Rag Rug Making

Hooked wool rug

The rag rug has been with us for many years. No one is quite sure where they originated, but there are examples still around from before 1800. The Vikings made rugs of hooked wool which they brought with them when they settled in Scotland and in turn the pioneers travelling to the New World brought rug making skills with them.

Rug craftsmanship

It was only when machinery started to be used for rug making that rag rugs started to die out. This is such a great pity, because the craftsmanship (craftswomanship) involved began to wane. These types of rug making skills were passed from parent to children and it was natural for children to be able to sew and stitch and make rugs of the highest quality. There are a few people continuing on the tradition, but not enough of them, it seems.

Rug revival

Rag rugs are now undergoing a resurgence of popularity as people become more environmentally aware and want to recycle old clothes and favourite fabrics. It is entirely possible to construct a wonderful rag rug from the cast offs from your dresser and this is what has made it so fashionable. It is wonderful to pass down a hand-made item that contains memories for both you and your children. Countless individuals made hand-made quilts in the days before sewing machines and without the benefit of electric light, these were made from old cotton fabric which had been worn for years before being cut up and used again.

Rag rug types

Fabrics for all types of rag rugs

Carefully choose the fabrics that you want to use. Perhaps you have a prom dress that has to be shortened for everyday use or a sample of your wedding dress, your child’s christening robe or first dress or dress shirt, take them, cut them into strips and reuse them. It is these that will give your rag rug its special place in your heart with all its wonderful memories.

Preserved rag rug

If you wish to preserve them further, then frame your rug or keep it as a present for your daughter or grand-daughter on her wedding day, what an emotional present for her.

There are several different types of rag rug made in various ways with different tools. The earliest example of a rag rug is a braided/plaited ragrug. These are made by braiding together different complementary coloured fabrics of similar weight. Add in an extra piece of fabric as one runs out until you have made a length of fabric long enough to be rolled into a rug. The fabric can be turned under at the sides as you work so that no raw edges are noticeable, but the best way is to sew the fabric into a tube so that the raw edges are not visible at all. As you reach the end of your rug, cut the strips slightly narrower so that the end will taper gradually. When you start to roll up the fabric, it needs to be sewn or laced tightly together using a large slightly curved rug hook (see image) and some strong cotton sewing thread. Place the rolled up ragrug on a backing fabric to give your rug a longer life turn in the edges of the fabric and sew strongly onto the rug.

Prodded Rug

Prodded rugs are the most common type of home made rugs and are made using a rug hook (see image) and pressed strips of fabric that is pulled up into loops through a hessian or jute background that is tightly stretched over a wooden frame. Each time the hook is prodded through the base fabric the other hand feeds the strip of fabric onto the hook and it is pulled through.

Repeat the process

This action is repeated until the rug is complete. The rug is removed from the frame and the raw edges of the hessian are turned under and sewn down. The rug may be backed with fabric to make it more hard wearing. If you become proficient in the art you will want to start classifying and sorting the rag types that you use. This is particularly important if you wish to make durable and long lasting rigs. Otherwise, just have fun and use all the scrap material that comes to hand for the rug. It will last long enough and you can always make another one!

Progged Rug

Bodger rag rug

Progged rugs are made using a ‘bodger’ or ‘rag rugger’(seeimage), otherwise referred to as a rug hooking bodger. These rugs are similar to the prodded rugs but the loops are on the reverse of the rug and the loose ends on the front. These ends are finally trimmed to make a lovely smooth finished surface. The fabric pieces are cut to the same length using a cutting gauge, a piece of wood with a recessed channel down the length around which the fabric is wrapped in a single layer then using scissors it is cut along the channel.

Latch hooks rag rug

Another type of woollen rug uses a latch hook tool (see image) and open mesh rug canvas as a base material. The wool is cut into lengths using the cutting gauge and taken through the mesh using the hook. The hook takes the loop of wool back through the mesh again and finally through the wool loop to create a knot. This tool may also be used with fine fabrics.
The locker needle (see image) also uses the open mesh canvas and the fabric strip is threaded through the needle then through canvas to pick up a lower loop of fabric and finally through the top loop to create a firm, strong rag rug.

Keeping the craft alive

Make sure to encourage the kids by allowing them to create their own mini rugs. Hopefully, they will then pass the skill on to their own kids. Whichever type of rag rugs you choose to make, enjoy the creation process and keep practicing to hone your skills and produce rug masterpieces.