A Needle

Ian · 11th December 2016, 07:16 AM

Alan, I think it is a type of rug needle, possibly for making loop rugs.

Ian.

A. G. Maisey · 11th December 2016, 06:32 PM

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.

But the thing that keeps causing me problems is the sheer elegance of the thing. This is no simple tool.

David · 11th December 2016, 08:01 PM

It is an elegant tool. I quite like it regardless of its purpose.

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.

11th December 2016, 08:54 PM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Here's a picture of various sized needles used to make loop rugs. Attached Images

11th December 2016, 07:16 AM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,453	Alan, I think it is a type of rug needle, possibly for making loop rugs. Ian.

11th December 2016, 06:32 PM	#2
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,044	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. But the thing that keeps causing me problems is the sheer elegance of the thing. This is no simple tool.

11th December 2016, 08:01 PM	#3
David Keris forum moderator Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Nova Scotia Posts: 7,227	It is an elegant tool. I quite like it regardless of its purpose.

11th December 2016, 08:24 PM	#5
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,044	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	#7
A. G. Maisey Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 7,044	--- 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	#8
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,308	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.