The wonderful folk art quality of hand-made hooked rugs endears them to all who encounter them. Their North American history from the 1840s began with their popularity in rural North America, and since then 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.

A guide for antiques dealers, novice collectors, and crafters alike, this photo-rich book preserves, for a new generation of interest in hooked rugs, the historical background of the designs. Plus, it includes instructions for picking up some burlap, wool rags, and a rug hook, and making a rug of your own!

• More than 300 color photographs of rugs in lively geometric, abstract, floral, animal, Oriental, and original designs, and factual discussions of the interesting people who motivated the designs.

• Learn about the prolific rug producers at the House of Burnham, and the complete story of the Grenfell mats of Newfoundland and Labrador.

• Heralds the contributions of rug making promoters such as Philena Moxley, Pearl McGown, and Joan Moshimer with examples of their original designs and hand work.

• Step-by-step illustrated instructions to make your own rugs, and how to preserve them for the future.