The Art and Beauty of Rug Hooking

Rugs are pieces of art that can be showcased through wall hanging or just simply using it as it is – a floor decoration that can be used to separate areas of your house. As time evolves, different kinds of rugs were made and invented by people. Other materials such as wools, nylon and other kind of fabrics were also introduced to create varieties of rugs. Truly colourful and pleasing to the eyes, rugs became a sense of statement in one’s home.

The rugs that are usually made by the experts in the field were also used to form another kind of art which is called rug hooking.  Rug hooking is an art and craft activity that is done by pulling loops of fabric through a base which is the rug itself. Tracing back its history, rug hooking originated in England during the 19^th century. At that time, rug hooking was distinguished to be the work of the poor because the ones who practice the said art are the workers in weaving mills. The workers are then allowed to collect pieces of unwanted yarns. Those yarns were used by them to make rugs. Yarns and everything that may seem to come handy were used to make rugs during that time. Rug hooking was considered as a country past time of the poor. Country in this context is partly defamatory more than complimentary.

But as time goes by, people of other nations have looked at the hobby as a form of fine art. In fact, in Canada, rug hooking is considered as a high form of art. Rug hookers have taken the next level of experimenting techniques to form better pieces of rugs made of hooked wools and fabric. Aside from techniques, hookers, people who practice rug hooking, became open to using other fabrics aside from wool and yarn to create better pieced of rugs.

One does not need to be an expert in order to do rug hooking. Hookers said that once you have known one technique, you can already consider yourself as a master of the craft. With a normal rug as a base, and pieces of fabrics to be hooked, one can already practice rug hooking.

Alternatively, if you want to use rugs as a decoration and yet you feel that you do not have much time to do rug hooking, you can opt for other types of rugs such as traditional rugs, wool rugs, modern rugs, designer rugs and more. At Fantastic Rugs, with the variety of rugs that we have on hand, we are sure that there is a piece that will suit your taste and personality. Order a rug from us and take advantage of our free standard delivery on most rugs to mainland UK. For more information about our rugs and our free delivery services, visit our website or give us a call at 01234 220076.

Difference Between Wool and Synthetic Rugs

For high traffic areas, the most common choices for rugs are wool rugs and synthetic rugs. Both have the qualities that can endure the usual stress that rugs get from the frequent dirt and walks of shoes and feet. However, it is also important to note that wool and synthetic rugs have differences.

WHAT ARE WOOL RUGS?

Wool rugs are usually hand-made and are a popular choice of homeowners for their living room, dining room and other high traffic areas because:

1. Wools are water repellent. It will take quite some time before water penetrates the fabric of the wool rug.
2. Wools are fire-resistant. Wools rugs are naturally fire-resistant and don’t require special treatment to be non-flammable. When it gets close to a light, it doesn’t flare up and cause damage to anyone or anything in your home. This is also the exact reason why firemen wear wool uniforms.
3. Wools are static-resistant. In an area where there are more feet walking, static is more likely to become present. This can also be associated with wools being fire-resistant -- if one is walking across a wool-carpeted area, he or she is less likely to get shocked when his or her skin gets direct contact to a grounded object that may cause fire.
4. Wools are durable. Wools are resistant to the stresses and strains compared to other types of rugs because it is resists friction. This is because wool consists of fibres that are made up of rather stretchable coil springs that are less likely to break.

Aside from being water-repellent, fire-resistant, static-resistant and durable, wools are also considered as a good insulator if you want to avoid noise in an area. Wool rugs absorb sounds and reduce the level of noise. This is the same reason why wools are used in offices, restaurants and other establishments were a number of people are always present.

WHAT ARE SYNTHETIC RUGS?

Synthetic rugs are the convenient version of wools, only they are machine-made and comprises of plastic. If you want to cut down on your budget and yet want to achieve the same results that wool can offer, synthetic rugs are the best option for you. However, it is important to take note that synthetic rugs will require you to tend to your rugs more for cleaning and maintenance. Unlike wools that are made of natural fibres, synthetic rugs are made of plastic that hold odour like no natural fibres can.

WHAT SHOULD I BUY, WOOL RUGS OR SYNTHETIC RUGS?

The answer will depend on your budget. Logically, hand-made rugs such as wool rugs will cost you more than machine-woven rugs like synthetic rugs. Another factor to be considered is the environment that you have at home. If you have pets that are not potty-trained, it is expected that you will have a problem with synthetic rugs because it contains jutes.

For a wide variety of wool rugs and synthetic rugs that you may want to choose from, visit Fantastic Rugs and browse our products.

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Shaggy Rugs Pros and Cons

In the modern era, a contemporary look in home decor is in trend and shaggy rugs will make an excellent accessory to any modern dwelling. Shaggy rugs are available in a wide array of colours according to your taste and home design; they are the perfect companion to the quintessential sofa or couch.

Shaggy rugs or shaggy carpet are aptly named after their ‘shaggy’ appearance. A shaggy rug has gained in popularity, as it provides a very soft feel underfoot. It gives any room a very cosy feel. Available in a variety of fibres including wool, acrylic or cotton, shaggy rugs are also sold in long, short and mini versions. The distinguishing features of the shaggy rug are the long yarn fibres that are attached to the back of the carpet, giving it an irregular pattern.

Pros

 

Plush Feel 

Shaggy rugs have a very soft feel giving you a ‘walking on air’ feel. The long, fibrous strands collectively make for a cosy and inviting atmosphere in the room.

Availability

With their growing popularity, shaggy rugs are readily available and a regular among other varieties stocked by many stores, including Fantastic rugs.

 

Durability and Style

Shaggy rugs are well suited to areas that are frequently in use and that receive high traffic. Wool shaggy rugs are durable, naturally stain resistant and insulating. Insulation provides warmth during the winter and a cool haven during the summer to give respite from the heat. Shaggy rugs have a unique quality and serve as a focal point in contemporary modern living.

Cons

Proper Care

Shaggy rugs are high maintenance, as dirt easily sticks to the long strands of yarn on the carpet. Regular vacuuming in between the fibres, row by row, may become a necessity in order to work out any dust or dirt from the middle of the rug. The trick is to remove spills and stains immediately in order to maintain and protect the rug.

Frequent Shedding and Yellowing

Shaggy rugs are crafted out of long strands of fibre.  Prone to shedding, shaggy rugs will initially lose some of their fibres. The shedding diminishes over a period of frequent use. Wool shaggy rugs can yellow over time from exposure to sunlight, certain detergents or due to the latex that binds them together. Bleaching may solve this problem or the use of hydrogen peroxide but it would be more advisable to seek the help from a carpet cleaning expert.

Keeping It Classy with Traditional Rugs

By now, we are all aware that rugs play different roles in making our homes more comfortable to live in. The fabric contributes to the design of our abode, while making the place look larger. It keeps our feet warm. Rugs come in all different sizes, textures and materials. For some, the best rug is still the traditional type.

WHAT ARE TRADITIONAL RUGS?

Traditional rugs originated from central and western Asia. This type of rug was used to cover beaten-earth floors. As time moved on, the fabric was utilised to cover the floors of houses and tents. Gradually, traditional rugs were also used to cover floorings of mosques and palaces, which are considered holy places. By then, the rug was already considered as a piece of fabric that symbolised status in society.

To date, traditional rugs are used to define luxury. Using a traditional rug inside your home will give everyone the impression that you are a person of great taste. In fact, traditional rugs are often included in wills and are considered as an item of fantastic value.

WHY SHOULD YOU USE TRADITIONAL RUGS?

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  It’s needless to say that traditional rugs are classy. The colours used in making these rugs are subtle enough to create a refined look in any room or hallway. Any area will surely look sophisticated when accented with a traditional rug. Furthermore, the rug is designed to look timeless. The design of traditional rugs can blend with any kind of furniture, complimenting any area to create a statement of its own.

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    They are a piece of art. A truly traditional rug is meticulously made by hand. The fabric is intricately produced, giving attention to fine details. The design of these rugs is often associated with nature and geometric motifs. Some traditional rugs are now machine made. Nevertheless, the rugs still tend to boast more intricate details and colours over their modern counterparts.

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They are very versatile. Traditional rugs can be used as a centrepiece in any room or strategically placed to blend with other designs around the home. Traditional rugs can offer the perfect accent to any room.

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They provide multi-sensory comfort and relaxation. Most traditional rugs are made with the finest fabrics. There is no doubt why these rugs provide a different kind of softness underfoot. The fabric tends to be thicker and can be contributory in making any room sound-proof. Furthermore, the thickness of traditional rugs can also retain the temperature in a room, keeping it cosy.

TRADITIONAL RUGS AT FANTASTIC RUGS

Traditional doesn’t necessarily mean old fashioned. Our Traditional Rugs are hand crafted, yet made from modern fabrics. We can ensure that the traditional rugs we have to offer will blend seamlessly into the latest designs and popular trends.