How to Hook Latch a Rug Using Yarn

Latch hooking can create intricate patterns in rugs

Latch hooking is a craft using short pieces of yarn and a special hinged hook to create knotted rugs with an even pile. Patterns printed on the canvas allow for multi-colored designs. Latch hooking was popular in the 1970s, when latch hook pillow, wall-hanging and rug kits were readily available. Purchase latch hook kits at hobby and craft stores. Kits contain printed canvas, pre-cut yarn, and a latch hook.

Things You'll Need

• Pre-cut latch hook yarn
• Latch hook
• Rug canvas
• Heavy-duty thread
• Heavy-duty rug needle

Instructions

1. Fold one piece of pre-cut yarn in half around the shank of the latch hook, below the hook and latch. Hold the yarn against the shank of the hook with the index finger of your right hand. Keep the latch portion of the hook open.

2. Insert the hook with the latch open through one hole in the canvas, under the desired canvas thread, and out the hole above, while continuing to hold the yarn in place with your index finger.

3. Insert the hook with the latch open through one hole in the canvas, under the desired canvas thread, and out the hole above, while continuing to hold the yarn in place with your index finger.

4. Pull the folded strand of yarn up with your left hand, and place both strands of yarn between the hook and the latch.

5. Pull the hook back through the holes in the canvas thread and under the canvas thread, closing the latch and pulling both ends of the yarn through the loop of yarn on the shank of the latch hook.

6. Pull the yarn ends evenly to tighten the knot. Repeat these steps to fill in the entire canvas with yarn, leaving a 1- to 2-inch, unfinished section of canvas around the entire rug.

7. Finish the rug by turning under to the back of the rug on all four sides the 1 to 2 inches of unfinished canvas. Thread a heavy-duty rug needle with a doubled length of study thread and knot the ends. Using a running stitch, sew the folded edge to the finished canvas by sewing under one thread along the edge of the unfinished canvas and under one thread of the finished rug. Continue around all four sides.

Tips & Warnings

• When folding the yarn, keep the ends aligned to ensure the finished rug has an even pile. Knots can be undone and strands removed if the ends are not even.

• Latch-hook rugs are decorative rather than functional and do not stand up to heavy traffic.

References

• Wool Needle Work: How to Latch Hook Instructions
• Beautiful Creations: Latch Hook Rug Project Instructions
• "The Complete Encyclopedia of Stitchery"; Mildred Graves Ryan; 1979
• "Latch-Hooking Rugs"; Linda Spiro; 2008