Punch Needle for Beginners: How to Start Punching
Starting with punch needle? Learn how to hold the needle, punch through the fabric and finish your thread neatly.
You do punch needle with a needle, fabric and yarn, but the technique is different from embroidery and cross stitch. With fine punch needles, you can also create an effect that feels close to embroidery. In this guide, you will learn how to get started with punching.
Supplies
- Threader
- Scissors
- Punch hoop
- Punch needle
- Suitable punch needle fabric
- Yarn that is thinner than the diameter of the needle
Before you start
First thread your punch needle. Then stretch the fabric tightly. You can use a regular embroidery hoop for this; there are also special punch needle hoops with extra grip.
Punching
Hold the needle like a pen, with the open side facing the direction you are going to punch. The small hole and the thread point away from the direction you are working in.
Let the thread come freely from the skein or ball. If the loops do not stay in place, the thread may not be able to move freely.
Place the tip on the fabric and punch all the way through the fabric until the top of the handle touches the fabric. Pull the needle toward you, but do not take it completely out of the fabric.
Move the needle a small step forward while it keeps touching the fabric. Punch all the way through the fabric again and repeat this for the line or shape you want.
Finishing Off
Finish off when you change color, switch from flat stitches to loop stitches, or are done with your project. Punch through the fabric and turn the work over. Gently pull the thread closest to the needle and cut it. Then slowly pull the needle out of the fabric.
If you use the non-loop side of your project, a small thread will remain hanging at the start. Find the first loop and gently pull the thread at the back to secure the first stitch.
Common Beginner Mistakes
Most problems happen because of the wrong fabric, pulling too tightly, or using a needle that does not match the yarn. Keep your punch needle facing the same direction, do not lift the needle too high out of the fabric, and let the yarn move along loosely. If the yarn keeps slipping out, first check your fabric and thread thickness.
Then continue with threading your punch needle and adjusting your punch needle.
