Punch Needle Rug Hooking is a method of rug making that dates back to 1886. At that time the first punch needle was invented by Ebenezer Ross in Toledo, Ohio. Until this time, hooked rugs were made with a rug hook, a tool similar to a crochet hook. The rug hook pulled strips of cut fabric or yarn up through a backing, such as burlap, to create a pile of loops. The new punch needle revolutionized the craft with its great speed and worked by punching down loops from the top of the rug instead of pulling them up from the bottom. Often described as “instant gratification with wool” this method was so popular that over 100 different models of punch needles have been invented since 1886. The instructor will demonstrate the Oxford Punch Needle, which will be used in class, to create a small 5” x 8” or 8” x 8” piece using 100 % wool rug yarn and/or yarn provided by the students on a cotton monk’s cloth backing. By making this small mat, which can be used as a wall hanging, trivet, or table top decoration, students will learn all the basic skills needed to go on to create larger rugs.

Materials Fee is $10.00 and includes:

• 24” x 24” Monks cloth backing fabric
• Templates to create your mat design in class
• A variety of yarn provided by the instructor
• The use of Oxford Punch Needles during class
• $39.00 with box, stitch guide, and directions (To be returned at the end of class if you choose not to purchase it.)
• The use of a 20” x 20” rug frame during class - $25.00 (To be returned at the end of class if you choose not to purchase it.)

Students Bring:

-Each student is asked to bring 24 oz. (or 6- 4 oz balls) of yarn to share with the class, giving everyone a chance to try a wide assortment of fibers. Baby weight, sport weight, sock weight, worsted weight, bulky weight or anything in between will do- from very fine up to 1/8” thick. Left over knitting, weaving, and needlepoint yarns work well. So if you have a stash…bring it in or ask your knitting friends for their left over scraps. At the end of class students can take home their unused yearn or swap with a classmate, if desired. Check out your local knitting or craft stores to find the many fun, interesting, and unusual yarns available today. They can be wool, cotton, angora, alpaca, or any kind of natural or synthetic fiber such as nylon, rayon, polyester, blends, etc. Avoid yarns with big lumps, sequins, loops, or thick spots that won’t fit through the punch needle hole or anything that is very hairy! Note: If your yarn is in skeins, wind it into balls before class.

-Please bring a pair of small, sharp, pointed scissors (not rounded at the tip).

For Sale at the Class: 100% Wool Rug Yarn - will be available for purchase by weight. Price varies depending on the yarn selected.

Oxford Punch Needles - $39.00 with box, stitch guide, and directions or $32.00 without box, stitch guide, and directions

20” x 20” rug frame - $25.00