Rittermere-Hurst-Field (sounds like a law firm) is a growing family business that offers supplies and designs for traditional rug hooking. This might sound pretty standard but we are much more. We offer colour planning, custom dyeing, a wide variety of hand dyed wool flannel, advice and good old conversation (when time permits).

Rittermere-Hurst-Field (RHF) offers friendly customer service in a cozy atmosphere. Rug hookers, new and experienced, visit our studio, while those who live a distance (USA, England, Japan, Bermuda and across Canada), enjoy our mail order service. Our studio is located in Aurora, Ontario, Canada; that's just a short distance north of Toronto.

RHF is a proud member of the Ontario Hooking Craft Guild, ATHA and TIGHR (The International Guild of Handhooking Rug Makers).

Who on earth is Rittermere-Hurst-Field?

Let me take you back to the 1950s when Mrs. Rittenhouse and her daughter Margaret Rowan opened a small craft shop at their home in the Niagara Peninsula. It wasn't long before they realized that it was the rug hooking that interested most people. Margaret began designing rug patterns, Mrs. Rittenhouse began dyeing wool and Ted Rowan, an engineer, gave up his job to become involved in this growing business.

By the mid 1960s, Rittermere Craft Studio became a very special place, where rug hookers became teachers, shading manuals were prepared, new designs were plentiful and all were made welcome.

My involvement in rug hooking started in 1965 when I visited the studio and I was hooked. My artistic background came to the surface and I began designing my own rug patterns. Ted Rowan encouraged me to teach and I took part in any courses that were offered. The great interest in rug hooking was apparent to me and so, in the early 1970s, Hurst-Field Designs became a reality.

In the fall of 1984, Margaret and Ted Rowan decided to retire and what a wonderful opportunity to join my small business with theirs to further the growth of rug hooking.

"Rittermere-Hurst-Field" is in its 15th year and history is now repeating itself. Just as Margaret Rowan joined her mother 45 years ago, my daughter, Andrea Sheppard has joined me.

Rug Hooking has changed the course of my life. On to my latest adventure - this Website.

Thanks for visiting,