If you've ever wondered why I opt to use a punch needle over a tufting gun or why I insist upon using 100% wool yarn over acrylic, you're in the right place. In this section, I'll personally guide you through the importance of high quality materials and rigorous process, providing insights into the meticulous choices I make as an artist.

Why 100% Wool? Understanding the Value of Natural Fibres:

Simply put, I choose to use 100% wool because I aim to create the highest quality work possible.

Most rug makers use acrylic yarn because of its affordability and availability. Unlike natural fibres (wool), acrylic yarn is a synthetic, man-made fibre made from petrochemicals, meaning it can be produced quickly and easily in a wide variety of colors, and at a very low overhead/cost. In contrast, wool yarn is made from all natural animal fibres and is both time-consuming and expensive to produce, thereby making it less available & more expensive to purchase. Acrylic yarn can be found at most craft stores in abundance, whereas wool yarn is considerably more difficult to source and can be up to 6x as expensive as acrylic.

Many consider woolen clothing as an investment & I'd argue the same goes for my work. Some additional beneficial qualities of wool are as follows:

• Wool resists odor and bacterial growth so you can keep it safe for years. This is the same reason you would find sweaters of your grandparent’s generation intact even today.

• Wool is naturally elastic and holds its proper shape even when stretched.

• Wool is a fire resistant material, meaning it will resist fire to a degree. This property adds considerably to the appeal of wool for home decor. Unlike many synthetic fibres, wool will not catch fire fast or be melted by flames easily.

Acrylic rugs tends to pill and fray quickly, causing them to age poorly. Above is an example of an acrylic rug after a few months of use (not my work.)

How Does Punch Needling Enhance Quality?

Possibly the biggest differentiator between my rugs and others on the market is that my rugs are 100% handmade using a punch needle instead of machine-assisted tufting.

Having tried both options, I've seen firsthand the difference in control & precision between tufting guns & punch needles. Punch needling elevates the quality of my work by allowing me to achieve exceptional precision with every stitch, resulting in finer, more intricate details.

Thousands of "tufts" go into each rug

To better illustrate the differences, imagine you’re an artist working on an intricate painting & you have two paint brushes at your disposal: a wide brush and a fine brush. The wide brush makes it easy to paint a larger area quickly, but lacks the precision necessary for an intricate painting. On the other hand, the fine brush allows you to achieve intricate details and precise brush strokes, but will cause you to complete the painting at a much slower rate.

Using a tufting gun is like using the wide brush. It allows you to create rugs quickly because it tufts at a significantly faster rate than a punch needle. However, comparatively, it's much more challenging to achieve fine details and intricate patterns.

Using a punch needle is like using the fine brush. It requires much more time and patience, since each stitch in the rug needs to be individually inserted by hand. However, it allows you to meticulously craft every detail exactly how you want it.

Ultimately, when choosing between the two tools, it comes down to whether you prioritize speed or precision. Personally, I'm not driven by the goal of creating rugs with the quickest turnaround possible. I believe that great art takes time & I wholeheartedly embrace the opportunity to invest as much time and effort into my craft as I can.