Rugmakers around Oceania contribute to rugmaking in a wide a range of techniques and activities. This page includes posts about and from our contributors. [Banner Image – Salt Lakes – Artist – Judith Stephens/SA]
Need a Frame or not for rugmaking
ISSN 2207-001X April 2026 When beginners ask about rugmaking, usually the first question is, “do you need a frame?” There’s no quick answer, because it depends on the rug maker and the technique being used. Most rug hookers using the “traditional” hooking technique, of pulling loops of fabric or yarn through an open weave or […]
A Cautionary Tale: Framing Textiles
What happens when you neglect to ask if the framer has worked with textiles? Imagine this; you deliver a lovely, hooked piece (36×6.5 inches /90x16cm) bordered with one line of red loops to a professional framer, and it comes back with the red loops completely covered by the frame. Taking it out of the frame […]
Reclaim the Void update
ISSN 2207-001X January 2026 What an interesting way to start the New Year! I’ve just read a Reclaim the Void update issued in December 2025 by Vivienne Robertson the project’s creative director and co-founder, who emphasizes that the project is about community, conciliation, and a shared responsibility for environmental impact and overconsumption. The process of […]
International Rug Hooking Day 2025
ISSN 2207-001X 11th December 2025 The Annual International Rug Hooking Day is held on the 4th December. Usually Aussie rugmakers’ greetings show up first on social media as we see the new day before those in Europe and the Americas. This year Wink Lindsay from Western Australia was right on time, sharing […]
From Stash cleanout to Series
ISSN 2207-001X October 2025 These vibrant rugs designed and hooked by Bea Nitschke from Queensland, were inspired by the colourful bark of the Rainbow Eucalyptus trees growing at Judi Tompkins Studio Palimpsest on the Sunshine Coast, where Bea meets with other textile artists. While experimenting with ‘brights’ Bea planned her colour palette as she […]
Another Digital Rug Hooking Experience
ISSN 2207-001X August 2025 Without leaving the comfort of my own home in Perth Western Australia this year, in August 2025, I had the opportunity to visit Rug Hooking Week at Sauder Village, Ohio, USA and take part in Susan Feller’s Guided Artist Residency Workshop. For 29 years, Sauder Village, an historic living history museum […]
My first rug hooking commission
Recently, while watching a free video workshop by Deana David for members of TIGHR (The International Guild of Handhooking Rugcrafters) I saw a rug designed by Claire Murray, from Massachusetts, USA, and was reminded about the challenges of hooking this rug design in 2019 and how it came about. Since the website RughookingAustralia went online […]
Presenting Dreamtime Mats
ISSN 2207-001X – May 2025 Derek Nannup, a talented artist and cultural advisor brought his Noongar stories to life for members of the community at the Wanneroo library with the help of hand-crafted Dreamtime Mats adorned with unique local Aboriginal symbols created with traditional rug making techniques by the Wanneroo Rugmakers. Each year since 2014 […]
Queensland Open Studios – Studio Palimpsest
ISSN 2207-001X – April 27, 2025 Judi Tompkins believes it’s time for her highly skilled and professional Docent Team to show off their talent, so she issued the first annual “Docent Challenge” to be held during the May 2025 Sunshine Coast Open Studios; Judi’s Studio Palimpsest will be open Fri- Mon (16-19) and by appointment […]