Artist crochets her way to Dog River

Thank you to the Prince Albert Daily Herald for the great article!

© Herald photo by Tyler Clarke

That’s correct -- Dog River; the fictional town featured in the television series Corner Gas.

“I was one of the first people crazy enough to say ‘Let’s go to Dog River,’” she said -- one of the first Saskatchewan artists to accept the Facebook invitation.

In celebration of Corner Gas, the Town of Rouleau, where the television series was filmed and where a debut movie is being filmed this summer, is hosting Dog River Days.

“I’ve watched it a few times,” Carleton said of the series. “I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard fan, but I think it’s cool that they’re putting Saskatchewan in the spotlight.”

Originally from Ontario, Carleton’s story mirrors that of Lacey -- a Corner Gas Character who moves to Saskatchewan from Toronto.

“I had no idea that Saskatchewan was like Prince Albert and area – growing up in Ontario,” Carleton said, adding that when she first moved to Saskatchewan 16 years ago people mistook her for an American.

“Saskatchewan’s so fantastic -- it’s so laid back,” she said -- stark contrast to Ontario.

I wouldn’t call myself a die-hard fan, but I think it’s cool that they’re putting Saskatchewan in the spotlight.Carolyn Carleton

Her upcoming trip to Dog River will be only one of two significant trips Carleton has on her 2014 schedule.

Some time in August she’ll be heading to Regina to host a crochet workshop with a handful of wives of Saskatchewan Roughriders players.

“Crocheting is a new hip thing to do, I guess,” Carleton said with a shrug.

“I am so excited – I’m taking crocheting on the road.”

Between these two trips, full crochet classes at the Prince Albert Arts Centre and busy website traffic at www.livingskiescrochet.com, Carleton said that she’s confident she made the right career choice.

In January, Carleton took on crocheting as a full-time career, having previously dabbled in it as a hobby.

“The first selling that I really did was the Evergreen Market at the E. A. Rawlinson Centre in November,” she said.

“That’s when I figured out that my designs were catching on.”