Cheticamp Hooked Rugs

About Us

Rug Hooking Capital of the World/History

Cheticamp is a beautiful Acadian fishing village located at the western entrance of the famously renowned Cabot Trail and its’ handmade hooked rugs are known as the most beautiful and highest quality hooked rugs in the world. Not only will the scenery take your breath away, but for those who love the finer things in life, these rugs will also take your breath away. Cheticamp hooked rugs are made with high quality burlap and sheep’s wool that is dyed by hand locally. They have been made and presented to many important people, including the Queen of England, a US president and large one which was made in 1998 with each floral emblem of the provinces of Canada and is still displayed in Rideau Hall in Ottawa. Cheticamp’s “hookers” are often called upon to make specialized hooked rugs for special occasions and they definitely know how to deliver the goods. The fact that they were first introduced in Cheticamp by a New York artist, Lillian Burke, and by the family of the famous telephone inventor, Alexander Graham Bell, also gives them significant value.

About 1000 ft from l'Église Saint-Pierre, and next to the Cheticamp Co-op, you will find the Coopérative Artisanale, a gift shop/museum/restaurant, incorporated in 1963 by a group of cooperative-minded individuals wishing to assure the survival of the rug-hooking industry by buying and selling these artistic creations. This particular co-op specializes in the wholesale and retail of hooked rugs, hangings, doilies, coasters, etc. This art has its own style and designs. Most of the creations incorporate pastel colours and shaded flowers, bordered with green leaves. However, more and more, we find hooked sceneries, portraits, and rugs made to very precise specifications.

Close to 75 men and women hook, more so from fall to spring, in order to assure an ample supply of hookings for the tourist season. Orders come in from all over the world and all are completed as specified. Through the years, the co-op has added a restaurant that specializes in Acadian dishes. In the basement of the gift shop, you will find a historical museum. Visitors number about 30,000 per season and the number grows every year. From a small business at its onset, the Co-opérative Artisanale has grown and prospered to where it now employs 20 people during the summer months. The Co-op Artisanale simply must be part of your vacation to Chéticamp. You will be greeted in the friendly manner of the Acadians, and in the language of your choice.