Thought I would share with you a simple lesson on oxford punch. I have a couple of different sizes but this is the one I have being using the most a #10. I have tried different sizes of wool strips but #6 seems to work the best. Yes...this is a big pile of worms but I like to just have a bunch ready to go.
Next, I use cheap monk's cloth the needle glides through the cheaper kind. You can find it at Wal~Mart, Hobby Lobby, or JoAnn's. You can use a wide quilter's hoop to stretch the monk's cloth or I really prefer my rug hooking frame with the gripper strips. You will want to get your monk's cloth drum tight just like for punch needle.
I drew these little rug mugs onto my monk's cloth with a sharpie. Stretched the cloth drum tight and I'm ready to go. Now remember you are working looking at the backside and the loops will be on the reverse side...just like for regular punch needle.
I like to cut my wool strips as long as I can makes for not having to stop and reload as often. First thread the strip through the eye of the needle then up through the slit for the wool I don't bother with putting it through the little loop on top of the punch needle it stays in the needle just fine without using it.
You may have to pull the wool back and forth a little until it slips into the slit. In this photo it still needs to sit inside the slit.
Now I'm ready to begin punching. Be sure to punch all the way down to the wood portion of the needle each time it helps to make your loops more uniform.
Here is the backside of the pattern. All of the backside photo's will have the marker pattern.
More filled in looking from the back.
The hat is now filled in.
Backside with more filled in.
The snowman is complete now to do the background.
Starting on the background.
One rug mug punched just needs steamed and bound.
Now to make a sheep with wool and yarn. Any kind of yarn will work. Now if you are partial to just wool just use wool yarn but really any kind will work. There are so many wonderful yarns out there...hand~dyed, some with flecks, and thick and thin yarns.
If you find that your yarn is a little thin just double it and it will be just fine.
This yarn that I chose for the sheep I doubled. I also use the little hook at the top and pass the yarn through there first then down through the slit and into the eye of the punch needle. Yarn is a very fast way to punch as you don't have to keep filling up the needle with strips.
Oxford punch needle loaded with double strand of yarn ready for punching.
Back side of sheep mug rug.
Back side of sheep mug rug punched with yarn and wool strips.
Front side of sheep mug rug ready to be steamed and bound.
Now find your oxford punch needle and give this a try. I think you will find it's very relaxing, fun, and you can have a small project done in just one evening.
Another hint....try overdying that yarn that might be in your stash that you may not care for with rit tan dye you might be surprised by the great prim colors you come up with.
Happy Trails....Ginger
