A Needle

Ian · 11th December 2016, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

This sounds feasible. I have no idea what such a needle might look like, but rugs are made on heavy woven base, so yes, maybe.

Alan, I was thinking of loop rugs rather than woven rugs. In the case of loop rugs, a fairly wide needle with wool through the eye is poked through the back of a piece of hessian or similar strong backing and then pulled out leaving behind a loop of the wool. This is repeated many times, often with different colors etc. to make a pattern. The many loops so created are then cut so that you have two loose ends, and the loose ends are trimmed to create a rug of thick pile. This was one of my craft assignments, along with basket weaving, when I was 10 and went to State School in Victoria. It is slow and tedious work, but the finished product was not bad, and it felt great to walk on the thick pile. There are kits with various designs that can still be purchased in Australia.

Modern examples of various sized loop rug needles are shown below.

Ian

A. G. Maisey · 11th December 2016, 08:24 PM

Just spent ten minutes trying to find out things I did not know.

I reckon you're right Ian, this thing is a punch needle, punch needle work began in the 15th century and has roots in Russia as a form of embroidery, its use as a technique for making rugs seems to have started with seamen.

Punch needle.

How old, where from?

Too nice for a sailor. Too big for embroidery.

Ian · 11th December 2016, 08:54 PM

Here's a picture of various sized needles used to make loop rugs.

A. G. Maisey · 11th December 2016, 10:45 PM

--- but mine's got a silver and agate handle.

Thanks.

Yes, I had a look at what it is possible to buy now to do this stuff, there is one --- Oxford? --- that feeds the yarn through the handle, which looks as if it would make life a lot easier.

Battara · 12th December 2016, 01:30 AM

Alan, it is not unusual to have "professional" or court workers having their tools specially made like this with special and expensive materials. Ottomans did this a lot, like plume cutting knives for special scribes made of jade or coral.

A. G. Maisey · 12th December 2016, 02:24 AM

Yes, I'm aware of that, previously I was thinking of gentle-born ladies working tapestries, but now I'm thinking of gentle-born ladies going to rug-hooking circles --- or since its a punch needle maybe that should gentle-born ladies going to rug punching sessions --- getting in practice for a bit domestic violence when they get home.

Roland_M · 12th December 2016, 02:34 PM

Hello Alan,

this could be an old stitching awl.
Maybe a tool for a shoemaker.

Roland

11th December 2016, 08:54 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Here's a picture of various sized needles used to make loop rugs. Attached Images

11th December 2016, 08:24 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	Just spent ten minutes trying to find out things I did not know. I reckon you're right Ian, this thing is a punch needle, punch needle work began in the 15th century and has roots in Russia as a form of embroidery, its use as a technique for making rugs seems to have started with seamen. Punch needle. How old, where from? Too nice for a sailor. Too big for embroidery.

11th December 2016, 10:45 PM	#4
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	--- but mine's got a silver and agate handle. Thanks. Yes, I had a look at what it is possible to buy now to do this stuff, there is one --- Oxford? --- that feeds the yarn through the handle, which looks as if it would make life a lot easier.

12th December 2016, 01:30 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Alan, it is not unusual to have "professional" or court workers having their tools specially made like this with special and expensive materials. Ottomans did this a lot, like plume cutting knives for special scribes made of jade or coral.

12th December 2016, 02:24 AM	#6
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,019	Yes, I'm aware of that, previously I was thinking of gentle-born ladies working tapestries, but now I'm thinking of gentle-born ladies going to rug-hooking circles --- or since its a punch needle maybe that should gentle-born ladies going to rug punching sessions --- getting in practice for a bit domestic violence when they get home.

12th December 2016, 02:34 PM	#7
Roland_M Member Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Germany Posts: 525	Hello Alan, this could be an old stitching awl. Maybe a tool for a shoemaker. Roland