Welcome to the Punch Needle Embroidery Beginner's Guide!

By: Kelly Kanyok

This guide is your friendly starting point for punch needle embroidery. Whether you're completely new or simply brushing up on the basics, you'll find everything you need to begin your first project with confidence—without feeling overwhelmed.

This beginner-friendly guide covers punch needle tools, materials, setup, punching techniques, and finishing tips—all in one place.

Inside The Punch Needle for Beginners' Guide:

•Free PDF downloads including a step-by-step Beginner's Guide, a Tools & Materials list, supplier recommendations, and a Free Punch Needle PDF Pattern—Delicate Flora.

•Extra guidance on tools, frames, and weaver's cloth - beyond what's included in the PDFs.

•Helpful tips and trusted supplier recommendations to support you as you learn and practice.

Everything here is thoughtfully designed to help you learn at your own pace, build confidence with each loop, and enjoy creating your first beautiful punch needle project.

FREE Downloads Links:

• PUNCH NEEDLE EMBROIDERY: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE PDF 

• TOOLS, MATERIALS & SUPPLIERS LIST (PDF)

•FREE BEGINNER PDF PUNCH NEEDLE PATTERN - Delicate Flora

This free pattern is part of the Orphaned Wool: Punch Needle -Learning Library, where you'll find more free guides, articles, and tutorials.

Extra Topics Discussed on this Page | Beyond the PDF Guide

•About| Delicate Flora | Free Punch Needle PDF Pattern & Features

•The Tools and Materials List

•About|  The Punch Needle Tool

•Gripper Frames Compared to Embroidery Hoops

•About | Weaver's Cloth Fabric

These resources include everything you need to begin your first project confidently—from tools to step-by-step guidance.

What You'll Find in the Punch Needle Beginner's Guide PDF

Guide Index:

•What is Punch Needle Embroidery?

•How to Start

•About: the Punch Needle Tool

•Punch Needle -Front & Back Sides

•Needle Sizes

•Loop Lengths

•Threading the Punch Needle

•How to Hold the Punch Needle

•How to Use the Punch Needle

•Where to Start Punching

•Tips for Perfect Loops

•Copyright Information

Let's discuss the Free PDF Pattern | Delicate Flora

About: Delicate Flora -  PUNCH NEEDLE PATTERN

Why Delicate Flora is an ideal first punch needle project for beginners. 

Pattern includes the following:

• Pattern Size: 5" x 5" inches, ready to trace onto weaver's cloth
• Uses 8 DMC floss colors (10 skeins total)
• Works in a gripper frame or embroidery hoop
• Includes How-to-finish instructions 
• Full-color thread placement guide & helpful tips
• Size specifically designed for beginners to practice without feeling overwhelmed. 

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Prefer a physical Delicate Flora pattern instead of the PDF?

Enjoy special pricing on these other pattern format options:

 •Paper Pattern |  Delicate Flora | Special Price $5.00 + shipping | Pattern Link

 •Printed Weaver’s Cloth Pattern| Delicate Flora | Special Price: $10.00 + shipping | Pattern link

Choose the format that best fits how you like to create, or download the pattern for free at the top of this page to begin your first Orphaned Wool design.

 

TOOLS & MATERIALS LIST

•Punch Needle Tool: 

Choose a versatile tool with adjustable length and needle size settings—My Recommendation: The Ultra Punch Needle Set- (Available at Orphaned Wool)

•Gripper Frame or Embroidery Locking Hoop:

To keep your weaver's cloth fabric held "drum tight" for creating consistent, smooth, even loops. My Recommendation: A Gripper Frame

•Beginner's Tip:

A Gripper Frame gives you the best tension and the smoothest punching experience. If you're beginning and not ready to invest in a frame yet, a locking embroidery hoop works fine—expect to tighten the fabric a bit as you go. Don't let that discourage you; your results will still improve beautifully as you practice.

For more information on gripper frames vs. hoops, check out the Punch Needle Beginner's Guide page on my website, which explains why I recommend a gripper frame.

•Threads:

DMC Floss · Valdani (6-strand or #8–#12) · DMC Eco-Vita Wool · Rustic Moire Wool Thread, or any thread that is similar to the above-mentioned threads and that will work with a thread punch needle.

•Embroidery Scissors:

Small, sharp scissors for clean trimming

•Quick Split Clip:

Perfect for separating 6-strand floss. I will not work without this little clip when using DMC Floss. (Available at Orphaned Wool)

•Foundation Fabric:

Best Choice: Springs Creative Weaver's Cloth (55% poly / 45% cotton). (Available at Orphaned Wool)

•Micron 05 Pen:

 For tracing the pattern onto the Weaver's Cloth, this non-bleeding pen is the best.

•Lightbox:

Perfect for making pattern tracing easy and enjoyable.

•Good Lighting:

Essential for clear visibility and color accuracy.

Above Featured Punch Needle Pattern | Hare I AM | DMC Eco-Vita Wool Thread.

WHAT IS PUNCH NEEDLE EMBROIDERY?

Punch Needle Embroidery is a relaxing and creative fiber art that uses a tool to create loops of thread, forming textured designs. A punch needle tool has a hollow-core needle that carries the thread through the foundation fabric to make these loops.

The foundation fabric—most commonly used is Weaver's Cloth—it has a tight weave with just enough elasticity to hold the thread loops in place as you work securely.

The pattern printed or drawn is considered the back side of the design, known as the pattern side. You punch from this side through the fabric to the front, where the design gradually comes to life in a field of beautiful, dimensional loops.

Now that you understand how loops are created and held securely in place, you may be surprised by how simple punch needle embroidery truly is. The key is to start with quality tools and materials, choose the right foundation fabric, and give yourself time to learn and experiment. With each loop, your skill and confidence will grow, and soon the steady rhythm of punching will begin to feel natural and intuitive.

The techniques and suggestions shared in this guide are based on my personal experience and are intended to help you create with the punch needle. 

ABOUT: THE PUNCH NEEDLE TOOL

The punch needle tool usually comes with several needle sizes for different thread thicknesses and threaders. It also provides various length settings, giving you flexibility to create loops of different lengths, which adds both creativity and texture to your design.

The tool I use and recommend for its quality, durability, and versatility is "My Personal Favorite" — The Ultra Punch Needle Embroidery Set.

Please note *This page focuses on the thread punch needle, not yarn rug punching or the Oxford Punch Needle. For more details about the differences, see my Thread vs. Yarn Q&A link.

GRIPPER FRAMES VS. EMBROIDERY HOOPS 

One of the biggest challenges beginners face is keeping the Weaver's Cloth "drum tight." It may seem like a small detail, but it's one of the keys to creating smooth, even loops. Loose fabric often leads to frustration—and uneven results.

In my classes, I always bring extra gripper frames so students can try them out. Once they do, they're amazed at how much easier and more enjoyable punching becomes compared to using an embroidery hoop!

If you're starting, try investing in a simple gripper frame—it doesn't have to be fancy or expensive. Later, you can explore upgraded versions that rotate or flip to reveal the finished side.

If you're not quite ready to commit, a locking embroidery hoop works fine for practice. But once you experience the difference, you'll quickly see why a gripper frame is worth the investment (and if you ever change your mind, they're easy to resell online).

ABOUT: WEAVER'S CLOTH 

For thread punch needle embroidery, Weaver's Cloth is the best foundation fabric for both beginners and experienced artists.

It provides the ideal balance of strength and flexibility, allowing your needle to glide through easily and form even, secure loops.

High-quality Weaver's Cloth is made from a 55% polyester / 45% cotton blend, typically in white or cream. The polyester adds durability and flexibility, preventing the weave from breaking, while the cotton provides softness for smooth punching.

PUNCH NEEDLE: A BEGINNER'S GUIDE

HOW TO START 

1. Download and print the free PDF Orchid Grace pattern.
2. Using a Lightbox, trace the pattern onto the weaver's cloth using a Micron pen.
3. Stretch the weaver's cloth pattern onto your gripper frame (or locking embroidery hoop) so it's drum-tight.

LEARNING THE FRONT & BACK SIDES OF THE PUNCH NEEDLE: 

I am using the Ultra Punch Needle Tool as an example; most of the methods apply to other punch needle types as well.

• Front: The tiny beveled oval opening is where the threader is inserted to begin threading. This is what I call the front side.
• Back: The small hole or ("eye") is where the thread tail hangs out. It is what I refer to as the back side of the punch needle.
• Tip: Knowing which side is which is essential for threading, holding, and punching correctly.

 NEEDLE SIZES

• Small (S), Medium (M), and Large (L) sizes are marked on the blue base of the needle that attaches to the needle base. (*The Ultra Punch Needle)\

• Use the smallest needle size that allows the thread to move freely through the shaft with no drag or tension.
• Tip: The Smaller the needle, the easier on the wrist. Avoid using a needle size that is too large for the thread thickness, as this can create a larger opening in the fabric and make it easier for the loop to pull out.

 LOOP LENGTHS

Loop Lengths on the Ultra Punch Needle

Changing the loop lengths on the Ultra Punch Needle: The loop length is easy to adjust. You change the setting on the handle to create a different loop length.

The loop length setting I use in most of my designs is #1. It's my go-to setting because it creates a clean, even texture while using the least amount of thread. This shorter loop length also helps prevent overlapping and keeps your loops neat and defined. When I include different loop lengths in a design after using the #1 length for most of it, they stand out beautifully against the #1 loops, adding a fun, fabulous element and creating great dimension to the design.

The Ultra Punch Needle has 12 length setting options. #1 being the shortest length and #12 being the longest loop length. A good way to get an idea of the loop length in a design is to set the needle to a certain length, then look at the length of the needle showing; the loop length will be half that length.

Adjusting the Handle for Loop Length

The Ultra Punch Needle has 12 settings for loop length:

• #1 = shortest loop
• #12 = longest loop

Rule of thumb: The finished loop will be about half the length of the exposed needle.

Don't be afraid to experiment! Varying loop lengths can add wonderful texture and dimension to your design.

THREADING THE PUNCH NEEDLE

Once you select the needle size, attach the needle to the base, and insert it into the handle, you're ready to start threading. 

3 easy steps:

1. Push the looped threader through the needle tip opening with the oval beveled edge until it comes out the back of the handle.

2. Insert your thread through the loop, pull the threader back out, and unthread.

3. Insert the threader loop through the eye from the back, insert the thread that hangs out of the top of the needle through the threader loop, and pull so the thread tail hangs out the back of the eye, like a tail.

HOW TO HOLD THE PUNCH NEEDLE

Hold your punch needle like a pencil—comfortably in your hand, front side up and back side facing down. Rest the side of your hand lightly on the fabric for stability and control.

Holding & Punching in the Proper Direction

My teaching method for holding and using the punch needle is to think of punching like "walking a dog."

• Imagine the needle's beveled oval opening facing up as the dog's head, with the needle tip pointing in the direction you'll be walking or "punching."

• The eye of the needle is the tail of the dog, where the thread hangs out underneath. This thread tail always trails behind, just like a dog's tail.

• Always punch in a forward motion in the direction the tip is pointing, with the dog's head facing up and the tail behind.

This little analogy helps you remember to maintain the correct needle orientation and a forward punching motion: The needle should always "walk the dog forward."

TIP #1: Punching backward, not in the direction the needle tip is pointing, will pull your loops out or stop loops from forming.

TIP #2: Adjust and turn your frame or hoop as needed to keep up the forward punching motion; this will help you make even loops and maintain a smooth, steady punching rhythm.

HOW TO PUNCH

Punching Technique My "Walking the Dog" Method STEP-BY-STEP

1. Push the threaded needle into the fabric until it stops.

2. Lift the needle just enough to move the tip forward, then push it down again to form the next loop. You're almost dragging the needle across the fabric; that's how little you lift it to create the next loop. If you pull up too high, you'll pull the loop out or make it shorter.

3. The punching rhythm is: PUSH DOWN - PULL UP - MOVE FORWARD - REPEAT.

TIP #1: Try to keep the loops evenly spaced —not too close together so they bunch up tightly, and not too far apart so they don't fully cover the front of the design—just spaced enough to fill in the design nicely. This takes time, practice, and patience, and it's where the punching technique develops.

HOW TO PUNCH - continued

Remember, when you're just beginning to punch your first design, your initial row of punched loops often doesn't look very good. Wait until you fill in a larger area of the design to see how the loops are looking. Select a small section to fill in, then step back to observe how the loops fill that space. If they are too close together, you should space them farther apart; if they don't fill the area enough, bring them closer. You're adjusting and learning how to space the loops.

When you're punching into the fabric, you're not making "holes" in the fabric; you're actually separating the weave and adding loops. Adding all the loops creates the density I mentioned earlier, which helps secure them in the fabric.

TIP #2— You can always pull out your thread loops and start again. Weaver's cloth is very forgiving because of the fabric blend and the stretch of the polyester.

WHERE TO START PUNCHING FIRST?

Once you have your pattern "Drum Tight," and I truly mean drum tight, on your frame! This part of having tight cloth is essential for maintaining consistent loops and avoiding fighting with your punch needle and getting terribly frustrated. This is also why I highly recommend a gripper frame over a hoop- it holds the fabric consistently tight on the frame and gives you more control when working with the punch needle.

Where to Begin

It's best to start in the center of the pattern and work outward. You can begin with the outline in a section, then fill it in.

When handling large areas, break them into smaller sections and fill them in naturally, avoiding rows, boxes, or lines; instead, aim for more organic, natural shapes.

HELPFUL TIPS FOR CREATING PERFECT LOOPS

• Always keep your fabric "DRUM TIGHT."
• Punch down completely until the needle stops, then lift out just enough to advance to the next loop.
• Please make sure there is never any tension or drag on the thread feed; this can prevent a loop from forming or create loops of different lengths.
• Punch in an organic way, not in lines or rows.
• When you want a single line that outlines an area, punch these loops very close together to create a nice, dense line visible in the design.
• Trim the threads on the pattern side as you go, keeping the pattern visible and clear.
• Keep rotating your frame or hoop to maintain the forward punching direction.
• When you view your front side, don't worry about any thread tails or long loops. Cut them flush with the other loops, and they will blend right in.

This Orphaned Wool Beginner's Guide gives you the confidence to begin creating beautiful fiber art designs using punch needle embroidery. Remember- every loop is a step toward a piece that is uniquely yours.

Kelly Kanyok- Artist & Founder of Orphaned Wool

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For more helpful punch needle information, please visit the Learning Library.

Orphaned Wool Beginner's Guide gives you the confidence to begin creating beautiful fiber art designs using punch needle embroidery. Remember- every loop is a step toward a piece that is uniquely yours.

Kelly Kanyok- Artist & Founder of Orphaned Wool

COPYRIGHT & PERSONAL USE

© 2026 Kelly Kanyok, Orphaned Wool. All rights reserved. This free Punch Needle Beginner's Reference Guide is provided for personal use only. It may not be copied, shared, redistributed, posted online, or resold in any form. Photos, patterns, instructions, and content remain the property of Orphaned Wool.