There are two different types of punch needle: punch needle embroidery and punch needle with yarn. This can cause trouble if you are looking for patterns or instructions and you end up with the wrong type for what you want to make!
Normally, punch needle embroidery is used for smaller projects and punch needle with yarn is for making larger projects, but that can vary!
In this post, I will show you the different tools and the different fabrics used in punch needle embroidery and yarn punch needle.
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What is Punch Needle?
Punch needle is the process of using a special needle to punch little loops of yarn or string through a foundation fabric. The loops form a design or picture.
Punch Needle Embroidery:
Punch needle embroidery uses embroidery floss or perle cotton floss #8 to make the loops in the design.
Punch Needle Embroidery Floss:
It is easy to find DMC embroidery floss and perle cotton in big box craft stores. You can also find other brands online and in specialty craft and quilt shops.
A skein of embroidery floss has 6 strands of individual threads that are twisted together to form one thread. These threads can be used all together or separated and used in smaller groups.
There is a slight difference in the look of punching with perle cotton verses embroidery floss. Most people have a preference. I usually punch with 3 strands of embroidery floss but I do sometimes punch with perle cotton.
Punch Needle Embroidery Tools:
For punch needle embroidery, I recommend the Ultra Punch needle and the Smart Punch needle. Both are great tools! Choose which one is best for you based on how they feel in your hands.
Both of these tools have multiple punching depths. The higher the number of punching depth you choose, the further the needle will stick out of the tube. The further the needle sticks out, the longer the punched loops will be.
This can be great to add some definition to something like a Santa beard, sheep wool, etc.
Both of these tools also have different sized needle tips that can be easily removed and interchanged. For more information about changing the needle tips, check out these tutorials: Ultra Punch Needle & Smart Punch Needle.
Punch Needle Embroidery Foundation Fabric:
Punch needle embroidery uses weavers cloth for a foundation fabric. It is a polyester / cotton woven fabric. It has a pretty tight weave that allows the punched loops to stay in the fabric – no glue needed!
You can punch on some other fabrics also but it is best to use weavers cloth when you are a beginner puncher. This way, if you encounter problems, you can eliminate a fabric problem from the list of potential reasons for the troubles.
Yarn Punch Needle:
Yarn punch needle uses yarn to make the loops in the foundation fabric.
Yarn Punch Needle Tool:
I have an Oxford punch needle tool. It does not have an adjustable punching depth. You can get different tools for different punching depths and for different size yarns. You can also use the tool to punch with fabric strips.
If a yarn will flow freely through the tool, it is most likely ok for punching.
Yarn Punch Foundation Fabric:
For punch needle with yarn, you want to use monks cloth. But be careful, there are two different types of monks cloth. Be sure to get the correct one! I have a post explaining the differences between the two you can read here.
You want the same monks cloth that is used for rug hooking and not the kind sold in the big box fabric stores. In the picture below, you want the bottom fabric!
Finished Projects:
Here’s an example of a punch needle embroidery project
and here is a yarn punch needle project. This yarn punch project is a chair pad and has been used and loved by the cat – notice the snags.
I hope you found that helpful! If you are interested in getting started with punch needle, be sure to check out this punch needle supplies list!
Be sure to Pin this Punch Needle Post:
