Needlework Monday - The needle punch rug hooking

It's been a crazy week of dying, learning and hooking...but I am very happy with the results.

Needle punch is worked from the back of the fabric...

To begin, I am using the Oxford size 14 needle, with yarn that works about 24 stitches per 4 inch. So far I really like the simplicity and functionality. It has a nicely shaped handle that is very easy to hold and does not slip in my hand while working.

There are many good videos on youtube on how to use the Oxford, so I will not get into it too deeply here.

Next I did my best to match the dyes used by Yvonne Buus, because this rug is her design. To do this I used the color wheel dye cards from The Wooly Mason Jar, and it made everything super easy!!

silk 1n.jpg

Then on to the actual work :)

I am using a 14 inch lap frame, because it is big enough to work on, and small enough for the RV. I have a space to hang it on the wall when I am not using it...we will just need to make or find some slide hooks for it.

But at any rate, here is the progress so far...

Notice how close my rows are at first? This was too close, as I found when I took it off the frame. It curled up alot!

I asked for some guidance in Lucy's Wooly Mason Jar fb group, and everyone was so generous with their help and advice! What an amazing group pf ladies...Diann McDonald had a long conversation with me, helping me understand the tension in relation to needle size, yarn size and how to space the rows. She teaches Oxford rug hooking, so was a huge help, and she suggested a couple books that will be very helpful as well.

So, now you will see I have left more space between the rows. I can feel the difference already...It still curls when off the frame, but apparently this is normal, and it will flatten out when I steam it once it is finished. With more space I can feel it has more flex though. It feels nicer and the end result is that the front is smoother.

And the front...