The world of rug hooking has lost a special person. Lyle Drier passed away December 21, 2023 at the age of 75. Lyle was the wife of Dennis for 53 years and for 17 years fought multiple myeloma. She will be remembered for her talent, enthusiasm in her projects and the projects of others, love of life, concern for others, easy smile, and contagious laugh.
Here is Lyle's story, in her own words:
In 1979 I read an article on Rug Hooking in Woman’s Day magazine. I sent away for the pattern mentioned in the article (Texas Star), and after teaching myself how to hook, this became my first rug. I followed this rug with a few others in the 1970’s, and a small rug in 1981 featuring our neighborhood cat. I then took a break from rug hooking and did some weaving, created a number of counted cross stitch samplers, and worked on other needlework projects. When we moved to Waukesha in 1988, I continued with my cross stitch projects. Then one day in late 1989, a neighbor (Donna Zinnecker) asked if I would be interested in attending a Cream City Rug Hooking Guild meeting (CCRHG). Donna was an active rug hooker and long time member of Cream City Rug Hooking Guild. The dye was cast. I became a member of Cream City Rug Hooking Guild and resumed my rug hooking. I met Joyce Krueger, who became my teacher, friend, and traveling companion to rug hooking schools and exhibitions all over the country. I created 310+ rugs, wall hangings, and small hooked items over the 33 years since I resumed hooking in 1989. I have been fortunate to have my work recognized both locally and nationally. My rugs and wall hangings have won 100+ awards at the Wisconsin State Fair (1993 – 2023). My work has been recognized through seventeen appearances in “Celebrations”, the annual juried publication of Rug Hooking Magazine. My work has been exhibited in Michigan, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Iowa, Indiana, Georgia, and Minnesota, where my pieces have won many awards. I have met many wonderfully talented rug hookers and teachers over the years, and have had the chance to take classes from some of the leading teachers in the country. I am very fortunate that there is a very active rug hooking guild centered in my home area (the Cream City Rug Hookers). What a wonderful group of people rug hookers are. These factors certainly helped to stimulate me creatively. There are many rugs yet to be hooked. Many Ideas yet to be explored. Many classes yet to take. Many rug hookers yet to meet.
We will truly miss you, Lyle.
Some examples of Lyle's work are shown below.
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Fantasy Flight, hooked in 2010. Appeared in Celebrations, Issue XXII (2012). The idea for this rug came from guided meditation where the class went high above the earth in a hot air baloon. It took Lyle many months to come up with the final design. Pris Butler color-planned the rug for Lyle.
Easter Morning, hooked in 2019. Appeared in Celebrations, Issue XXX (2020). The design was drawn from a photo taken on Easter morning. Lyle's Mom always made matching dresses for Easter. (Lyle loved the blue ribbon sashes). Sister Joan was about 3 or 4, and Lyle would have been 7 or 8. Joan looks like she might have wanted to cry, but Mom's reassuring two fingers made everything okay. Donna Hrkmann drew the patter from the photo and dyed the "flower garden" fabric, which was blue spotted on white witha q-tip.
Wisconsin Wild Life, 60"x66", hooked in 2002. The animals were drawn by Larry Kascht. This wall hanging was made for the opening of the new Retzer Nature Center building. The rug took almost a year to design, and another year to hook. It was installed in the new building in 2005, where it now hangs in the lobby.
Gamlastan, Swedish Doors to the Past, 26.5"x36", hooked in 2007. Appeared in Celebrations XIX. Lyle and husband Dennis vacationed in Sweden with their friends. They loved the doors in the old part of Stockholm called Gamia Stan. The rug was designed from photos of the doors. The center block is the entrace to Gamla Stan, through the stone walls. The pattern was drawn directon on the linen and hooked in 2 and 3 cuts.
Victorian Garden, 38.5"x48", hooked in 2012. This project was color-planned and started ina workshop with Michele Micarelli. Lyle picked all her colors ahead of time, and Michelle suggested the background.
1876 Stone Barn, 24.5"x36.5", hooked in 2023. Lyle photographed this barn many times over the years as she made trips to Horicon Marsh. It was built in 1876 using three different stone facings for the front. All of the corners, window, and door surrounds are cream city brick. It is so beautiful and unusual. Lyle fell in love with it years ago, and finally was able to put it into a rug. The setting for the barn is imaginary, but it sets off this wonderful architectural gem.
Crazy Borders, 45"x45", hooked in 2021. Lyle designed this rug after seeing an antique one with a similar center. She added the borders as she went along, to add interest. The last row of borders was added to make the rug the size she wanted!. The color plan came from two quilts that she saw at the WIsconsin State Fair. The rug took only 2 months to hook.
The Circus Comes To Town, 38"x38", hooked in 2016. Lyle had visited the Barabook Circus World Museume several years ago. Dennis took numerous photos of th ecircus wagon wheels. Lyle knew at that time that she would design a rug using these photos.