Learn how to punch needle with DMC. This guide provides step by step diagrams for the basic punch needle techniques. It's designed to be a companion to our video tutorials which can be viewed here. Use the links below to jump to specific techniques or scroll through them all for inspiration.
Use these links to jump to the steps and diagrams for key techniques.
How to Thread a Punch Needle With Yarn
Punch needles will come with a threader. Often this is a loop of wire with a paper tab on one end.
Hold the paper tab of the threader and push it from the tip of the punch needle all the way through until it is poking out of the handle.
Thread the yarn through the loop of the threader at the handle end of the punch needle and pull the threader to draw the yarn all the way though the barrel of the tool.
Release the yarn from the threader, then push the empty threader through the eye of the needle from front to back. Put the yarn in the threader and draw it thorough the eye of the needle.
Hold the paper tab of the threader and push it from the tip of the punch needle all the way through until it is poking out of the handle.
Thread the yarn through the loop of the threader at the handle end of the punch needle and pull the threader to draw the yarn all the way though the barrel of the tool.
Release the yarn from the threader, then push the empty threader through the eye of the needle from front to back. Put the yarn in the threader and draw it thorough the eye of the needle.
How to Thread a Fine Punch Needle
Punch needles will come with a threader. Often this is a loop of wire with a paper tab on one end.
Hold the paper tab of the threader and push it from the tip of the punch needle all the way through until it is poking out of the handle.
Thread the yarn through the loop of the threader at the handle end of the punch needle and pull the threader to draw the yarn all the way though the barrel of the tool.
Release the yarn from the threader, then push the empty threader through the eye of the needle from front to back. Put the yarn in the threader and draw it thorough the eye of the needle.
Hold the paper tab of the threader and push it from the tip of the punch needle all the way through until it is poking out of the handle.
Thread the yarn through the loop of the threader at the handle end of the punch needle and pull the threader to draw the yarn all the way though the barrel of the tool.
Release the yarn from the threader, then push the empty threader through the eye of the needle from front to back. Put the yarn in the threader and draw it thorough the eye of the needle.
How to change the needle of a fine punch needle tool
DMC's fine punch needle tools come with a range of needle tips so you can use them with very fine thread as well as thicker threads and fine yarns. Follow the steps below to swap the needle tip for the one that is the right size for the thread or yarn you want to use. The thread or yarn should move easily through the needle tip you select.
Loosen the screw and remove the needle.
Detach the needle from the base and replace it with the required needle tip.
Put the needle tip and base back into the barrel of the tool and set your loop length.
Loosen the screw and remove the needle.
Detach the needle from the base and replace it with the required needle tip.
Put the needle tip and base back into the barrel of the tool and set your loop length.
Flat Stitch
Push the punch needle all the way through the fabric until the handle is touching the fabric leaving about a 4cm tail of yarn.
Pull up slowly just enough that the point of the needle skims the surface of the fabric. Skim the needle across the length of your stitch and punch down again.
Continue until you have outlined your shape then fill in the centre using the same technique. If you need to turn the fabric, turn it whilst the needle is in the fabric.
If you flip your work over you can see the other side is loopy. Choose whichever effect you prefer to be the front of your work.
Push the punch needle all the way through the fabric until the handle is touching the fabric leaving about a 4cm tail of yarn.
Pull up slowly just enough that the point of the needle skims the surface of the fabric. Skim the needle across the length of your stitch and punch down again.
Continue until you have outlined your shape then fill in the centre using the same technique. If you need to turn the fabric, turn it whilst the needle is in the fabric.
If you flip your work over you can see the other side is loopy. Choose whichever effect you prefer to be the front of your work.
