Introduction to Punch Needle Rug Hooking

Instructor: Ramona Ndlovu, Certified Oxford Punch Needle Rughooking Instructor

Level: Beginner

Cost: $100 for the class and $10 for materials (paid to the instructor). Checks can be made out to Sage Heart Studio LLC.

Date:   February 22, 2010                                       Time: 9:30 am – 5:00 pm

Location: Sage Heart Studio

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:

- 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 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 10” x 10” gripper strip ($69) or 20” x 20” carpet tack ($25) rug frame during class (To be returned at the end of class if you choose not to purchase it.)