Friday, January 14, 2011

Tonight I wanna punch something

Well, maybe not like that.........It's more like this

I have been looking at all these great little punched pieces some of you create and
wanted to try it.  My new Oxford Punch Needle
arrived today in the mail!!

So I am practicing a little tonight.  Here is the first few stitches
At first I tried a flower at the left - bad.....   Then I tried letters and after a couple I remembered that when punching it is supposed to be backwards - so again, bad!  

Before giving up I tried a little pink heart - better but I have a loooong way to go.
Sorry the photo is upside down but you get the idea.  It is not as easy as I thought it was going to be.
I did try one #8 wool strip before I packed it in for the night.  I heard that you should
start with yarn first before working up to a wool strip but I found
the wool easier than the yarn. 

I think I need a heavier weight yarn.  I'll try that tomorrow and see if it helps.

In the meantime, any advice from you "punchers" would be greatly appreciated.

Oh, and I had so much fun with yesterdays "Word of the Day" post,
I am considering making it a regular weekly thing.
How does "Wednesday Word of the Week" sound??
We will see.



20 comments:

  1. woohoo, maybe you can teach me after you learn? Where did you get the Punch Needle?

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  2. Corinne - google Oxford Punch Needle. Ordered on line and it came really fast.

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  3. Kim,
    I tried it (punching) awhile ago though. It is harder than it looks but don't give up. It will get easier. I think I missed one of your posts....... goodness I can't keep up on here lately! LOL Will go back and look!
    Cathy G

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  4. It looks good to me. I can't wait to try this. Tomorrow I'm going to a craft store and see what they have.

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  5. Your mail was like mine today...exciting! Have a good time...new gadgets are so creatively fun, aren't they? But then "creative" is your middle name!!

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  6. Well, since I did the one huge rug with the Oxford Needle Punch, I think maybe that is why I am having such a hard time hooking. But I really like the Needle Punch and for me it was like coloring. I found that if I didn't have thick enough wool yarn if I cut it into thirds to make it thick it worked better. Using really thick yarn was my favorite. It looked fuller in the rug. I had never done it before so I am sure that I made tons of mistakes but as I worked my way through it things were easier and faster. I just used the thickness that filled the end of the needle punch. It also helped me get a more fine outline which I did for some of the tiny bits I punched. I do need to steam and bind my rug then I could take a picture and show you. :)

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  7. Whew....scared me for a minute there Kim! Visions of you punching someone or something were running rampant in my mind!! Good luck with your new craft, looks like you are making progress!
    Karen

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  8. Kim the title got me too. lol. I thought,"That poor girl, what's going on now. Who's messing with my good friend Kim". lol but everything is just peachy because you're happy with your new found toy. So punch away till you get it perfect. I've never tried punch hooking but I have so much to do it never entered my mind. I haven't looked but there must be some tutorials on Youtube for punch hooking. Good luck Kim. I'm looking forward to see what you come up with next.

    I love your Word of the Day so please bring it on . JB

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  9. You had me going there for a moment, too! I thought you had gone straight from 'Whatever' right over the edge!!! LOL!
    Good luck with the punching. Can't give any advice because that's one thing I haven't done yet. Other than skydiving...

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  10. Kim...I loved your story about the ring! It will be such a treasure! I have worn mine for 4 days now and am getting used to it. Thanks for sharing it...and thankyou for your comments on my post today!!

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  11. In November, friend, Maria and I bought punch needles ~ I tried it once ~ it was not easy ~ haven't tried it since!! I want to though! I think what you did looks pretty good for your first efforts!! Hang in there and maybe you'll inspire me!!!!

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  12. Hi Kim,
    You'll get the hang of it in no time! That's how my rug making journey began in the 70's...but the tools where not nearly as nice as the Oxford.
    Have fun!!!
    ~L

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  13. Hi Kim, I bought one a couple years ago, You inspire me to find it and try it out, Cheri

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  14. I think Wednesday Word of the Week sounds fun! The punch needle is very interesting. I been thinking I want to knit.

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  15. Kim ~
    Whatever! I thought maybe something was going on with mom and auntie. I'm glad it's just a new toy :) I bought one of the Oxford needles 4-5 years ago and have never gotten it out of the box. Maybe you will inspire me...like I need one more thing to do that I don't have time for.
    Stay warm.
    Hugs :)
    Lauren

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  16. Rug hooking magazine has a big section on punched rugs. I helped punch a rug when I was a kid. A friend of mine her mother did them so we would take turns punching it while watching dark shadows. ya
    cathy

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  17. Hi Kim,

    Try Super Bulky Briggs and Little - it is a 4 ply wool yarn - OR you could ply together several yarns and make the bulk yourself. You could also try some different yarns together to give you a textured effect. A couple of tips - keep your backing SUPER tight, it is easier to punch that way, also keep your punch hook tool low when you drag it across the foundation for a consistent loop height on the opposite side and always push the punch down until it touches the wooden part - this also ensures your loop height. And lastly HAVE FUN with it.

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  18. I have been giving punching a thought or two lately as I see lots of hookers who are also punchers. Maybe?? I think I might give it a try too.

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  19. Hi Kim, I'm just catching up after not reading blogs for a few days. I love WHATEVER! It says so much especially with a shrug of the shoulders! As for punching I haven't a clue. It is beyond me - have fun trying.

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