How to Punch Needle For Beginners: A Step-by-Step Guide

Instructions

STEP 1: GET MY FREE ANIMAL PUNCH NEEDLE DESIGNS

First, download my Animal Punch Needle files from my free library – look for Design #780. Alternatively, you can use the Save This Project form near the top of this post and the design link will be emailed to you.

In the SVG folder, you’ll find three variations of my punch needle design to draw using a Cricut machine: a dog, a cat, and an owl.

There is also a DXF folder with versions you can use with other machines, and a PDF folder with versions you can print and trace by hand with the help of a Cricut BrightPad or other backlighting.

TIP: If you’re not sure how to upload, go to jennifermaker.com/svgs to learn how to unzip and upload SVG files.

STEP 2: PREPARE AND DRAW YOUR PUNCH NEEDLE DESIGN

Punch needle projects can be displayed from either side, depending on your preference for flat stitches (the front side) or loop stitches (the back side). This tutorial teaches you how to use the loop side for display.

CRICUT DESIGN SPACE

1. In Cricut Design Space, open a blank Canvas.NOTE: If you’re new to using Cricut Design Space, go to cricutkickoff.com for my introductory tutorial on Design Space basics.
2. Click “Upload” and then “Upload Image.”
3. Click “Browse.”
4. Select the SVG file of your choice. NOTE: I’ll pick the “cat” version, but you can use the same steps for all three designs.
5. Click “Open,” and then “Continue.”
6. Click “Upload” to add the design to your Canvas.
7. Click “Save” and give your project a name.
8. Ungroup the design. NOTE: There are two layers on your screen: the animal and the background circle.
9. Drag a bounding box around both the design and the circle.
10. Click the “Operation” dropdown, then select the “Pen” option so the machine knows you want to draw this design.
11. Click the Color Box next to “Operation,” then click the dropdown menu and select your pen and color.NOTE: I’ll select “M - Marker (1mm)” and pick “Blue (washable fabric)” for the color.TIP: You can use any color for this project, just make sure you use a 1mm marker so it will show up on the monk's cloth.
12. With both layers still selected, click the “Attach” icon so your machine will draw the designs together on your fabric.
13. Your project is ready to draw!

DRAWING

1. Make sure the correct machine is selected in the top right.
2. Click “Make.”
3. On the Prepare screen, make sure the correct Material Size is selected for your materials. I’ll use 12” x 12” for mine, and trim my fabric down to 10” x 10” size.
4. Drag your design so its top left corner touches the intersection where 2 across and 2 down meet.NOTE: This will center your design on a 10” x 10” piece of fabric.
5. To use the loop side of your project as the display side, you’ll need to mirror the project, so make sure the “Mirror” slider is toggled on and shows green.
6. Once you are satisfied with your mat layout, click “Continue.”
7. On the Make screen, set the Base Material for your mat. I used the “Monk’s Cloth” material setting.
8. Use a tape measure and scissors to measure and cut your monk’s cloth into a 10” x 10” square.
9. Place your cut fabric face up on a pink FabricGrip machine mat so it covers the design area on your screen plus 2” around each edge.
10. Use a brayer to make sure it’s fully adhered and doesn’t have wrinkles.
11. Use long strips of painter’s tape to secure the edges of your monk’s cloth to the machine mat to keep loose threads from unraveling and getting caught in your machine.
12. Follow the screen prompts to prepare your machine and tools.
13. Check that your 1mm Marker is in the clamp.TIP: Remove the marker’s cap (put it on the back so you don’t lose it) and test it on scrap material to make sure it flows well first.
14. Press the flashing “Load/Unload” button to load the prepared mat into your Cricut.
15. Press the flashing middle button to begin drawing.
16. When it has finished drawing, unload the mat, flip it over onto your work surface, and roll it back to release the fabric.
17. Fold the painter’s tape over the edges of the monk’s cloth to keep threads from unraveling while punching your project.
18. Lay your project drawing-side up.

STEP 3: PUNCH YOUR DESIGN INTO YOUR MONK’S CLOTH

1. Loosen the bolt at the top of your plastic punching hoop and remove the inner hoop from the outer one.
2. Slide the inner hoop under the monk's cloth so your design is in the center.
3. With the top of your outer hoop (where the bolt is) aligned with the top of your design area, carefully slide the outer hoop down onto the inner hoop, trapping the material in between them.
4. Carefully hold the fabric taut while tightening the bolt at the top to clamp the hoop closed.
5. Working your way around the hoop, pull the fabric as taut and flat as you can. TIP: Try to keep your design in the center.
6. Then tighten the bolt as much as you can to hold the fabric in place.
7. Decide which shape you want to punch first and pull the yarn end from the skein for that shape’s color. I recommend starting with small inner details first, then working on the larger shapes.NOTE: I’ll start with the cat’s whiskers and face details, then stitch the background to keep the design circular, and finish with the cat’s face.
8. To thread your adjustable needle, rotate the setting selector so the needle is on the shortest setting.
9. With the adjustable needle’s tip facing you, slide the loop end of the needle threader up through the tip of the needle until it comes out the top of the handle.
10. Insert your yarn’s end through the needle threader’s loop.
11. Pull the threader down through the tip of the needle, carrying the yarn with it.TIP: You can pull yarn directly from the skein when punching -- just make sure to give yourself plenty of slack and keep your yarn knot-free!
12. Then insert the threader through the hole in the tip of the needle from the back (the longer side) to the front (the open side).
13. Insert your yarn’s tail through the threader, then pull the threader back through the tip so the tail exits the back of the needle.
14. Pull the yarn from the top of the handle to remove excess tail length, leaving about an inch or two of yarn hanging from the tip.
15. On the drawn surface, place your needle on the shape’s outline where you want to start stitching, keeping the needle’s front side facing the direction you want your next stitch to go.TIP: Remember, we mirrored the design, so we’re actually punching from the back of the project to the front. We’ll leave loops on the front to create the finished design.
16. Keeping your fingers out of the way, push the needle all the way through until the handle touches the fabric.
17. Then pull the needle straight back out, keeping the tip close to the fabric. And that’s your first loop stitch!
18. Keeping the open side of the needle facing the direction you want to stitch, move your needle about ⅛” along the outline, then punch your next stitch through the fabric and back up.
19. Continue stitching evenly along the shape’s outline, remembering to rotate as needed to keep the open side of the needle facing the direction you want to move.TIP: To keep your stitches even, keep the tip of your needle close to the fabric and drag it forward. Occasionally, flip the hoop over to check that your stitches are going through properly.
20. When you reach your starting point on the outline, place your next stitch just inside the shape’s outline, keeping it close to the yarn you’ve already punched to prevent gaps.TIP: Avoid stitching in holes you’ve already punched, as this can pull out your yarn.
21. Follow the first outline to add your next row of stitches.
22. Continue following the outline and work your way inward until your shape is entirely filled.
23. Once you place your last stitch, pull the needle away from the punching side of the hoop.
24. Use your finger to keep the last stitch in place, then use scissors to trim the yarn close to the stitches.
25. Repeat Steps 7-24 to stitch the remaining sections of your design.NOTE: Some details may not need to be filled in, like the thin whiskers. So just stitch along the outline and don’t try to add more yarn in the middle.TIP: Be sure to watch the video to see how I filled in the sections of my project, and how to solve common issues when punching!
26. Loosen the bolt on top of your punching hoop and remove your project.
27. Lay your project with the display side face up.NOTE: I’ll display the loop side, which is the back of the fabric.
28. Repeat Steps 1-6 to place your project into its bamboo display hoop, pulling the fabric tight until the yarn loops rest against the hoop’s edges.TIP: Use the included screwdriver to tighten the top bolt once your project is in place.
29. Lay your project face up on your work surface.
30. Use a weeding tool or yarn needle to clean up your design by pushing the stitches to shape the sections.
31. If you find two different colored yarns looped inside each other, (like a white loop in a black section), use the weeding tool or yarn needle to pull the loops apart so the yarns are in the right sections.
32. If there are any extra long loops, use the tip of your weeding tool or yarn needle to push the yarn back into the fabric and even out the loop length.
33. To finish your project’s back, remove the tape from the fabric’s edges.
34. Lay your project face down on your work surface.
35. Thread a yarn needle with yarn in the color of your choice.NOTE: This won’t be visible from the front.
36. Bring the needle up through the fabric on the outside of the hoop.
37. Then push the needle down through the fabric about ½” to the left of where you brought it up.
38. Following around the outside of the hoop, continue weaving the needle up and down through the fabric until you reach your starting stitch.
39. Cut the yarn from the skein and remove the needle.
40. Pull the yarn ends tightly to bunch the fabric together on the back of your project.
41. Tie the yarn ends together to hold the fabric in place.
42. Tuck the excess fabric under, and trim off the excess thread.
43. Your project is ready for display!

STEP 4: SHOW IT OFF

You now have an impressive animal punch needle project!