Cheticamp-Style Rugs
Learn how to design and hook a Cheticamp-style rug
Betty Ann learned how to “hook” from her mother at the age of six and is a fourth generation rug hooker. She has over 30 years in group facilitation and uses this craft as her daily “grounding” moment. She has also taught rug hooking classes in New-Brunswick for several years. Though she never made it her career, she is very interested in showing the potential of this craft. She hopes that by teaching rug hooking it will honour the artisans who kept it alive. She hopes to help promote and revive this craft with as many who want to join in. This craft can be done by the young, the more mature and those in between. It can be an inter-generational activity as it was for both of us growing up.
Rug hooking can be a form of “zen” and “meditation” moment.
It can be good for the soul. Try it!
Fall/Winter 2024
Where:
Live on Zoom and recording shared with registered students.
Hosted by Robin Whitford – Hooking Outside the Lines
Teacher: Betty Ann Cormier
When:
Tuesdays: November 26 & December 3, 2024
6:30pm to 8:30pm ET
Cost:
$135 / class and kit (shipping not included)
In this online workshop you will learn the fundamentals of traditional Cheticamp style rug hooking while making this 4×4″ coaster. The kit includes the pattern on burlap (the preferred backing for this style hooking), a handmade hook, and the fine wool yarn required.
*** Kits will be mailed at the end of October.
Register:
To register visit hookingoutsidethelines.com
Fall 2025 - Chéticamp Hooking and Rug Making Experience
Where:
Le Canton Culturel
(Conseil des arts de Chéticamp)
15118 Cabot Trail, Cheticamp, NS. B0E 1H0
Tel.: 506-855-4480
When:
September 22-26, 2025
Arrival on Monday, September 22nd, 2025, an evening visit to Le Canton Culturel will be scheduled.
Classes from Tuesday to Thursday September 23rd to September 25th, 2025 from 9:00am to 4:30pm, then on Friday, September 26th 9:00am to noon.
Leave on Friday, September 26th, 2025.
During the day, rug hooking will be the main activity.
In the evenings, participants will be invited to participate in events, such as kitchen parties, visits in the community, local shops, museum and with rug hookers.
Rug School will be happening in the Fall, the Cape Breton mountains will be changing into their vibrant new colours. We will visit the Highlands.
Cost:
$1630, plus taxes / participant
*Deposit: $800, no refunds after May 31st, 2025. The balance to be paid on or before August 31st, 2025.
Includes;
- One week experience,
- Lunches and dinners,
- Musical and community events.
Please Note: Cancellations : A $100 administration fee will be charged between October 1st, 2024 and May 30th, 2025.
C.H.A.R.M. Experience reserves the right to cancel classes due to insufficient enrolment.
Register:
To register email [email protected] or call 506-855-4480
Rug Hooking Kits
You want to have a try in creating a Cheticamp-style 4″x4″ rug? Here is your opportunity. There are 11 different patterns available at this time. More will be added soon.
Included in each kit:
- 14″x14″ burlap with pattern design
- 2-ply fine sheep’s wool
- handmade hook
- instructions
Cost (other supplies needed):
With hook $35 (plus shipping and taxes)
Without hook $20 (plus shipping and taxes)
*Note* A Morgan hoop is recommended and needed to complete the project. These particular hoops are not in the kit.
Individual handmade hooks available at $15 (plus shipping and taxes)
Scissors
How to order:
Please order rug-hooking kits by using email [email protected]
Available Rug Hooking Kits:
Allo, Birdie
Blue Bird at my window
Candle
Free Sailing
House on Cape Breton
Let’s Do Basics
Orca
Purple Flower on Stem
Round Blue Bird
Round Yellow Bird
Shaded purple simple flower with leaves
Feuille d’érable / Maple Leaf
Yellow Bird, with berries 5″ x 5″
Items for sale
Hand-dyed wool
2024 TIGHR Lily – 5 shades, 2-ply fine wool from Lemieux
$125
Dyed wool packages at $25 each
Each package contains eight bundles of 48 feet long.
No 1 Tiger Lily
No 2 Green/Blue
No 3 Yellow/Green
No 4 Yellow/Green
No 5 Gold
No 6 Green
No 7 Green/Blue (no white)
Hooks
Handmade hooks by Roland Beaudry, Betty Ann’s partner, are available.
Price: $15 / regular and $20 / pencil hook. Each hook is carefully handcrafted, prepared, and signed by the artisan.
Level I - Baby Steps 1, 2, 3 (beginner)
Through adult learning methods, the participant will learn the basic steps in hooking a Cheticamp-style rug. Betty Ann will guide you through the process while having fun and learning a new craft. She will also share some anecdotal story of her own experiences and facts about the history of the beginnings of this 1920’s local “cottage industry”.
You will learn the basic steps of hooking a 4square inch Cheticamp style mug rug. However, as a beginner, minimum of 6 hours of classes is recommended. No pieces will be kept on our frames from one class to another nor will you be able to bring what you worked on the frame home. However, Betty Ann will encourage you to practice at home on the free kits we will provide to you after the class or on your own frame.
She will encourage you to let your “creative juices” flow. Betty Ann will have a few good stories to share and lots of laughs while learning all of what you need to know about “hooking”!
To learn more about this & other workshops.
Level II - Learning to Fly on Your Own (Intermediate)
This course is for those who after being comfortable with what they have learned in Level I or who already know how to hook, wish to learn more about designing, shading techniques, using two-ply fine wool in different ways, etc. We will do our best to have additional rug hookers in the class to help you out.
To learn more about this & other workshops.
Up-Coming...
- Level III – It Is Amazing (Advanced)
- Learning how to dye your own two-ply fine wool, the Cheticamp way
- Let’s Talk Natural Dyes
What's New!
École Étoile de l`Acadie – 90 minute Cheticamp-style rug hooking class with 10 participants
Betty Ann enjoyed teaching at le Centre Communautaire de l`École de l`Acadie on Saturday January 20 2024, from 1300-1430. Thank you Atika Brayebane, DG for coordinating all of this. There were lots of smiles and stories.
Link: Atelier de tapis hooké – Le 7 février 2024 (lecourrier.com)
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On January 30th and February 6th Betty Ann taught her very first virtual group rug-hooking course. Robin Whitford from Hooking between the Lines coordinated all. The class filled up within 48 hours after the invitation went public. Twenty-five (25) participants enjoyed trying this new craft and hear all about the history of the very important and well-known cottage-industry.
Link: Learn Cheticamp Style Rug Hooking with this Class and Kit Combo! – Hooking Outside The Lines
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You want to learn how to dye yarn/wool the Cheticamp way?
Here you go…
Cheticamp-Style Wool Dyeing 90 minute class
École NDA (15118 Cabot Trail) on Saturday February 24th 2024 from 130-300pm
We will have four of Chéticamp wool-dyeing experts as our teachers. They are Lucienne LeFort, Raymonde Doucet, Marie-Louise Deveau, and Sylvia Roach.
Please forward your $25 (non-refundable) registration fee to [email protected] at your earliest convenience. You are asked to bring three (3) skeins of wool of two (2) ply fine wool to the class. You will be invited to choose from our large collection of commercial dyes and go home with the 3 skeins, dyed in 3 shades of one color, while learning or improving your skills. You can purchase your wool from Les Trois Pignons, Chéticamp. Should you need some wool, you may call them at 902-224-2642 to make arrangements. To register please contact Betty Ann at your earliest convenience.
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Rencontre des hookeuses de Chéticamp Rug Hookers get-together
Meets monthly, last Saturday of each month (October-June)
Rencontre mensuel, dernier samedi de chaque mois (octobre-juin)
Le Canton Culturel, 15118 Cabot Trail, Chéticamp
1000-noon/midi
Contact information: BettyAnn Cormier
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19th edition of la Semaine acadienne in Courseuille-sur-mer, Normandie, France
Summer 2024 was a busy time for the artist. Betty Ann and her husband, Roland were invited to the 19th edition of la Semaine acadienne in Courseuille-sur-mer, Normandie, France. They were invited as guest artists for ten days where Betty Ann offered three classes in the initiation of Cheticamp-style rug hooking. The classes were a definite hit! She also offered two children classes in the art of maple leaf decoration and preparation for the Tintamarre. On August 15th, Acadian National Day, the couple celebrated with the French in le grand Tintamarre.
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The International Guild of Handhooking Rugmakers
Videos
The video above was produced by the Artisanale Team some 20 years ago. The artisan cooperative was a leader in the promotion of the Cheticamp-style rug. It was active for fifty years.
