HOOKED RUG, a rug made by pulling narrow strips of wool or cotton cloth or wool yarn, with a tool roughly resembling a button-hook, up through a basic material of coarse linen or burlap. The loops, approximately a half inch high, and the width of two, three or four mesh openings in the basic material, are often clipped. Frames of various designs hold the basic material taut. Frequently the rug is made by pushing, instead of pulling, the loop through the basic material, the instrument used being then generally a large threaded needle. The origin of the hooked rug is obscure; beginning perhaps in the Scandinavian countries, the art was brought to America, by way of Great Britain, for its highest development. It has thrived best in New England and Canada. Early American examples show considerable variety in colour and in a generally crude floral, animal or geometric design. The rugs are often beautiful and as collector's items valuable. (See W. W. Kent's The Hooked Rug, 1930.)