Oxford fine punch needles

Oxford fine punch needles are designed to make punch needle straightforward and enjoyable while allowing you to work with finer yarns and create more detailed designs. Unlike many adjustable punch needles, an Oxford fine punch needle has a fixed loop height, so once you've chosen your size you can concentrate on your punching without adjusting the tool.

The smooth wooden handle sits comfortably in your hand during longer projects, with a wide lip to rest your finger on whilst pressing down. The self threading design means you don't need a separate threader. Simply thread the yarn through the eye and along the open channel in the needle.

Oxford fine punch needles have a narrower needle than the regular Oxford range and are designed for use with finer yarns. Choosing a compatible yarn and foundation fabric is important for successful punching. A suitable foundation fabric such as monks cloth or linen provides the tension needed to hold your stitches in place, while the polished steel needle passes smoothly through the fabric.

If you want to create finer loops, more detailed designs or a less chunky finish than you would achieve with an Oxford regular punch needle, the fine range gives you the same straightforward Oxford design in a narrower needle.

Oxford punch needles come in two widths: fine and regular. The main difference is the thickness of yarn they are designed to be used with.

Choose an Oxford fine punch needle if you want to work with finer yarn and create more detailed punch needle work.

Choose an Oxford regular punch needle if you want to work with chunky rug yarn and create the bolder, chunkier texture traditionally associated with punch needle rugs and cushions.

Both ranges are available in different fixed loop heights, so the number of the needle helps you choose the height of the loops while fine or regular determines the width of the needle and the type of yarn it can accommodate.

Yes. Oxford fine punch needles are suitable for complete beginners as well as experienced punch needle artists, particularly if you want to work with finer yarns or create more detailed punch needle designs.

One feature many beginners appreciate is the self threading design, which removes the need for a separate threader. Each needle also has a fixed loop height, so there are no settings to adjust before you begin punching.

Successful punch needle depends just as much on choosing compatible yarn and fabric as it does on the tool itself. Stretching your fabric tightly, keeping plenty of slack in your yarn and fully inserting the needle with every stitch will all help you create even, consistent loops.

If you're completely new to punch needle, we also recommend following one of our beginner tutorials or our Introduction to Oxford Punch Needle online course alongside your first project.

Fine Oxford punch needles work best with aran or worsted weight yarn. If you're a knitter, you'll likely be able to use up lots of scraps of yarn. As the fine punch needles are more suited to smaller projects you won't need endless balls of the same colour as you might if you were making a rug with a regular needle.

The fine punch needles have a small metal guide ring at the base of the wooden handle, this helps to keep the yarn within the channel. With the finer yarns they can tend to pop out a little.

Yes. Both monks cloth and linen can be excellent foundation fabrics for Oxford punch needles.

Monks cloth is often recommended for beginners because its open, even weave makes it easy to see where to place each stitch. It’s woven with a double strand of cotton which makes it very strong, this allows you to pull back your stitches (also known as frogging) and re-punch. Great when you’re learning or want to try different yarns.

Punch needle linen has a tighter weave than monks cloth and is woven with a single strand. A little less forgiving than monks cloth it’s good to try once you’ve mastered the basics.

Whichever fabric you choose, it should be stretched tightly on a suitable frame before you begin punching. A firm, even tension helps create consistent stitches and makes punching much more enjoyable.

Need some more help? Check out A beginners' guide to punch needle fabric.

Oxford fine punch needles are individually made tools designed for punch needle work with finer yarns and more detailed designs.

Each needle combines a polished steel needle with a shaped wooden handle and a self threading channel that removes the need for a separate threader. Rather than being adjustable, every Oxford fine needle is manufactured with a fixed loop height, helping to create consistent loops without needing to change settings.

Many punch needle artists choose Oxford needles because they enjoy the comfortable handle, straightforward threading and reliable punching experience. The narrower fine needle makes it particularly suited to finer punch needle work, while retaining the familiar design and feel of the Oxford range. For those who expect to use their punch needle regularly, it is a tool that can be used for many years.

Each Oxford punch needle includes:

• One Oxford fine punch needle in your chosen size
• Storage box
• Stitch gauge
• Quick start guide.

Because Oxford punch needles are self threading, no separate threader is required.

You'll also need a suitable foundation fabric, compatible yarn and a frame or hoop to begin punching. These are available separately if you don't already have them.