Wool Needed
3.0 lbs
Rug Area
6.0 sq ft
Total Strips
7,776
Est. Cost
$68.67
Wool at ~$18/lb, backing at ~$1.50/sq ft. Frame and tools not included.
| Cut | Strip Width | Strips/sq in | Style |
|---|---|---|---|
| #3 | 0.094" | 16 | Detailed |
| #6 | 0.188" | 9 | Standard |
| #8 | 0.250" | 4 | Primitive |
Inputs
Result
Area = 24 × 36 = 864 sq in (6.0 sq ft). At 9 strips/sq in (#6), total strips = 7,776. Wool = 6.0 × 0.5 = 3.0 lbs at $18/lb = $54. Backing = 32 × 44 / 144 = 9.8 sq ft at $1.50/sq ft = $14.67. Total with both = ~$68.67.
Inputs
Result
Area = 18 × 24 = 432 sq in. At 90% coverage and 16 strips/sq in (#3), strips = 432 × 0.9 × 16 = 6,220. Wool = 3.0 × 0.5 × 0.9 = 1.4 lbs at $18/lb = $25.20. Backing ~$3.47.
A general rule is about 0.5 pounds of wool per square foot of hooked rug at medium (#6) cut. A 24" × 36" rug (6 sq ft) needs roughly 3 pounds of wool. Fine cuts use more wool per area because the strips are narrower and packed more densely.
| Rug Size | #3 Fine | #6 Medium | #8 Coarse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18" × 24" (3 sq ft) | ~2.0 lbs | ~1.5 lbs | ~1.2 lbs |
| 24" × 36" (6 sq ft) | ~4.0 lbs | ~3.0 lbs | ~2.4 lbs |
| 36" × 60" (15 sq ft) | ~10 lbs | ~7.5 lbs | ~6.0 lbs |
Medium (#6 cut, 6/32" strips) is the most popular and versatile gauge. Fine (#3 cut) allows detailed designs and portraits. Coarse (#8 cut) creates a primitive, folk-art look with faster completion. Beginners should start with #6.
Use monks cloth or primitive linen for backing. Cut backing 4 inches larger than the rug on all sides to allow for framing and finishing. A 24" × 36" rug needs 32" × 44" backing. Monks cloth at ~$8–$12/yard is the most common choice.
Hooking speed varies by gauge and experience. At #6 cut, expect to complete about 1 square foot per 4–6 hours. A 24" × 36" rug (6 sq ft) takes 24–36 hours of hooking. Fine #3 cut takes roughly twice as long per area.
| Rug Size | #3 Fine | #6 Medium | #8 Coarse |
|---|---|---|---|
| 18" × 24" | 24–36 hrs | 12–18 hrs | 6–9 hrs |
| 24" × 36" | 48–72 hrs | 24–36 hrs | 12–18 hrs |
| 36" × 60" | 120–180 hrs | 60–90 hrs | 30–45 hrs |
The standard ratio is approximately 3:1 — you need about 3 times the area of wool fabric to produce enough strips to cover 1 unit area of rug. This accounts for strip width, loop height, and waste from cutting.
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Last Updated: Mar 9, 2026
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