Art In The Hall – The Garrett Bluenose Hooked Rugs

This display of hooked rugs was organized by and features the talented work of rug hookers from Pictou, Antigonish and Guysborough counties. The patterns used for these rugs are known as “Bluenose” patterns. They come from a local New Glasgow family business, Garrett’s.

The Garrett family, starting in 1892 with John E. Garrett and his father Frank Garrett, designed and sold printed burlap patterns for hooked rugs. They were in business for over 80 years and produced hundreds of patterns that were popular with rug hookers. Some of their patterns were sold through Eaton’s and other stores and reached international markets. Garrett’s also sold supplies for hooking such as dyed wool and hooking kits.

After a significant fire forced Garrett’s to close, some of the patterns might have been lost forever. Linda MacDonald, a member of the Nova Scotia Rug Hooking Guild Teacher’s Branch, rescued stencils from the basement of the Garrett’s factory in 1998. From this, she worked to transfer the patterns and catalogue them to be preserved for future generations. The Teacher’s Branch now maintains these patterns and makes them available to guild members through their website.