Long before rugs were rolled off conveyor belts and sold online with a click, early Americans stitched, or should I say hooked, together beauty and practicality by hand, loop by loop. Rug hooking, a once essential home craft, is now a nearly forgotten art. But thanks to fiber artists like Jennifer Kaylor of Jenny Lynn Wool Creations, this time-honored tradition is being pulled back into the spotlight, right here in Snohomish.
From her cozy home studio to monthly hook-ins at the Snohomish Library, Jennifer is not only creating beautiful wool pieces, she’s nurturing a community of makers and preserving a piece of American history.
“Rug hooking is a technique of pulling wool through a canvas, usually linen, and creating loops on the front to form a pattern,” Jennifer explains. “It’s similar to creating an old-world rug, where every knot was made by hand, but instead you’re forming each loop yourself, one after another.”
A Rugged History
Rug hooking has roots stretching back hundreds of years. In pre-1780 America, imported rugs were an expensive luxury few working class families could afford. In the early 1800s, they turned to their own ingenuity by recycling worn out clothes, fabric scraps, and even feed sacks to create rugs that were both functional and beautiful.
By the mid-1800s, burlap feed bags became the go-to backing thanks to their loose weave, which made pulling fabric through much easier. Yarn was too valuable to use for rug making, so salvaged fabric strips gave each piece its own homespun charm.
These rugs did more than just decorate a home though. In the summer, they were laid on the floor loop-side down to endure daily wear. In the winter, they doubled as cozy bed coverings. And when company came calling? The rugs were flipped loop side up, showcasing the family's creativity and care.
A Stitch in Time
Today, rug hooking has evolved from a household necessity into a deeply personal fiber art form, each piece woven with a story. Whether used as rugs, wall hangings, or pillows, hooked pieces often become treasured heirlooms, connecting generations through the warmth of handmade tradition.
Reviving Tradition, One Hook at a Time
Jennifer Kaylor’s love for rug hooking goes beyond personal artistry - she’s helping lead a national movement to keep the craft alive. serving on the local board of directors for Region 11 of the Association of Traditional Hooking Artists (ATHA). This international organization is dedicated to promoting excellence, education, and community within the rug hooking world.
ATHA’s Region 11, covering Washington, Oregon, Alaska, and Western Canada, is a vibrant and steadily growing community. Thanks to passionate members like Jennifer, the region is building strong momentum; hosting gatherings, bringing in expert instructors, and inspiring new generations of rug hookers across the Pacific Northwest.
Community Through Craft
Jennifer also nurtures the local fiber arts scene by co-leading monthly hook-ins at the Snohomish Library, where beginners and seasoned artists alike gather to learn from one another, share stories, and pass down time-honored techniques.
These meetings are on the third Wednesday of each month and are informal, welcoming, and open to all. To confirm the next meeting, call the Snohomish Library at 360-568-2898, or check the events tab in the group's Facebook page.
Whether you’re curious about trying rug hooking for the first time or looking for a creative outlet with rich roots, Jenny Lynn Wool Creations and the local ATHA chapter offer a warm, woolly welcome. Stop by, pick up a hook, and discover the stories that live in every loop.
For more information, visit www.jennylynnwoolcreations.com.