Punch Needle for Beginners: Materials, Techniques and First Steps

By now, you've probably seen people all over social media embroidering with a punch needle, but you haven’t quite taken the plunge yet. Well, I’m here to give you the push you need to start embroidering with this easy and fun technique! You’ll see that it’s simpler than it looks. Let’s start by answering some common questions:

📝 What Threads Do I Need for Punch Needle?

You can embroider with mouliné threads, wool, and all kinds of fibers… The key is to choose a uniform thickness so it holds well on the fabric.

📝 What Fabric Do I Need for Punch Needle?

The most commonly used fabric for Punch Needle is Monks Cloth because of its flexible weave, which allows you to move the needle anywhere without tearing the fabric. It’s also ideal for thicker threads like wool, the favorite fiber for this embroidery technique.

📝 What Needle Do I Need for Punch Needle?

I always recommend the same ones for both beginners and experts:

Regular Lavor: Perfect for using with wool. Its ergonomic handle makes it very easy to maneuver, and since you can adjust the loop height, it’s also highly versatile.

Small Lavor Punch Needle: Designed for finer threads, it also has an ergonomic handle so you can punch for hours without getting tired. Its interchangeable head allows you to use three different needle sizes in one tool, making it ideal even for embroidering on Aida Cross Stitch fabric.

📍 Get the Lavor Punch Needles here to get started! [Store]

📝 What Hoop Do I Need for Punch Needle?

I’ve tested several, and these are my favorites:

For small projects: Nurge No.3 Hoop, which keeps the fabric firm thanks to its wide wooden frame.

For medium or large projects (cushions, rugs…): Adjustable hoop, which you can move as you progress through your design.

🎬 Learn Punch Needle with My Step-by-Step Tutorial

These are all the materials I use in my video "Punch Needle ABC Rug Beginner Guide", where I show you step by step how to embroider a letter with Punch Needle. Plus, you’ll find a detailed PDF with all the letters and a beginner’s guide also available in my store.

📍 Download the pattern and guide here to get started! [Store]

🌟 Create Your Own Punch Needle Designs

With these materials, you can create cushions, coasters, rugs, keychains... The possibilities are endless! Just choose where to start, and Punch Needle will do the rest. I encourage you to give it a try!