Rug hooking began in North America around the mid 1800's on the eastern seaboard of New England.  Housewives would use scraps of wool from making clothes or blankets and would cut them into narrow strips.  The strips of wool would be dyed and would be hooked onto empty burlap feedbags.  It was a great way to create inexpensive floor coverings providing warmth.  Rug hooking flourished into an art form with many intricate motifs being created with artistic flair.