Art Show for April 2007
Potomac Thrummers Hooked Rugs

Potomac Thrummers is an arm of ATHA - Association of Traditional Hooking Artists. Thrumming or traditional hooking is a technique of pulling up a series of fabric loops through a backing. Wool cloth, new or used, plain or dyed, is cut into strips of a desired width - from 3/32 to 10/32 of an inch. A strip of wool is held under a backing; a hook is inserted through the top surface and a loop is drawn up. This procedure is repeated to create a pile. Plaids, herring bone or tweeds give texture. The backing can be linen, cotton, burlap or wool.

Although rugs can be hooked from a commercial pattern, many rug hookers get great pleasure from creating their own designs. Most of the rugs in this show are of original designs.

In recent years, yarn and fabrics other than wool are being used.

And other techniques of hooking are incorporated. A technique called proddy was used to create the flowers in the challenge piece with the basket of flowers.