There is something so wonderful about the blissful punch needle flow — enjoying that familiar rhythm and satisfying sound of the needle pushing through the monk’s cloth backing, loops forming like magic, colors blending beautifully, and the design gradually taking shape. It’s such a rewarding process.
Every time we stop to switch colors or start a new section, we create a little yarn tail on the working side of the project, and while they may seem harmless, those tails need to be handled properly.
Leaving tails loose on the working side isn’t just messy — they can actually make projects vulnerable to disaster! The tails are prone to snagging, catching, and worst of all, getting pulled out. When that happens, your carefully punched loops can start to unravel too. Not a scenario you want, especially after all the time and care you've put into carefully crafting your design.
The solution? Poke the tails down to the loopy side of your work.
Poking the yarn tail down using the point of my scissors
It’s easy to do: Use the tip of your scissors or the end of your Oxford Punch Needle, and gently poke the yarn tail down through the same hole it is coming out of, so it ends up on the loopy side. Later, you can trim all the tails to match the height of your loops, and they’ll blend right in! This small step makes a big difference in how tidy and professional your finished piece looks, and most importantly, it can help to keep your loops securely in place.
Now, punchers tend to fall into two camps: Team Poke-As-You-Go, and Team Deal-With-Them-Later. I’m usually in the first group, choosing to poke as I go. Poking all the tails through at the end can be hard due to the extra pressure all the loops create in the monk’s cloth, while poking them as they occur is often easier and keeps the work tidy and manageable.
Tail has been poked through the monk's cloth to the loopy side of the punching
Sometimes, if it’s a complex design and I’m starting and stopping a lot, or if I’m on a roll and don’t want to break that meditative punching groove, I prefer to employ a little trick that actually skips the poking step altogether! By simply pulling tails to the loopy side each time I start and stop, it removes the need for poking and helps to keep the momentum going without sacrificing neatness. Here's how it works:
To start: Punch down into the monk’s cloth backing, and then reach under your lap gripper frame with your opposite hand to pinch the yarn tail at the back of your punch needle tip. Gently pull on the yarn until the tail slides down to the loopy side. Then, simply start punching as usual.
First step of the 'pull through' method: punch the needle down, then pinch the yarn with the opposite hand on the underside of the frame, at the back of the punch needle tip
Then pull the tail through to the loopy side, let go, and start to punch
To stop: Make your last stitch and with your punch needle down in your monk’s cloth, reach under the gripper frame and pinch the yarn at the back of the punch needle tip. Withdraw your punch needle while still holding onto the yarn loop on the opposite side. You can temporarily poke your punch needle into the monk's cloth, away from your stopping point, to prevent it from rolling away. Using your scissors snip the yarn on the working side to create a very short tail. Now, pull the yarn you are holding onto until the tail disappears through the backing to the loopy side. Let go, and punch on!
To stop, pinch yarn on the loopy side at the back of the needle, move the punch needle to the side (poke into the monk's cloth to prevent it rolling away), then cut close to the backing. Pull the tail through to the loopy side and let go.
This technique might feel a little awkward at first, but with practice it becomes a smooth part of your routine, and it’s a great way to manage yarn tails without interrupting your punching rhythm.
While convenient, this method does tend to create slightly longer tails
Remember; no one likes loose ends — in rugs or in life. So, whether you prefer to poke as you go, tidy up at the end, or use the pull-through method, the goal is the same: no loose ends left behind! It’s a small detail that makes a big impact in the longevity and look of your work.
Happy Punching,
Simone
Want to see this trick in action? Check out our Oxford Moment Video at ‘ Oxford Moment - Tired of poking yarn tails?’
Do you have a punch needle rug hooking question? You can submit your questions to ASK SIMONE. Your question might be featured in our newsletter, blog, social media, or even in one of our tutorials! It’s a fun way to learn, get inspired, and help other punchers too.
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