Rug hooker mixes art, craft in her work

“A lot of people went free form. They’d draw their own house, or own animals.

Someone went to a circus and drew an elephant. “Someone saw a deer and surrounded it with odd shaped trees. There were a lot of geometrics, too.”

Peddlers traveling in wagons included patterns among their wares. One person would buy a pattern and a friend would borrow it and substitute her own house or border.

Mrs. Carroll said there are quite a few rug hookers in Westmoreland County, and Pittsburgh has a Rug Hooking Guild. “It’s a growing craft, or hand work, whatever you want to call it.”

“People still recycle. They’ll go to the Goodwills or the Salvation Army and find material, wash it and take it apart.

But stay away from men’s jackets — they’re too hard [to cut].” In spite of it being so time consuming, hooking has great allure for many.

“Rug hooking is hand work done by people who love doing it. You’re using your hands and your heart. I love watching the rugs come together. I love teaching. I love what you can do with color.”

The museum is located at One Boucher Lane and Route 711, just south of Route 30. Interested persons are welcome to attend the SAMA Auxiliary meeting that precedes the lunch at 11 a.m.

For information visit www.sama-art.org.