Punch Needle Part 2 - Foundation Cloths

Leave it to me to forget to mention the foundation cloths that are used for the different punch needles that I talked about yesterday! So, today I will show you the different cloths that are used for the Oxford Punch Needle vs. the Cameo.

Remember, flosses are used with the Cameo punch needle!

Tight weave for tiny little loops!

Soooo.....when we punch with flosses and the Cameo we need a foundation with a tight weave - we use 'weavers cloth'. When I have asked for it in quilt shops, I always specify that I will be using a punch needle and embroidery floss. Then there is no confusion. I purchase mine from a local quilt store as well as the online store, 'Punch Needle Marketplace.' Ladies in my group tell me that you can also find it at Joanne's. 

Yarn, wool strips, and ribbon can be used with the Oxford punch needles. 

Notice the weave and the grid lines.

For punching with the Oxford needles , you can use monks cloth or linen. I like using monks cloth. It works very nicely and the price is right! A while back ago in my Lavender Ladies Punch Needle Group, we were discussing foundation cloths for the Oxford. If you are familiar with Amy Oxford's book, 'Punch Needle Rug Hooking: Techniques and Design' you will see that at that time Amy Oxford recommended using only monks-cloth for her punch needles. Well, in our discussion she replied and said,

"Since I wrote my book, "Punch Needle Rug Hooking," I've heard from many customers who punch on primitive linen. We sell it at The Oxford Company and you can also get it at The Dorr Mill Store. Personally I prefer monk's cloth because the needle glides through it more easily than through linen. My "Mini" fine point needles do work very nicely on linen. I can recommend linen for my #8 fine, #9 fine, #10 fine, #13 fine (the "Mini with Heels) and the #14 fine (The mini)."

That was a really nice day having Amy comment in our group!

The week-end is here! I hope you will enjoy it!

~Yvonne

Lavender Ladies Punch Needle Group

I would really like to invite everyone to join my 'Lavender Ladies Punch Needle Group' on Facebook. It started as a group for Oxford punch needle enthusiasts and now, I think, we have a nice blend of work using both the  Oxford Punch Needle and the Cameo Punch Needles. Come join us!

Lavender Ladies Punch Needle Group on Facebook

Every week there are new-comers that have many questions about both needles. 

Above is the Oxford Punch Needle. It is one of many sizes- this one is the #14 which is used for tiny loops....my favorite. 

There are Oxford punch needles for thicker yarns as well - high loops, low loops- high and fine or to use for detail. 

Here is a link to the Oxford website page showing all the sizes!

Amy Oxford Punch Needles

Here is a close up photograph of a couple of the different loop sizes these needles can create.

Notice that the lavender and stems are higher than the tiny loops around it. The higher loops were done in a #10 fine and the shorter loops- which most of the rug is done in- was done in #14.

This is a larger photo of that rug for you to see. This is called 'Lavender Lady.' The entire rug was done in hand dyed yarn that I did. I used little French Knots for the lavender in the borders.

Now! 

What is a Cameo punch needle?

Above is the Cameo. As you can see, it comes with three tip sizes. This one you use flosses. What floss you use is entirely up to you. DMC, Valdani are probably the most popular. Valdani is variegated and my favorite BUT DMC is very, very nice as well. There is also a 'Moire' wool thread. It is not variegated but rather 'heather' like.

This is a little punch needle design I did for 'Punch Needle & Primitive Stitcher Magazine'- it's a close up so you can see what punching with Valdani floss and the Cameo looks like.

 Above is 'Fields of Wheat' that I have been doing with wool lace that I have dyed. You can see my basket of some of the lace below. The lace runs through the Cameo large needle like a dream and I love the hand dyed look. I will be creating kits for this soon.

So what do you think? I am sure there is so much to add to this- I would appreciate any comments at all if anyone has anything a beginner may want to know.