Last week we had a very special presentation about Finnish Net Rugs. Ms. Lansdowne’s aunt makes beautiful rugs and we are very lucky that she agreed to come in and teach us all about them!
Mrs. Orr taught us about the history of the rugs and showed us how she makes them.
Did you Know?
- The net rug was a Sointula invention
- Mrs. Helmi Pakkalen noticed the many discarded fishing nets lying around and knew there had to be a use for them
- In the beginning the gill nets were made out of cotton, then came 3 ply nylon, and then mono (made more of plastic)
- There were many discarded nets when the fishermen switched from the 3 ply web to the new mono web
- The rugs are made by crocheting strands of the gill net together
- When you cut the nets you get long strings with tails on them
- The tails make the pile of the rug
- Mrs. Pakkalen made 400 rugs
- It takes Mrs. Orr about 40 hours to make a rug
- Mrs. Orr has made 183 rugs and she has taught many people how to make rugs too
- The rugs are different colours because fishermen used different coloured nets depending on the colour of the water they were fishing in
- Gill net rugs are soft and will last a very,very long time!
Dear Class,
The rugs were so pretty don’t you agree? If that really thin tipe of rug was blue stoned and it fell I would be scared. I can’t believe that Mrs. Orr made 183 Rugs.
That was fun learning about net rugs.
From Jorja
Dear Class,
I thoght it was fun learning about net rugs. Do you think it was fun learning about net rugs. The rugs are so pretty! Dont yoiu agree?
FRom Merissa
I recently visited the museum in Campbell River and came upon the wondrous work of rugs crafted by gill nets. I would like to learn how to make the rugs and hope to hear from someone regarding classes or lessons to make one.
is there any way i can purchase instructions to make the fishing net rugs? thanks