Rug Hooking

Posted by Mary Welling-Bonney Dec 3, 2007

But is it a good idea for your crafting?

In most crafting, recycling is not only used but encouraged. In rug hooking though it has a different complexity. The finished product will look very different based on the wear of the wool that is used. Many hookers that use recycled products spend a great deal of energy and time disassembling discarded articles or thrift store finds. They then expend even more time and energy trying to remove any signs of wear and tear.

Time and energy are a part of the cost of the finished product. For example, you spend $50.00 in supplies and spend two hours to create the final product. Your finished product is valued at $100.00. Your time was valued at $25.00 per hour for your skill and artistic talents. On the other hand you spend $20.00 on materials second hand to recycle. It takes you eight hours to clean and disassemble the materials and get them all cut. Your final product is also worth $100.00. It then takes you an additional 2 hours to create your finished product. Your skill and artistic talents are only valued at $8.00 per hour.

Thinking green is so important in our world today. I encourage everyone to think in terms of the impact of their actions on the environment. For rug making, it all comes down to why you make the rugs. If you are making them for profit, you have to think twice about using recycled materials. If you are making them for the love of hooking, time and energy are money well spent to also aid in maintaining our world.