Hooked Mats of Newfoundland and Labrador; Beauty Born of Necessity by The Rug Hooking Guild
We hope you enjoy this collection of photographs of Newfoundland and Labrador mats and the stories of some of the women who made them. They are a connection to the past, a part of a heritage that, like many Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, survived incredible odds with creativity and resolve. Hand-hooked mats lost their appeal in Newfoundland shortly after Confederation in 1949. For some, they were a reminder of a past filled with hardship: for others, new opportunities in education and lifestyle left little time for such a tedious hobby. Today, a renewed appreciation for handmade products has helped revive interest in this craft.
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