Punch Needle is an embroidery technique that uses a tool rather than a conventional needle to make stitches. It creates a flat stitch on one side of the fabric and a gorgeous loopy texture on the other. The stitches are held in place by the tension of the fabric and the density of the stitches. In this article we explain how to start and finish punch needle stitches.
Start by threading your needle and making sure the thread or yarn you are using slides easily through the tool. Any tension at all on the yarn will stop the stitches from holding in the fabric so take care that you are using the correct size tool for the yarn you have chosen and that you have unspooled some of it from the ball. Take care not to rest on the yarn and that it isn’t catching on the edge of your work.
You do not need to knot the yarn as it is the tension of the fabric and the density of stitches that will hold them in place. Begin by inserting your punch needle tool where you want to begin your first stitch and making sure you have inserted it all the way into the fabric so that the handle of the tool touches the surface of the fabric and the needle tip is all the way through. See our video tutorial or step by step instructions for making a flat stitch.
What Order Should you Complete Stitches in a Punch Needle Design?
Begin by the outlining shapes of your design and then filling them working from the outside in. However, it is better to complete any fine details in the pattern before adding surrounding stitches.
How Do You Change Color or Finish Punch Needle?
When you have finished stitching or want to change the color of your yarn simply cut the yarn and pull the tail to the loopy side, then trim it so it is the same height as the loops. You do not need to tie any knots in the yarn, the density of your stitches will hold them firm.
To change color rethread your punch needle tool and begin stitching again.
