Hooking beauty on display at Yarmouth County museum

In olden days rug hooking was not so much for beauty as it was for a practical purpose – to have something warm on the floor.

The base of these rugs was made from burlap sacks that the livestock feed came in, and the fabric was any kind of cloth too old for wearing or making into quilts.

Influenced by mothers and grandmothers, rug hooking has been passed through the generations.

Nowadays, the craft has evolved into a stunning form of art – with intricate hookings of landscapes, shadings to add depth and the addition of fur, jewelry and other items in the pattern.

A 20th anniversary exhibit at the Yarmouth County Museum & Archives highlights the work of a Yarmouth rug hooking group – the Rugg Bees –and can be viewed throughout December.

The Yarmouth Rugg Bees resulted from Ann Durkee and Elaine Howatt enrolling in a six-week beginner workshop on rug hooking, taught by Shirley Bradshaw. The women had some interest in hooking but say they “truly were beginners.”

They joined an existing group called the Carpetbaggers but found the meeting times difficult for working women.

Bradshaw encouraged them to form an evening group and, with a catchy new name supplied by Eleanor MacKenzie, the Rugg Bees were born.

Howatt says the group was small at first, but that it’s grown over the years.

“Pre-COVIDd, we had 40plus members. A wonderful accomplishment,” she says.

“Today, we still have a strong membership, which speaks well of our program. Members range from professionals, to self-employed, retired, at home members, an international member and one male."

Beginners start with a small hooking piece, but not always.

“Some commence with big projects. However, those who have worked with fibre generally feel very comfortable jumping in,” says Howatt.

At the exhibit opening, Rugg Bees member Elizabeth Sweeney sits quietly, hooking a small hoop with a holly and berries pattern for a coaster.

“I began hooking two years ago, stopped and resumed just recently,” she says. “I was kind of missing it.”

She likes the small projects for their portability and works on them sometimes while watching TV.

There are no boundaries to size, style or technique with rug hooking. It’s a craft that encourages free expression.

The timeline for each project depends on many factors, including individual hooking speeds.

Some people hook fast, while others tend to be slower. But it’s never a race.

Typically, it would take several months for a mat of considerable size, but simple style.

Tools and materials required include a beginners hook ($10 to $15), simple hoop ($35), pattern, wool, yarn (price would vary depending on new or reclaimed.)

A cutter can be a big expense, but once purchased it lasts for years. The Rugg Bees have a cutter for use on-site at the Yarmouth County Museum.

Once an investment is made in the basic equipment, then costs are per project going forward. Hookers can draw their own patterns, dye their own yarn/wool and use recycled wool. All approaches make the hobby more affordable.

Group projects have been accomplished over the years to benefit local charities. Durkee says these include several mats for which tickets were sold, with funds directed to the museum, cancer unit and Yarmouth Hospital.

“We also hosted a baby shower for Princess Diana, collecting diapers which were donated to Parents Place,” she says. “We sent the Princess a note telling her what we did and we received a letter from the Royal Family.”

In 2010, the Doorways to Yarmouth project was completed to celebrate the town’s 250th anniversary. The project was a joint one with the Yarmouth Carpetbaggers and Rugg Bees.

In the past, the Rugg Bees have worked with many groups, including the Yarmouth Writers Group, Yarmouth Art Society, Craft Splash (Yarmouth Craft Guild) Seafest, Western NS Exhibition and rug hooking groups in Shelburne, Weymouth and West Pubnico.

Howatt says they have also organized an annual Spring Fling, hosting up to 300 hookers some years from all Maritime provinces and as far away as Ontario and the United States.

Durkee says the benefits of belonging to the Rugg Bees are many.

“Friendship, knowledge, socialization and learning a new craft... many members do other crafts as well,” she says.

Howatt says the benefits of belonging to the group include: "Fellowship, artist expression and community engagement. Some say it’s a good stress release ... foremost, we gather to share and have fun.”

The Rugg Bees meet weekly on Thursdays from noon to 3 p.m. at the Yarmouth County Museum on Collins Street. New hookers and other fibre artists are always welcome. Annual fees are $20, which includes a $5 donation to the museum. Annual dues are collected in September.