Pillows

Throw pillows are small decorative pillows. A hooked pillow is built like a hooked rug, with yarn or fabric strips drawn up through a sturdy backing in tight loops until they cover it in a dense pile.

How to choose Pillows

  • Loop pile. Hooking builds the picture out of raised loops, so the face has a pile you can feel.
  • Backing. Hooking needs a strong, coarse backing. Burlap, a heavy plain weave usually of jute or hemp, is one such fabric.
  • Fiber percentages. Pillows are covered by federal textile labeling, so the tag lists each fiber by share of weight. Fibers under 5 percent can be grouped as other fiber, except wool, which must always be named.

About Pillows

Pillows used for decoration, rather than for sleep, have been called throw pillows since at least 1926. Hooked pillows borrow their method from the hooked rug, where yarn or cloth is worked into a strong fabric back to make a raised surface.

Rug hooking became a popular North American craft, and early hooked pieces are known for strong color and for floral, geometric and animal designs. On a hooked pillow, as on a hooked rug, the design is formed by the loops themselves rather than printed on the surface. Plump it often, and check the care label before any wash.

At a glance

Made from
Yarn or cloth loops on a woven backing
Main types
Hooked and needlepoint, among many styles of throw pillow
Label terms
Fiber content, country of origin, company name or RN

Pillows questions

How do you clean a wool hooked pillow?

Treat spills right away and dab, never rub. For coffee, rinse the spot under cold running water first, then blot with an absorbent, lint-free cloth. Work around the edge of the stain so it does not spread across the loops, then let the pillow air dry.

What does RN mean on a pillow tag?

RN stands for Registered Identification Number, a number the Federal Trade Commission issues so a company can identify itself on textile labels without printing its name. Along with it, a pillow's label has to give the fiber content and the country where it was made or processed.

What is the difference between hooked and needlepoint pillows?

Hooking pulls loops up through a coarse backing to build a raised pile. Needlepoint is embroidery on canvas in small, even stitches, each crossing a set number of the canvas threads, so the face lies flat. Hooked pillows feel thick and textured, while needlepoint ones look finer and tighter.

Sources: Federal Trade Commission; The Woolmark Company; Merriam-Webster.

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