The Grenfell Story

The origin of Grenfell Handicrafts dates back to the early 1900s when Sir Wilfred Grenfell, an English-born medical doctor and missionary, served among the fisherfolk of northern Newfoundland and Labrador.

Dr. Grenfell was impressed by the quality of clothing handcrafted by housewives in tiny communities along the rugged coast. He was equally impressed with their expertise in mat-hooking and embroidery. He recommended that families use these skills as a means to supplement the meager incomes they earned from fishing. To assist in making and marketing their handcrafted parkas, mitts and slippers, he established Grenfell Handicrafts as the industrial division of the Grenfell Mission. It quickly gained a reputation for excellent quality and workmanship.

Today the Grenfell tradition is alive and well at Grenfell Handicrafts and is located in the Grenfell Interpretation Centre. On site workers cut and stencil the garments for embroidery work, and check every garment that is produced to ensure that the Grenfell quality is maintained. The sewing and embroidery work is done just as it was in the days of Dr. Grenfell. Pieceworkers, mostly women call in at St. Anthony and pick up the material which has been cut and stencilled. They return to small communities such as Green Island Cove, Raleigh and St. Lunaire where they will work in their own homes to fashion the quality materials into Parkas, Coats, Slippers and Mitts.

Grenfell products have been sold around the world and have served as gifts to members of the Royal Family, leading heads of state and even Pope John Paul II.

Hooked Rugs
Clothing & Accessories