Tools and techniques for making rag rugs
The technique used for creating Lucy’s textiles is hooked or prodded ‘ragwork’. A hessian (burlap) backing is stretched on a frame. In hooking, strips of fabric are pulled through the backing using a special hook with a pointed end that pushes the hessian threads apart. A closely-looped pile is the result. In prodding, short strips of slightly wider fabric are pushed through the hessian from the reverse side to create a shaggy pile, especially suited to rugs.
The surface of rag rugs is textured and very tactile. It is dense and has depth, and the technique allows a lot of freedom – to start and stop anywhere on the backing, pull out and rehook, and to make creative decisions at any stage of the process.
prodigal rugs