The actual time frame when rug hooking, also known as latch rug hooking, first began is very difficult for historians to pinpoint. Some say rug hooking first originated between the third and seventh centuries in Egypt, while others think the craft came from Europe or China. Wherever it originated, rug hooking made its way to the United States and is still popular to this day.

In the mid to late 1800s, colonial women made hand-hooked rugs using rags and burlap sacks. This was done partly out of a necessity to cover the cold, bare floors, but also as a hobby to pass the time. By the early to mid 20th century, rug hooking became a popular hobby for Canadians and Americans, but the old days of rag-rugs were far gone. Rug hooking is done using a hook needle, a frame, yarn or wool strips and a wool backing, burlap, linen or monk's cloth.

The rugs created through rug hooking can be quite decorative. They make great gifts as wall hangings or as rugs. There are many different styles of rug hooking. The primitive style is considered to be quite easy to learn and may be ideal for the beginner. The completed images often look rustic and even child-like. Other styles include realistic, pictorial, abstract or geometrical, and Waldoboro.

There are several levels to rug hooking. You can do everything from scratch including creating your own pattern, wool pieces, backing and so on. There are also rug hooking kits available that include all the supplies you will need such as the pattern, the backing, yarn or wool and the hook. Frames usually need to be purchased separately. If you make your own rug yarn, you will also need special scissors and dyes.