Rug Hooking Wool

Quality counts in this choice. The fabric in a wool rug lasts a long time, a poor choice of backing could reduce its life span significantly. The backing for a hooked rug needs to have an open weave so that the hook and strips can pass through easily yet be firm enough to hold the loops after completion.

Linen — Course woven linen is the quality choice for a hooked rug backing.
Monks Cloth — Monks Cloth is an even weave, 100% cotton fabric that has a slight stretch or give to it. Monks Cloth wears well and is a good choice for a hooked rug backing.
Linen Burlap — Commonly referred to by rug hookers as hairless linen. This fabric has a softer hand and better drape than coarser linen burlaps.

Rug Hooking hooks look similar to a crochet hook set into a wooden handle. There are limited styles and variations. Look for a smooth metal tip without burs to snag fibers and a well sanded wooden base.

Rug hooking should be done in a frame which should not be too large as the work needs to rest in the lap with one hand and the hook on top and the other hand and wool strip on the bottom. A 14" - 18" embroidery hoop might be a good choice for beginners. The goal of the frame is to keep the base fabric taught and the grain lines straight while hooking the rug. "Rug Hooking Online" has an excellent article on frames.
http://www.rughookingonline.com

There are a range of styles and prices of rug hooking frames to choose from.

Most hooked rugs are finished with a woven twill tape or rug tape that is stitched to the edge of the rug's design and turned under. Many current patterns and instructions suggest that before hooking the rug, sew a double row of machine stitching to go around the design with the tape sewn just outside these lines. This step stabilizes the edges and prevents raveling and distortion. Traditionalists may prefer to hook the rug then finish the edges.

Often twill rug binding tapes are available in a variety of colors. and they should be preshrunk prior to attaching to the rug backing.