Thursday, November 18, 2010

Oxford Punch With Wool and Yarn



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

21 comments:

Christine said...

very cute!

auntdeedee said...

I just came across your blog! Thanks for the inspiration...i got an oxford punch awhile ago and have yet to use it! This was a nice simple tutorial. Thanks!!

Rugs and Pugs said...

Thanks, Ginger. Maybe after the holidays I will dig out the Oxford and give it the old college try!
Happy Thanksgiving!
Pug hugs :)
Lauren

Mary said...

Ginger, thanks for the tutorial. I must say that I am intrigued. Never really thought seriously about rug punching until I started reading about it on your blog. I'm thinking it would be a great way to use up my extra worms. I seem to have a lot of 8's. Would the size 10 punch work with those as well or would another size be best? May have to ask Santa for one!!! Thanks for all of your inspiration. Hope all is well!

Chelle (Dana) said...

They are great and Thanks for the tutorial. I've done a couple of mug mats with regular rug hooking. However, I'm stuck on how to do the finishing on them. Any tips or another tutorial, maybe?

primitivebettys said...

Very informative! Thank you Ginger! :)

Unknown said...

Thanks for the tutorial Ginger, you made it look so easy!

Country Prims said...

Thank you so much for that tutorial-I have just started to do rug hooking with the oxford punch and that was so helpful:)

Shazy x

Lee Morrison said...

Hi Ginger! I bought an Oxford punch about a year ago and haven't used it yet. You've inspired me to finally get it out and try it!

I've looked at instructions to hook with yarn and I got the impression that it's different than hooking with wool......is that true! Something about the way you hold the yarn?? Just curious!

Thanks for the instructions!

Lee

Farm Girl said...

That is a very nice tutorial. I did my first rug and the whole time I kept wondering if I was doing it right and I used so many different textures of yarn. You really helped me see that I did it right. Everything looks really good and I wondered about the Monk's Cloth I had because it does seem so big to get loops though. Thanks I needed this so much, you make me feel so much better.

Maria said...

Great Lesson and tips Ginger. I can't believe you use the cheaper monks cloth. I'll have to give it a try. How do you make those finish those mats...the reason I ask, is because it appears that you hooked them close together. Maria

Primitives By The Light of The Moon said...

Lee~ No difference really between punching with wool or yarn...except yarn is faster and at times needs to be doubled. You still hold the punch tool the same for the wool or yarn.

Maria~ I did punch them very close together. Since they are just going to be mug mats I don't plan on binding them. I just put Elmer's glue on the back of the punched area working it into the fibers. It bonds it all together. Then once it is dry I cut it out close to the edge. Glue a wool backing on the back of the mat and then if any of the edge is showing I glue a #6 strip around the edge and allow it to dry. Very quick and simple.

WoolenSails said...

I have the cheap monks and thought it was too loose for punching. I will have to try it. I do like using yarn too and I use verel for that, smaller holes and even weave.

Debbie

appleberrycottage said...

Thanks for the tutorial, Ginger! I haven't tried the Oxford punch, as I would have to have a bigger stash of wool. Floss for punch needle doesn't take up as much space :-)
Laura

Doris said...

Thanks so much Ginger, what a great lesson for Oxford Punch. I just bought some monks cloth and I want to try this again. I will be referring to your instructions.

Doris said...

Thanks to you Ginger I have made 2 rugs and had such a great time punching them. I am so happy to have another craft I can do. I love it. Can't wait to start another one.

primitivebettys said...

I just re-read your tutorial and am getting excited to give it a go again! Now to find some time... :)

We are suppose to get that snow/ice with you in the next few days. That might be just the TIME I'm looking for!

Stay safe & thank you for sharing this tutorial!

Karen Farley said...

HI Ginger - Thanks for the great tutorial. I have the oxford punch and want to use it. Where can I buy yarn to do this kind of punching? I guess I am one of those "Dummies" that you see all the books about. Would you come to my home in Ohio and teach me? I will fix you a nice lunch with yummy food. Talk to you soon. Stay warm!!!!!

Anonymous said...

Just stopped over to read your tutorial, Betty sent me, she is really punching up a storm. I'm excited to try this, I've got the entire set of oxford punches and just haven't tried them yet...glad to hear that the less expensive monks cloth will work..thanks for all great tips..

Blessings,
~Ronda

Carrie P. said...

thanks for sharing these tips. I am new to punching and hooking.
Can you answer 2 questions for me.
What size width are the strips that you say are #10 and #6?
And do you punch in the big holes or in between the big holes of the monks cloth? I have some of that from joanns.
thanks for your time.

Missie of Traditional Primitives said...

Thanks for the step by step instructions! Very helpful. I am a punchneedler with floss, and have many kits for rug hooking, but have not perfected the loop size being consistantly. Is there a difference between punching rugs and hooking rugs except for the process? Maybe I would so better with punching over hooking! Thank you!