 The author William Winthrop Kent believed that the earliest forebears of hooked rugs were the floor mats made in Yorkshire, England, during the early part of the 19th century.Workers in weaving mills were allowed to collect thrums, pieces of yarn that ran 9 inches (23 cm) long.These by-products were useless to the mill, and the weavers took them home and pulled the thrums through a backing.