WHO WE ARE We are the Colonial Rug Hookers, Association of Traditional Hooking Artists (ATHA), Region 3, Chapter 49. Formed in 1996, we are a nonprofit group.
The CRH exists to preserve the tradition of rug hooking while promoting and maintaining interest in the art of rug hooking through educating the public. The group provides a means of exchanging ideas and information among members through meetings, programs, and rug hooking events.
WHAT IS RUG HOOKING The creation of hooked rugs is an old art, developed in the maritime provinces of Canada and the New England states. Discarded or outgrown clothes were cut by hand into narrow strips, which were then hooked into backings made from grain or potato sacks, producing colorful rugs that added warmth and beauty to cold cabin floors.
Today’s traditional rug hookers usually cut wool fabric with a special cutting machine, using linen or burlap for backing to produce both fine-cut and primitive rugs and wall hangings. There’s plenty of opportunity in this traditional framework for experimenting with nontraditional forms. Materials as varied as yarn, roving, ribbon, metallics, buttons, beads, plastic bags, and cellophane have all been used with creative success by contemporary rug hookers.
OUR MEETINGS
We meet once a month, September through June, on Sundays from 12-4. Meeting are at the Sully Governmental Center at 4900 Stonecroft Blvd., Chantilly, Virginia 20151. (For directions to the center, go to the Fairfax County website.)
New members are welcome, Email us or just come by to see what we are all about.
MEETINGS ARE SUBJECT TO CANCELLATION IF CONDITIONS CHANGE. IF YOU ARE COMING FOR THE FIRST TIME OR NOT ON OUR EMAIL LIST PLEASE CHECK TO SEE IF THE MEETING IS STILL ON. email us at: [email protected]
MEETINGS FOR FALL 2023 are: September 10 October 8 November 12 December 10
NOTE: We do not meet in July or August. September through December meeting dates will be posted in July.
Members are encouraged to get to know each other and develop new skills and ideas in a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. We have a social hour from 12-1 PM, followed by a short business meeting, then our program for the month. When the business and program conclude, we spend the rest of our time visiting and hooking.