Hooked Heirlooms

This charming and colorful design is by Janet Carija Brandt and appeared in the May/June 1990 issue of Rug Hooking magazine, our fourth issue, published 30 years ago. The theme of “hearts and hands” continue to be a popular design idea for rug hookers today, and this lovely piece is a contemporary as anything designed by rug hookers in 2020.

Designing a hooking pattern that is unique to you and your family is great fun, and can make a very satisfying project. You could hook a rug or hanging to celebrate a family milestone: a birth, wedding, anniversary, or graduation. Perhaps you simply want to capture some moment in your family’s life (or in the life of someone close to you) in a special hooked piece. Whatever family theme you choose, you will undoubtedly have in mind many pictures, symbols, names and dates that might be used.
 

How do you go about putting these personal images into a hooked heirloom?

One place to begin is in deciding the function of the finished hooked piece. Where will you put it? Will it be a rug, seat cushion, pillow, or wall hanging? Will it be large or small? What shape will it be? It helps to know where the piece will eventually be displayed: remember, we said it helps. But that information is not 
essential. It is simply one way to begin.

Keeping in mind your favorite colors (or those of the recipient), plan and design each hooked piece to stand on its own. If the design is well thought out and executed, it will be a true treasure for years to come.

Editor’s Note: We don’t have any 
information on this rug—it was not 
included in the original 1990 article. It would be lovely in nearly any size, 
so use your imagination to make it your own—a table mat, wall hanging, 
or floor rug!