Award-Winning Rugs at the Annual

One of the exciting elements of the OHCG’s Annual Conference is the display of rugs for judging. This year’s event in Cobourg on May 10 (Peace, Love & Rug’n Roll) will be featuring the judged rugs in the Art Gallery of Northumberland, which is really special (cool & groovy, too)! The rugs will be on display from April 26 to May 10, and at the conference, we’ll be announcing the winners!

For many of you, judging of rugs is something you’re very familiar with....but for others, it’s a bit of a mystery. We’re going to take the next few Constant Contact emails to explain a bit more about the judging and what to expect. We also hope it will encourage more folks to enter items for consideration!

First of all, you’ll need to know what the categories are, so you can select the right piece from the works you’ve completed in the past year that have not been shown at a previous Annual, posted on social media or published.

Alternative Fibres and Techniques

• Not traditional hooking. May include rug hooking with loops, sculpturing, Proddy and punch needle. It may also incorporate appliqué, pennies, tongues, hand stitches, needlework stitches, buttons, bows, pins, ribbons and use any fibre material that one can hook with.

Fine Cut

• 5 cut or less or yarn equivalent. Can be commercial pattern or original design

Multi Cut

• Combination of Fine Cut and Wide Cut or yarn equivalent. You can use commercial pattern or an original design

Oriental

• Fine or wide cut or yarn equivalent. Again you can use a commercial pattern or create an original design

Original Design

• Any cut (wool or yarn). Must be your idea, your sketch, your “one of a kind” design.

Pictorial

• Fine or wide cut or yarn equivalent. You can use a commercial pattern or an original design

Primitive

• Any cut wool or yarn. This should be a basic or simple design that reflects rugs of yesteryear whether it is a commercial or original design.

Wide Cut Design

• 5 cut or more or yarn equivalent using a commercial pattern or an original design

3 Dimensional

• Any item having length, width and depth such as clothing, footstools, bags, purses, pillows

And finally....are you ready for this? There’s also a non-judged category: Theme

• Peace, Love & Rug’n Roll: the retro theme for 2025: colourful, carefree & fun! The design must be your own. Commercial patterns or adapted pieces are not acceptable for the Theme competition. Have fun with your design!

 Rosettes are awarded in each of the judged categories, for First Place and for Honourable Mention. The Theme Award, however, is determined based on member votes at the Conference: only the winner is awarded.

Next up, we’ll describe the submission process, and after that we’ll get into how the judging itself works! Stay tuned in!

#onthookingcraftguild #rughookersofinstagram #hookedrugs #rughooking #cobourg #artgalleryofnorthumberland

Membership has its privileges!

 

Here’s a friendly reminder from your 2025 Annual Conference Committee: It’s time to renew your OHCG membership! You’ll need to be a member in order to attend the 2025 Conference, taking place in Cobourg on May 10. Why not get it done now, and out of the way?? 

 It’s easy to do: 

• You may renew online (www.ohcg.org) using a credit card. The website is a secure site. 
•  You may etransfer the renewal fee to: ohcgtreasurer@ohcg.org making sure to include membership renewal, their name, full address, phone number, email address and indicate permission to receive OHCG emails in the comments section.
• You may print the membership form from the website and mail it with a cheque to: Bonnie Waterfield, 6 West Village Drive, Inglewood ON L7C 1H4
• Inquiries can be sent to ohcgmembership@ohcg.org. 

 

So... what are the advantages of membership to the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild or OHCG, you ask?      

• Become a member of a group whose members include many of the best crafters from Ontario and other parts of the world.
• Receive quarterly magazine-style newsletters featuring the work of our creative group, with helpful articles from award winning rug hookers, news from different branches and ads from a variety of vendors covering yarns, fabrics, patterns and hooking accessories.
•  Get access to a our website with up to date info on events, suppliers, rug hooking schools/workshops, and more.
•  Locate & join rug hooking groups in your area, for an opportunity to socialize, learn and be inspired.
• Receive regular emails announcing local hook-ins across Ontario and other important news updates.
• Take beginners to advanced courses from OHCG teachers to learn techniques, often at a reduced price. Gain access to courses that allow you to become an accredited OHCG teacher. Many of these workshops are offered virtually.
• ….and finally….attend the members-only OHCG Annual Conference which includes judging displays, interesting speakers and access to many vendors all under one roof. Meet up to exchange ideas and tips with like-minded people, and just generally become more inspired and enthused about rug hooking!