A punch needle, also called a rug needle, can be used to embroider designs and make rugs.
Tufted rug is a type of rug with small pieces of cut or curled yarn showing through the back. Machine-made, tufted rug has a reputation for being strong and durable. Several popular styles of rugs use the comfortable pile created by the tufting process, including Berber rugs.
These rugs get their name from their tufts, which are essentially groups of yarn fibers that are held together by some kind of medium, such as a natural fabric or synthetic backing. The tufts protrude from the base surface and may be rolled, as in a Berber rug, or cut, as in a cut-pile rug. A bottom piece is then added to the support through which the tufts are pulled, completing the mat.
Creating tufted rugs requires the use of a tufting machine. The needles are mounted on tufting machines and help push the fiber through the base material. Machine settings can be programmed to create even strands of hair in height and distribution. The machines can also be set to create a pattern made up of strands of different heights.
Tufted rugs can be made up of fibers of a single colour, batch and mix, or be an eclectic mix of shades in a random or specific pattern. Tufted carpet is usually treated with some type of stain-resistant chemicals, which helps extend the life of the carpet. As tufted carpet can be created from a wide variety of natural and synthetic fibres, you can find options suitable for both interior and exterior use.
Many people prefer tufted rugs as wall-to-wall rugs, as do many large rugs. It is particularly popular in North America, with an overwhelming majority of rug options involving tufting. The cost of a rug varies depending on the choice of fiber used in the construction, the nature of the pattern, and the finished size of the rug. Tufted rugs can be found in many stores and can be sold on the yard, as well as finished rugs.
