Instructor:  Ann Jones, Nova Scotia

Did you have a problem that caused you to stop hooking or complete a project? Are you not sure how to finish a mat or how to begin a new pattern?  If so, then this may be the course for you.

The goal of this course is to help, to answer your questions and get you started again. Ask anything about the design, colour planning, any type of hooking in any cut. Any question is fair game. If I don’t know the answer, someone else in the class might have a solution or I will find someone who can help. This is a gathering of like minds, of new and experienced rug hookers. It is also a time to hook together, to start your project again with the hope that it will be completed. We will learn from each other, get to know each other, and have fun.

Number of Auditors:

N/A

Instructor:  Various Monitors

Participants will be placed in breakout rooms where the mood is relaxed and there are no expectations! They will pass the time in very pleasant, often lively conversation with like-minded rug hookers, all the while hooking their favourite projects.

There is much give and take in this room and sharing of ideas! Janet Delo has very generously offered to monitor Monday and Tuesday and other volunteers will assist Wednesday to Friday. These very kind rug hookers will keep you company, initiate discussion, answer questions and notify our web director if there are any technical issues. Having fun is the order of the day!

Number of Auditors:

N/A

Instructor:  Shirley Joyce, Nova Scotia

Most of us know how to finish our rugs, we grab our Briggs and Little, maybe some rope and whip away.

What if I told you there were other ways to finish our projects like crochet, crab crawl, herringbone, braiding, a triple whip and how about an easy way to finish coasters or a holiday pin. Even if you don’t know how to crochet, don’t worry, it is much easier than you think. I have been hooking since 2013 and fell in love with it at the get go. I love hunting out different ways to hook and I like finding different ways to finish. Come on a journey with me to expand your finishing techniques.

Number of Auditors:

10

Instructor:  Len de Graaf, Ontario

Yarn painting has been practised for over 200 years by the Huichol Indians in Western Mexico. The technique of brushing melted beeswax on a hard  surface and then pressing yarn in the hardened beeswax with a sharp implement creates a stunning piece of art. The theme for this workshop is inspired by Van Gogh’s ‘Starry Night’. Note: the photo of the “Starry Night” yarn painting is a simple version of my own! Participants can create as complex a yarn painting as they wish with lots of detail. I recommend you take a look at the many versions that artists have created! 

Each person will receive the following prior to the workshop: (Cost: What I provide will be mailed out to you.   In Canada $25.00 Can. If you live outside of Canada, the cost will be higher to cover the additional postage)

1.  4” x 6” beeswaxed board to practise on
2. 8” x 10” beeswaxed board for yarn painting
3. Notes that illustrate yarn painting techniques
4. Rough outline of “Starry Night”
5. Notes on how to melt wax and apply to board for after workshop

Each participant will supply their own:

1. Knitting needle to press yarn into beeswax
2. 2 ply yarn – I use Briggs & Little “Heritage yarn – various shades of blues and greens, yellow, orange, white, black and any other favourite colours you may have in your stash.
3. A Sharpie to draw a very “light” outline on your 8” x 10” board. (“light” because if you press too hard the wax will clog the pores of your Sharpie – note: do not include details – just a basic outline..

Number of Auditors:

8

Instructor:  Simone Vojvodin, Ontario

II am a certified Oxford Instructor and have been teaching punch needle for beginners to advanced since 2011. I LOVE teaching and helping people to discover the joy of punch needle and aim to ensure everyone receives as much individualized attention as possible just like you would if we were in person. 

In class we will be covering all the basics; which frames, backings, yarns are best and why, what the different sizes of punch needles are, how to easily thread your punch, how to use the punch properly, a brief lesson on colour planning and drawing patterns, where to start and where to go next, and traditional finishing of a punched rug, plus lots of extra tips and tricks along the way. There will be time for you to work on your piece during class, get practice and ask questions as they arise.

Number of Auditors:

None

Instructor:  Ellen Tancock, Nova Scotia

In this class, you will learn the historical significance of rug hooking in our culture and how this beautiful art is in the thread of our ancestors lives and in ours. Come join us rug hooking this lovely picture of the New Ross Farm, Nova Scotia and learn types of hooking, backings, equipment used such as hooks and frames, how to transfer patterns to backings, and wool, lots of beautiful wool. Let’s start rug hooking together! Kit available from Instructor

Number of Auditors:

10

Instructor:  Robin Whitford, Ontario

Number of Auditors:

None

Instructor:  Wendie Scott Davis, Ontario

In this two-session workshop, we will make this little messenger bag together. It is the ultimate recycling project! All you need is the leg from an old pair of jeans – not super skinny – some wool worms (or alternate fibres) for hooking a flap, some fun lining fabric and a strap.

The first session is all about design and colour planning and I will share some great resources.

The second session is all about the finishing, once you have your flap hooked and ready to attach. We will go through all the steps together.

Number of Auditors:

5

Instructor:  Jayne Nevins, Ontario

Join me in adapting ornamental needlework into our rug hooking art form. Learn how to do 14 different creative stitches and join in on the discussion where we will talk about where they can be incorporated into a hooked piece. You will end up with a visual creative stitch sampler and step by step notes on how to do each stitch for future reference.

For class, you will need a variety of left over 4 or 5 cut noodles and perhaps 2 pieces of backing – one to practice your stitches on then the sampler pattern where you will confidently place the stitches for your future reference piece. Two pieces of backing is not mandatory. A paper copy of the pattern will be sent to you to transfer on the backing of your choice, if requested. The picture shows it on verel.

Number of Auditors:

None

Instructor:  Jane Holden, Nova Scotia

Learn to dye blues that stay Beautifully Blue. Jane will show examples of wool exposed to sunlight and discuss the lightfast information available for “pure dyes.

Did you know that each ‘pure dye’ is ranked from 1 to 8 in lightfastness? You will use simple lightfast charts that include brands like Pro Chem, Jacquard, Dharma Trading and Ciba. Once you know which blue dyes are best you will see ways to improve your favorite formulas.We will cover color families, such as blue-green & blue-violet, pastels and processing wool to improve lightfastness. Next comes the fun as you experiment and dye at home in Zoom Dye Sessions. Learn to skip the faders and use better blue dyes, so that you can dye skies, water and spaceships that all stay Beautifully Blue.

Number of Auditors:

None

Instructor:  Pam Bartlett, New Hampshire

The eyes are the windows to the soul, no matter what the creature and birds of prey especially have intensity in their eyes to see into our souls.

Students will have a choice of a 12” x 12” raptor eye, owl, eagle, hawk of which students will receive a detailed drawing or pattern. This will enable everyone to follow step by step to be able to apply their knowledge hooking other eyes.

Number of Auditors:

None

Instructor:  Anne Lockhart, Prince Edward Island

Most of the walls in my house are covered with rugs. I have rugs made from my own photos; Van Gogh, Emily Carr, and The Group of Seven. In this course “From Pictures to Rugs” I will enable you to move from a picture or a painting to a magnificent rug.Your image is your inspiration and I will help you adapt it to a hooked piece.

In this class you will learn the little bag of tricks I have accumulated in over 20 years of attending classes up and down the eastern seaboard and teaching.

Your requirements are a photo, an outline on backing, wool and a sense of humour. Info on how to put your image on the backing will be included in the teacher’s letter.

Number of Auditors:

10

Instructor:  Michele Micarelli, Connecticut

One of the most frequently asked questions in Michele’s classes is “That wool is beautiful, but how do you use it?” So, she is offering this class to answer that question. Students will be learning how to use fancy dyed wool like, dips and trans colors as well as discussing use of spot dyed wool. She will also go over techniques on using velvets, silks, and yarns.

A demo on disassembling a silk tie and how to hook with it, will also be a part of the instructions. The afternoon of day 3 will be a dye lesson in which you may actively dye along with Michele or just observe. Results to be shown on the morning of day 4 and any trouble shooting discussed.

Students who sign up for the class will be given a list of a wide choice of patterns suitable for the course. Patterns will range in size from pillow top to full size rugs. Custom designs available with early planning. Wool will also be for sale with the lesson in mind and preplanning. 

Number of Auditors:

10

Instructor:  Donna Gass, Nova Scotia

Did you know the motif of the Paisley goes back to 1740? Join us and we will explore the world of Paisley.

These Paisley motifs can be in the water or in the sky, Paisley as petals of flowers, a Paisley cat,  the wings of birds, let your imagination go wild and of course the Paisley motif on its own. There are a multitude of Paisley patterns. We will start by colour planning your mat and depending on your size of pattern you can use a narrow or wide cut…your choice. We will be experimenting with a few special stitches and creating a unique border for your mat. Join us for some creative hooking.

Number of Auditors:

5

Instructor:  Jackie Alcock, Newfoundland

I love both rug hooking and Appliqué. It was not long before I was mixing the two. I have now been adding Appliqué to my rugs for over 10 years. In this course I will teach you what I have learned and about my process.

We will go over a rug design and choose what elements in that design will make a good Appliqué. We will discuss how to make the Appliqué and discuss what materials make for a good Appliqué. We will also discuss enhancing the Appliqué with embroidery and other things. Most importantly I will show you how to attach an Appliqué to a backing. I will discuss the use of the sewing machine to do this.

Number of Auditors:

None

Instructor:  Winnie Glavine, Newfoundland

In this course, participants will focus on using repurposed clothing, including t-shirts, velour, satins, hosiery, and other fabrics to give detail, depth and dimension to a Newfoundland landscape scene.

Winnie has designed a pattern which includes a building(s), land, water, and sky but it will have room for students to add their own elements. The pattern will be available to students after registration with suggestions of what fabrics you will need to gather.

Number of Auditors:

10

Instructor:  Ruth Downing, Nova Scotia

This course will focus on hooking the face of St. Nick and capturing his expressive features. A 6-value swatch will be used for a whimsical yet detailed face. Wool, yarn and texture for the beard and clothing will be creatively used to add detail, depth and dimension to this beloved figure from the past.

Ruth has designed two St. Nick faces which will be available to students in February once they have registered for the course. The patterns are drawn as pictorials which include a village scene, snowy hills and trees. In class, these elements will be examined at length along with the many moods of snow. Join Ruth for a fun and creative week! Commercial designs by Tish Murphy would also be suitable choices for this course.

Number of Auditors:

10