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 |
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Price as of Jun 27, 2026. Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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: Jul 13, 2026
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