An Interview with Jane Olson

The rug hooking world was saddened by the death of Jane Olson, an icon in the art of rug hooking and wool dyeing. One of the founders of the art of rug hooking in the western United States, Jane succumbed on August 17, 2011, to the blood disease myelofibrosis, which she had been fighting for several years.

In her final in-depth interview, Jane reflected on the maturation of the art of rug hooking, which she witnessed firsthand over a career that spanned more than seven decades. On June 6, Jane talked with Los Angeles-based freelance writer and photographer Mary Wortman while Jane was teaching rug hooking, braiding, and wool dyeing classes at the annual rug hooking camp at Cambria Pines Lodge in Cambria, California.

To read Mary's full interview with Jane, an amazing teacher, mentor, and treasure to the rug-hooking community, please see the January/February 2012 issue of Rug Hooking magazine.  To purchase a copy of this issue, please click here or to subscribe to Rug Hooking, click subscribe.