Doreen Atchinson of Allenford, is a long-time Chantry School of Rug Hooking attendee and was happy beside friend Barb Nonnewitz during the first day of the school October 14.

Hub Staff

The 26th annual Chantry School of Rug Hooking took place October 14 to 16 at the Chantry Centre in Southampton. From far and wide friends and rug hookers came together to “laugh, eat and hook” as they say.

Over 60 experienced rug hookers took part in the three day school and focused on four classes: scroll work, woolies, looking through the window and an open class.

Judith Clark of Guelph said she has been coming to the Chantry School of Rug Hooking since the beginning and took the open class to finish up her incense rug hook creation.

Chantry Centre Director Sybil Mercer said the rug hooking school has a reputation for its friendly atmosphere and easy going classes and that travellers continue to enjoy Southampton’s hospitality. She said the ladies who attend the school like being creative and create rugs for the floor or wall hangings.

Wall hangings line the walls of the Chantry Centre, as does a piece from the late Ann Todd (1903-1985) who was once a nurse’s assistant at the Southampton Hospital.

Many of Todd’s pieces included cottages with water or rural scenes, even a Castle on the Rhine based off of a photograph. Her tools included a simple hook with a wooden handle, heavy shears for cutting the strips from recycled clothing and mostly wool.

The rug that hangs in the Chantry Centre depicts what Todd believed Chantry Island looked like and was completed in 1967, 31 years before the island buildings were restored by the supporters at the Marine Heritage Society. Todd drew the picture she had in her head but had never been to the Island, which would explain why the keeper’s cottage is on the wrong side of the lighthouse. Mercer said that Todd probably never considered using a commercial pattern.

Beyond the school, rug hooking takes place every Monday morning at 9:30 at the Chantry Centre in Southampton. Mercer said around 15 to 20 members bring their $2 and hook-away.

On Friday mornings rug hookers that find themselves to be more artistic attend the Fibre Art class. The Fibre artists have a task at hand as the Bruce County Museum & Cultural Centre will feature a Fibre Art Exhibition in the new year. Entrants must submit work that reflects images of Canada in celebration of Canada’s 150th birthday.

The deadline for submission is December 31, 2016 however works in progress will be accepted with preliminary photos and plans for completion.

Over 60 participants took part in the Chantry School of Rug Hooking October 14 to 16.

A participant working on her “woolie” creation.

The late Ann Todd’s rug was created in 1967 and depicts what she believed Chantry Island looked like, prior to its restoration.