Hoops vs Frames

 HOOP vs FRAME

Common Embroidery Hoop

You can use a common embroidery hoop, but let me point out, your fabric has got to be drum tight to punch, or your loops will be uneven. When using a common embroidery hoop the fabric tends to loosen up as you work and you will you’ll find you are always pulling the fabric to make it tight. 

Morgan Hoop

Detail of groove on the Morgan Hoop

The Morgan Hoop is engineered to hold the fabric taut. It has a groove in the ring that keeps the fabric in place. They come in a variety of sizes from 5”, 7”, 9”, 10”, 12”, 14”, and 17” diameter.

They also have a lap stand that holds two usable hoops one smaller on larger (varying sizes also) to set on your lap as you work.

I also found there is a floor stand that hold varying hoop sizes. Until I started researching this post. I never knew they existed. 

Isn't it wonderful to be constantly learning.

They are a good investment but perhaps wait until you know if this hobby is the hobby for you.

Many people swear by the Morgan Hoop and never switch to a frame.

 I also want to point out that with any hobby or craft the better the tools the more enjoyable you will find your process.

Grubers rug hooking frame

If you find this is something you will do daily. I suggest a hooker frame. A hooker frame is about 14” x 14” square, and has gripper strips on the edges, with gnarly little teeth on all four sides.  These little teeth can draw blood if you are not careful, sounds like a monster I know, but I love mine. 

My Punching Area

I mounted mine to a small table at a straight back height, for the purpose of good posture. Be careful, holding a hoop can eventually give you arthritis and to help prevent this, a hookers frame is the way to go!

Detail of Pivot on Hooker frame

Let me also add, a frame with a center pivot point affords you the ability to spin your work without removing it.

If you decide you would also like to try rug hooking with wool strips, the hookers frame can be used for this also, so it is dual duty.

There are many frames on the market. You can Google Hookers Frames and make the appropriate choice for you.

There are many choices on the market for hoops and frames. These are just two, they are simply suggestions. Google, shop and enjoy the buying experience. I know at first it seems daunting and you're excited to get started or try new equipment but take the time and do the research. It is all part of the fun of Punch Needle!

Happy Shopping, 

Kate

Next post Fabrics!

Gauge your Needle

Gauge your Needle

When gauging your needle, you are setting your loop length. 

Means how long your loops will be on the finished side. 

I guess I should explain at this point that you work from the back of the piece, the finished side is on the back or the loop side.

Cameo Ultra Punch

The Cameo Ultra Punch has a little gauge on the side with a tiny nib. It allows you to set your needle length accordingly. Number one being the smallest needle length or loop length, 12 being the longest needle length or loop length.

When punching the tip of the blue plastic is the stop point for the fabric. With each punch or loop made the blue tip should hit the fabric. This will help keep your loops even in length.

This is the inside of the Cameo. Notice the spring. This is what allows you to adjust the little nib. If it is missing then your needle will not adjust or work properly.

This picture is of the needle adjusted all the way in so the needle at the top is not showing at all.

This is a good way to store your needle so as not to damage the needle tip.

Picture above: Notice the length of the needle this is shortest needle size or loop length set at 1.

Picture below: This is the needle set at 12, the longest needle length or loop size.

In general the length of the loop is approximately half the size of needle length. 

Meaning:1/2 going down, loop, half coming back. 

TIP: I believe most Cameo punchers use setting 1 or 2.

..I am not a Cameo user but I believe this is case.

CTR 3 strand Needle

I am showing the three strand CTR needle, but all of the needles one, three and six work the same way.

Setting your CTR! Again, the length of the needle is the setting for the length of the loop.

The CTR comes with a plastic sleeve that fits over the needle (gauge material in the picture).

You adjust by adding or removing, snipping the sleeve. You can add the snipped portion of the sleeve or keep it whole. My prefered length for the needle not the gauge, is 7/16 th of an inch to 1/2 of an inch. The gauge material is the fabric stop point. When you punch you should hit the fabric with every loop made. This insures the loops will be even.

You can purchase extra gauge material for your CTR's, it also comes with 5 threaders.

It comes with a rubber tube sleeve to slip over the needle to protect the needle tip and a tube to store it in when not in use. I also use the plastic tube to store the threaders and extra gauge.

CTR also sells a product called The "Haystack" to store all the needles, threaders and gauge in one convenient place.

Top needle and loops 7/16th of an inch.

Bottom needle and punch 1 1/4 inches.

In conclusion: I  rarely change my loop length but every once in awhile I will change and make the loop length a titch longer to give a outline or whiskers a little added length to help make them more distinct. Changing the loop length or gauge is very easy on both the CTR and the Cameo Ultra Punch.

Coming up in the next post Hoops and Frames.

Happy Punching,

Kate

Threaders-Threading your Needle

CAMEO ULTRA PUNCH NEEDLE & THREADER

Cameo Ultra Punch Needle including handle: (6" long)

Cameo Ultra punch threader: (9 1/4" long) 

Feed the threader up through the needle tube and handle until the threader comes out the top, The threader tape will stop the needle from slipping all the way through.  Next feed the  thread through the threader eye and gently pull up so the thread locks into the threader eye. Pull the thread through the needle handle until the thread comes out the tip. Release the thread from the threader by gently pulling down.

  

Next, thread the threader from back to front of the needle eye. Note: the front of the needle is the section that is beveled. The picture shows the beveled front of the needle.

 IMPORTANT:

If you thread the needle from front to back your loops will not form.

This is a common mistake with beginners! 

  

When you have inserted the threader, insert the thread through the threader.   Pull up gently to lock your thread into the top of the threader and pull the threader through the needle eye. 

This is the way your threaded needle should look.

NOTICE: The thread comes down the neck of the needle and thru the eye.

Remove the threader. And you're ready to punch!

CTR THREE STRAND NEEDLE & THREADER

This is the CTR Needle with a CTR 

(Threader: 5 1/4" long) 

(Needle Length including handle: 3 1/4")

  

Beveled front of needle and close up of threader.

Close up of side view of needle, notice again the pointed beveled edge.

Insert threader up the neck of the needle starting from the needle end, loop end of threader first.

This is a picture showing the threader inserted up the neck of the needle, notice the loop of the threader is now out the top with plenty of the threader to grasp out the bottom.

NOTICE: The silver bar on the needle itself this is there to show you the front, beveled side of your needle.

Insert the thread through the loop of the threader, gently pull up to lock the thread into place. Be gentle so as not to pull the threader out of the needle at the bottom.

Pull the threader through the neck of the needle and out the tip.

Pull the thread long enough out of the tip, about three to four inches,  leave the thread in the threader and immediately without re-threading the threader......

  

place the end of the threader thru the front beveled side or front of the needle eye....

to the back of the needle eye as shown.

NOTE: unlike the Cameo you only have to thread the threader once, a bonus when punching.

Your needle is now threaded and you're ready to punch!

Once you get the hang of threading the needle it will become second nature. 

If you are having trouble and the loops are not forming your problem is more often than not the threading of the needle. There are also many videos available to help you on youtube. 

Next in Punch Needle Tips:

Adjusting and gauging the needle length

Happy Punching,

Kate