Book excerpt: With a friendly new approach to an age-old craft, this book offers 15 colorful, whimsical designs for bags, pillows, pictures and gifts, as well as rugs. Inspired by folk art and primitive art, Carole Rennison shows how easy rug hooking is, providing hooking tips and advice on how to choose the right backing (hessian/burlap), wool yarn, bindings and equipment. She also demonstrates how to plan and develop ideas, how to choose the right colours and how to complete the designs with a professional finish.