Things to do · Arts and crafts
Make a rag rug
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Rag rugs turn old jumpers, T-shirts and scarves into mats, wall hangings and cushion fronts by hooking strips of fabric through hessian. The craft goes by many local names, from proggy and hooky in the north of England to rug hooking in the US, and a one-day workshop is enough to start a piece.
GentleUnder £100 / $130A few weeksIndoorsAlone or with othersUK and US
Someone who has done it
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Rags, proggy and hooky
The Friends of Beamish note that rag mats go by many local names, including proggy, hooky, clippy, clooty and peggy. They say the craft nearly died out in the 1970s before interest in recycling revived it, and that Beamish museum holds about 250 examples dating from about 1897 onwards.
The basic method is the same everywhere. A backing such as hessian, burlap or linen is stretched on a frame and strips of fabric are pulled through it with a hook to form loops. Ideastream Public Media, reporting on a US guild, says wider wool strips give the textured primitive style and thinner ones are used for fine detail. West Dean asks students to bring freshly washed fabrics, preferably wool, such as old knitwear, T-shirts and scarves.
Ways in and what they cost
| Where | Format | Cost (as last listed) |
|---|---|---|
| Shibden Hall, Calderdale Museums | Full day; all materials provided; bring old clothes to cut up | £45, including entry to Shibden Hall |
| West Dean London | Two days; hessian, recycled fabrics, hook and frame included; make a piece about 40 x 25cm (16 x 10in) | £250 |
| Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Lancaster, Pennsylvania | Five hours, taught by a local rug hooking guild; make a 4 x 4in (10 x 10cm) mug rug or sampler | $60 to $65 |
In the US, many local rug hooking guilds are chapters of the Association of Traditional Hooking Artists; Ideastream describes one in Ohio that meets monthly to share techniques and show work.
How to start
- Book a beginners' workshop at a museum, heritage site or craft centre; many supply the hessian, hook and fabric.
- Wash and save old clothes, especially wool knitwear and jersey, to cut into strips.
- Start small, with a mug mat or a cushion-sized panel, before committing to a full rug.
Where to go
- Calderdale Museums: Rag Rug Workshop at Shibden Hall, Halifax UK
- West Dean London: The Art of Rug Hooking (two days) UK
- Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Pennsylvania: Traditional Rug Hooking beginner workshop US
We opened these links on 9 November 2026 and found them to be what we say. Dates, places and prices are on the official page, where they stay up to date.
Plan this
Pick a day, or a month, and we will set out how to get ready, step by step, with a date and a reason for each. Projects run over months and stall without a rhythm, so the plan sets milestones you can see.
Questions people ask
What fabric is best for rag rugs?
Workshops ask for washed, preferably wool fabric. West Dean suggests old knitwear, T-shirts, jersey or woollen scarves, and Shibden Hall invites people to bring old clothing to cut up.
What is the difference between proggy and hooky?
They are two of several local names for rag mats in the north of England, alongside clippy, clooty and peggy, according to the Friends of Beamish.
Do I need experience for a rag rug workshop?
No. Shibden Hall and Landis Valley both say no experience is needed, and West Dean lists its course as suitable for all.
How long does it take to make a rag rug?
A beginner usually starts something small. Landis Valley's five-hour class makes a 4 x 4in mug rug, and West Dean's two-day course a piece about 40 x 25cm.
Where this comes from: Calderdale Museums, Rag Rug Workshop; West Dean London, The Art of Rug Hooking with Graham Hollick (Ticket Tailor); Landis Valley Village & Farm Museum, Traditional Rug Hooking: Beginner Workshop; Friends of Beamish, From Rags to Riches: North Country Rag Rugs; Ideastream Public Media, Western Reserve Rug Hookers keep the craft alive in Geauga County. Opened 9 November 2026.
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