at sea in whaling vessels.

Pictorial scenes of the family farm, local church and designs from quilts are examples that were as endless as the maker’s imagination.

The colourful rugs were first made as bed covers (fittingly enough called “Bed Rug” hence the term “snug as a bug in a rug”).  They were also draped over women’s legs during winter sleigh rides.  As the rug hooking industry grew, they were passed down from generation to generation.

If we only knew the stories that were told surrounding grandmother’s rug.

In modern times the collecting of hooked rugs has become a burgeoning choice for collectors.  They are still being given as gifts for newlyweds as was done in former times. 

Primitive Ducks Hooked Rug