Blast from the Past: How to Hook Harvest Corn

Brightly colored corn that speaks so eloquently of the fall season was cultivated by Native Americans at the time of the discovery of their land by the Europeans. Corn played an important part in the religious life of many of the tribes. The early American colonists soon learned how to grow and use this important crop, which often saved them from starvation. It was also sometimes used instead of money to pay rent, taxes, and debts.

First Things First: Enlarge the pattern to your desired size. Transfer the design to the backing. In rug hooking, we must remember to hook in the correct order—that is, you should hook first whatever element in the design is closest to the viewer. Thus, in making this picture, the first objects to hook are the twisting shapes of the husks. Then work on the ears of corn, the acorns, the oak leaves, and lastly the background.