Give a GiftDear Creative Rug Hooker,
When is a rug truly finished? If you think it’s after that last loop is pulled, think again.
In “Hooked Rug Grooming 101,” master rug hooker Nancy Z. Parcels reveals the final—and most overlooked—step in rug hooking that can make or break the overall appearance of your piece: grooming.
Designed by E. S. Frost and hooked by Nancy Z. Parcels, Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania, 2010. Nancy’s rug is a finalist in Celebration XXI.
Nancy doesn’t just offer theory—she’s an award-winning artist whose rugs have selected for Celebration XXI. In this detailed, practical guide, she shares the exact process she uses to:
- Identify and fix “holidays” (tiny bare spots in your hooking)
- Spot and correct crossovers that can wear out your rug
- Trim, tidy, and clean up the back of your rug like a pro
- Steam and block properly—so your rug lies flat, even, and flawless
- Add a professional label to mark your work for generations to come
“The back of the rug tells the story,” Nancy says—and once you read this guide, you’ll understand why finishing a rug is every bit as important as hooking it.
- Whether you’re preparing your rug for a show, giving it as a gift, or simply want your work to stand the test of time, this article is your go-to checklist for rug grooming excellence.
Part of the Hooking 101 Collection — Yours FREE with Gold Membership
This must-read article is just one in our Hooking 101 Collection, a curated series of tutorials designed to build your skills and your confidence—whether you’re a new hooker or returning to the craft after a break.
Become a Charter Member of the We Like Rug Hooking Gold Club today, and you’ll never run out of projects or inspiration! And right now, when you become a Gold Club Charter Member you will get instant access to printable, rug hooking patterns and so much more!
When you activate your We Like Rug Hooking Gold Club Charter Membership today, you’ll get access to everything we have about rug hooking—all access, all the time:
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Summary of Gold Club Membership Benefits |
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| 1 Year We Like Rug Hooking Charter Gold Membership | Now Only: $59/year! |
| A full year of We Like Rug Hooking magazine—bi-monthly issues packed with inspirational articles, patterns, step-by-step instructions, tutorials, tips and tricks, and expert techniques. | Included |
| Full access to the We Like Rug Hooking digital project library, that’s instant, complete access to every single printable pattern, tutorial, and video we have ever published! | Included |
| Instant access to We Like Rug Hooking Collections–we’ve created topic specific collections of our favorite projects. | Included |
| We Like Rug Hooking Videos Watch clear step-by-step videos on rug hooking, yarn dyeing and punch needle techniques. | Included |
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| Stunning full-color photographs for quick and easy learning. | Included |
Please act now, while this special offer is still in effect for you!
Happy Rug Hooking!
Caitlin Eaton
Editor, We Like Rug Hooking Magazine
P.S. Imagine having 24/7 access to hundreds of rug hooking projects and articles, step-by-step instructions, and video tutorials to help you master any project. All this and more can be yours when you become a Charter Member of the We Like Rug Hooking Gold Club today!