How to get started with punch needle as a hobby

If you're anything like me, you've probably seen hundreds of punch needling tik toks, reels, shorts, or videos online which then spurred you to go down the rabbit hole of trying to figure out what it is and how do you get your hands on it. Somehow in your search, you landed on this blog that is going to guide you through how to get started with punch needling as hobby. 

For me, the satisfying pop-pop-pop of the punch needle going through fabric had me hooked. I am going to begin by telling you the top tips I found helpful so you have that BEFORE you begin. 

Tips for Success

1. Start Simple: Begin with a straightforward design to get the hang of punch needling before tackling more complex patterns. Think a heart, star, happy face. This also means keeping your colours simple. Stick with 2-3 colour designs. 
2. Experiment with Textures: Try different yarns and thread thicknesses to figure out what you are comfortable with. I began with embroidery floss since I already had a ton leftover from another project. Then I went up to a thinner yarn. I personally don't use thick yarn because I tend to keep my designs small and detailed but everyone is different! Test out a bunch of yarn sizes when you start punch needling. Later on, you'll be able to use different sizes to create depth to your designs.
3. Practice Patience: Punch needling can be a bit tricky at first. Be patient with yourself, and don't be afraid to make mistakes—they can lead to unique and beautiful results.
4. Keep it loose: The number one mistake I was making when I first started and NOBODY told me until very later on, was that you need to keep your thread or yarn nice and loose when threading it through your punch needle. I'm talking it can slide and glide easily into the punch needle and nothing is tugging on it. Make sure to give your yard lots of slack. 
5. Join Online Communities: Connect with other punch needling enthusiasts on social media platforms or blogs like this one! Share your work, ask for advice, and gain inspiration from the community. Connect with others who are learning the ropes just like you. Sometimes it was difficult to get an answer from popular punch needling artists online - none of them ever answered my questions for advice. With that, I love sharing what I can and helping a fellow crafter so if you have any questions, leave them in the comments below! 

Now to get to the how-to guide - let's begin!

Main Supplies: What you will need to get started with punch needle

Punch Needle Tool:

The heart of punch needling is the punch needle itself. There are various types, but the most common ones have an adjustable loop length, allowing you to create different textures. The needle's metal part should be able to move up and down to create loop length. Choose a needle that suits your project and comfort preferences. Remember: the bigger the needle the bigger the yarn. This is the one I personally use:

Embroidery Hoop:

An embroidery hoop is essential to hold your fabric nice and tight while you work. It comes in various sizes, so pick one that matches the size of your project. A tight fabric surface ensures smoother punching.

Monk's Cloth or Other Suitable Fabric:

Monk's cloth is a popular choice for punch needling due to its durability and ability to hold the punched loops securely. It's also very easy to find in your local stores. Other options include linen and tightly woven cotton fabrics. Make sure the fabric is stretched tightly in your embroidery hoop to prevent bunching. Alternatives that I found work for my punch needle projects is cheese cloth! I was not able to find weavers cloth in my area so very kind people in the local fabric store suggested cheesecloth! See below for the difference in the grid of the fabric from monks cloth (looser knit) to cheese cloth (tighter knit).

Monks Cloth:

 

Cheese cloth:

 

Yarn or Thread:

Choose yarn or thread that complements your design and fits through the punch needle. I recommend starting with Fine or Light weight yarn for beginners. Many people will tell you medium but I found it very difficult to learn with medium due to its thickness and my non-existent experience punch needling. The light yarn worked easily with many beginning punch needles and it helped with learning how to detail. Again, back to the tips for success, experiment with different textures and fibers to find what works for you.

 

Scissors:

Not your kitchen scissors but a pair of sharp scissors is crucial for cutting your yarn and trimming excess fabric. Keep them handy for a smooth and efficient crafting process. They come in handy when you want to clean up a project's edges. Crafters everywhere will agree that dull scissors are the absolute worse. 

Design:

Whether you're creating your design or using a pre-made pattern, having a clear guide will help you stay on track. Start with a simple design for your first project and gradually work your way up to more complex patterns. You've probably seen it in the viral videos online about punch needling, but printing out a design and using a window to see-through and outline over your material is a TOP tip for beginners. Here are a few free design templates I created for anyone looking for simple starter designs for punch needling! Right click on the images to save. Let me know what patterns or designs you want to see more of!

Monstera Plant Leaf Punch Needle Design Outline

Christmas Holiday Snowman Punch Needle Design Outline

Happy Face Punch Needle Design Outline

Threaders:

Threaders are small tools that help you thread your punch needle. This is probably one of the most useful and crucial tools for those of you who want to use a smaller punch needle for detailing. Similar to embroidery, you need to be able to thread yarn or floss through the needle head easily and our giant fingers aren't helpful here. 

For all of the above, I suggest visiting your local craft stores in person (I know what a dragggg) but a one-time visit will do you good to have a touch and feel of some of the materials BEFORE you commit to buying anything. Next, I recommend Amazon or Michaels for comparing best pricing for your materials. I personally bought through Amazon and a yarn shop online called Hobbii. 

Did you grab all the supplies you needed? Great! Now let's get started with HOW to punch needle

Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Started

Step 1: Set Up Your Workspace
Find a well-lit and comfortable space to work. Set up your embroidery hoop and fabric, making sure it's stretched tightly.

Step 2: Choose Your Design
Whether you're following a pattern or creating your own design, ensure you have a clear idea of the finished product. This will guide your color and texture choices.

Step 3: Thread Your Punch Needle
Use a threader to easily thread your punch needle with your chosen yarn or thread. Adjust the needle to your desired loop length. The side of the needle with the hole threading the yarn through is the back.

*Handy tip as you prep your hoop for punching*

If you are using a material that has loose threads at the ends, use tape to hold them down while you punch. See my prepped hoop below with thick green tape on monks cloth!

Step 4: Begin Punching
Hold the punch needle like a pen and punch through the fabric, working from the back to the front.  Make sure to punch all the way down. The end of the needle should touch the fabric to create a 'full' punch. 

Step 5: Fill in the Design
Continue punching in somewhat of a organized manner - follow a line to fill in your design with loops. It helps to go back and forth in a line to cover large areas. 

Step 6: Secure Loose Ends
Once you've completed your design, flip the fabric over and secure any loose ends by tying knots or weaving them back into the punched loops. When you are done your project, the tightness of the punched loops helps to secure everything in place. As a step further, you can spread a thin layer of regular white glue that dries clear on the back of your project to hold it all together. 

Step 7: Finish and Display
Remove your fabric from the hoop, trim any excess, and admire your finished punch needling masterpiece. What you do with it from there is up to you! Some ideas: frame it, make it into a keychain or ornament, turn it into a pillow, or use it as part of a larger textile project.

Alrighty, feel like a pro yet? Of course not. The beauty of hobbies is they are a work-in-progress always! Have fun and make sure to try things out! No amount of steps or guides can replace your desire to try something new and succeed. If there are any questions you still have about punch needling, leave them in the comments or contact me directly! Happy to help my fellow crafters! 

Here are some photos of my finished punch needle coaster and ornaments for inspiration:

Monstera Punch Needle Coaster

Cute Chinese Bao Pineapple Bun Character Ornament (Made for my Christmas tree)

Happy crafting!
-Sherry @MadeHearts