Rug weave can make a difference in the value, texture and overall look of an area rug. For designer quality and a look of luxury, a hand-knotted or handmade rug is the best. A hand-tufted area rug gets the look and feel of a hand-knotted rug at a fraction of the price. If one wants a durable rug with a long lifespan, have a machine-made and braided rug.

Originally hooked rugs were made of clothing scraps cut into strips and pulled through burlap sacking in which they had purchased potatoes or other foodstuffs. Creative housewives would hook the fabric into colorful patterns or pictures of the things in their daily lives. Animals and flowers were popular decorative themes. The resulting rugs were used to warm floors in the winter time and to add some color to the rooms. Sometimes one can find antique hooked rugs with price tags of several hundred dollars.

The process of rug hooking is simple enough to learn in an evening, but the variations in fabric, technique and design keep many a craftsperson captivated. Begin with simple tools, such as those our ancestors may have used. If one wants to get more involved in the craft, one can upgrade to specialized tools.

Hand hooked rugs are a great way to add splendor to a bedroom, a kitchen, sun porch, or children's room. A number of designers like Jane Keltner, Suzanne Nicoll, Sally Dailey, Dena, and Tracy Porter focus exclusively on designing hand hooked rugs. These beautiful floral, animal, fruit and other pattern hand hooked rugs can be used interchangeably from room to room. Hand hooked rugs have warm colors that harmonize a variety of décor themes like shabby chic, cottage, nautical or even country. Round hand hooked rugs come in an array of colors, designs and styles. This shape is ideal to be placed under a round dining table while supplying color and dramatic liveliness to the dining area.

Early patterns were borrowed from quilts and often immortalized a friendly horse or house pet. Gay sprays of flowers and scenes were also drawn. These designs were bold and naïve. A home was very personalized in this way, especially when it comes to pattern and color. In recent times hand hooked rugs come in both classic and contemporary designs, including traditional, floral patterns, and theme rugs. Intricate designs and a myriad of colors add a lively, rich look.

In the past the potential use of hand hooked rugs were understated and restricted in use. Today, hand hooked rugs are moving from the kitchen and bathroom to conspicuous spaces like the bedroom and living room. A hand hooked rug can add the note of authenticity a room needs to take on a character all its own. The wonderful art quality of hooked rugs endears them to all who encounter them.