New to punch needle crafting or not sure where to begin? You’re in the right place!
In today’s punch needle crafting for beginners, I’ll walk you through the must-have tools and go-to resources to help you get started. Whether you want to make home decor like wall art, coasters, or pillows—even items like pouches and purses—this craft is very beginner-friendly, easy to learn, and offers endless creative possibilities.
This post kicks off a short series just for beginners, including simple project ideas (coming soon!). But first, let’s get into the basics:
● What is punch needle crafting?
● What tools and materials do I need?
● Where can I buy supplies?
● Where can I find lessons or tutorials—especially free or low-cost ones?
~The following contains affiliate links for your shopping convenience. Should you choose to purchase through them, this blog makes a small commission at no extra cost to you. See my disclosure policy here.~
👉 Quick Note (Before You Start Punching Away!):
Broadly speaking, there are two basic kinds of punch needle crafting.
Embroidery-style: Uses embroidery floss, fine cotton and similar threads—tiny loops, super detailed.
Yarn-style: Uses yarn (like worsted or bulky). That’s the kind we’re talking about here—bigger loops, faster progress, very satisfying.
This guide is all about yarn-style fun 🙂
Punch Needle Crafting for Beginners: Tools & Supplies
What Is Punch Needle Crafting?
Today’s punch needle using yarn is an adaptation of traditional rug hooking techniques (and traditional embroidery, too). This is why you’ll sometimes see it referred to as “punch needle rug hooking” even though modern punch needles do not use a hook. Instead, they employ a special hollow needle with a pointed tip.
(If you’re a bit of a history nerd – like me – you’ll enjoy watching Lost in the Fray: Unraveling the History of Punch Needle.)
Modern punch needle techniques use the tip of the needle to push yarn – more like “punch” yarn – through a woven fabric to create loops on the other side. The “working side” that faces you is actually considered the “back” of your work where flat stitches are formed.
Underneath – technically the “front” side where only the needle can be seen – is where you’ll see soft, textured loops being formed.
So although you are technically punching from back to front, when it comes to crafting, you can choose which side you prefer for the final piece. Whether that be the “front” textured side or the “back” side with all of your flat, stitches, for a smoother finish.
You can even mix things up by punching from the back side of your fabric, then flipping it over and working from the front, opening up all kinds of creative possibilities! Using a punch needle you can make anything from an abstract design to detailed pictures like a landscape or even portraits.
Think of it like painting with yarn—you can move in any direction you like: straight lines, curves, circles, zig-zags… whatever your design calls for. Plus, the process is quick and super satisfying, especially for beginners who want to see results fast.
4 Essential Tools & Materials
To get started, you only need four basic items, a punch needle, yarn, foundation fabric, and a frame or hoop to hold your fabric taut. Let’s get into some basics on each of these supplies.
1. Punch Needles
A punch needle looks like a thick pen with a hollow metal needle running through it. Yarn is threaded into the needle, coming out the pointed tip along the bottom. As already mentioned, when you “punch” into the fabric, it pushes the yarn through and forms a loop on the opposite side.
There are different sizes of punch needles, and your choice in size will determine what kind of yarn and fabric you’ll use.
Oxford Punch Needle (#10 Regular)
The gold standard for beginners. The Oxford Punch Needle #10 (Regular) is ergonomic, high-quality, and doesn’t require a threader. Though it’s on the pricier side it is extremely well made and easy to use and most recommended for beginners.
👉 This punch needle was the first one I purchased and it remains my favourite tool to this day. The comfort, ease of use, and quality made a huge difference when I was just learning to punch.
Lavor Punch Needle (5.5mm, ergonomic handle)
The Lavor punch needle (5.5 mm) is another great option. It’s similar in size to the Oxford #10 (Regular). One standout feature of the Lavor: you can adjust the loop height by moving the needle further up or down the handle—something the Oxford doesn’t offer. There are various notches built into the needle and offers 7 different loop heights! The highest and lowest settings can be seen, below:
The Lavor punch needle does require a threader, which adds an extra step when changing yarns—but these needles come with one included. Still, another great option.
*Heads-up: Once you’re hooked on punch needling (yep, pun totally intended), you’ll probably want to experiment making finer, more detailed designs. When that time comes, I recommend starting with the Oxford #14 (Fine) or the Lavor 4mm. I own both of these and find they are great with lighter yarns like sock yarn or a soft worsted yarn (categories 2–3, and a gentle 4).
More Affordable Options
If you’re not quite ready to invest in the Oxford #10 or Lavor 5.5mm, there are similar sized punch needles at more affordable price points on Amazon and on Etsy, too. (If wading through the myriad of options is confusing (!), here are a couple of direct links here, here and here. I can’t speak to their usability as I don’t own these, BUT I’ve seen them around online for a long, long time now with some online tutorials using them. These may be a good option to experiment to see if you like this craft before buying an Oxford or Lavor needle.
2. Yarn
For most beginner punch needle projects using either the Oxford #10 (Regular) or Lavor 5.5mm, you’ll be using medium to bulky yarn. These thicker yarns are easier to work with and give you those satisfying, plush loops that make punch needle so addictive.
(NOTE: For crafting, most yarns work, from acrylic to wool. Later, if you are inspired to make a rug, make sure to use durable “rug yarn” specifically made for this purpose).
Best Bets
Worsted weight yarn (Category 4 – like these or these) is a good choice for both the Oxford #10 and Lavor 5.5mm punch needles, as it fills the needle’s hollow shaft perfectly and creates nice, full loops—ideal for beginners. Bulky yarn (Category 5 – like these or these) also works, but stick with lighter, fluffier versions to avoid clogging the needle.
Also Worth Trying
Aran yarn (a medium weight, also Category 4) or a thicker DK yarn (somewhere between Category 3 and 4). If you’re going the DK route, look for loosely spun options—they’ll puff up more and fill the needle better. Tighter, denser yarns might not work as well and can slip through without making solid loops.
*TIP: Yarn too thin? No problem—just double it up! I’ve done this plenty of times, especially when I fall in love with a color that’s a bit too thin for my needle but too perfect to leave behind. It works surprisingly well!
3. Foundation Fabric
Not all fabric is created equal! For this type of punch needle crafting, you’ll need a special kind of ‘open weave’ fabric (meaning, you can see visible holes or gaps in the fabric). This will allow your needle to pass through easily and securely hold the yarn loops in place.
Best Foundation Fabrics
● Monk’s Cloth (Beginner Recommended)
Soft, durable, and evenly woven, making it ideal for beginners and forgiving of mistakes. Perfect for most punch needle projects. You can find them in rolls or bolds or as small precut fabrics on Etsy. They are available everywhere these days.
IMPORTANT TIP! Monk’s Cloth comes both with grid lines (shown above) and without them. Choose the unmarked (i.e., no lines) version if you plan on leaving some of the fabric bare in your final design. Both work the same, but you should be aware of your options. You can find unlined versions on Etsy (you just have to dig a little) as well as at some local craft stores (like Michaels (Canada) and Michaels (US)).
● Primitive Linen
Textured and natural-looking, great for projects where the fabric shows through. Slightly stiffer and more expensive than Monk’s Cloth, with less (or no) bleaching. BUT, it can be more difficult to come by than Monk’s cloth. Still, you can find some in bolts and precuts online (at shops like this one, this one or this one) and at local craft stores. Just make sure it is suitable for your specific punch needle – always ask the seller before buying.
Other Options
● Rug Warp
Tighter and denser, better for experienced punch needlers.
● Burlap
Economical, but it can be messy and may fray over time, making it less ideal for long-lasting projects.
IMPORTANT TIP!
Avoid tightly woven fabric (like anything labeled “weaver’s cloth” or fabrics that are more like denim or densely woven cotton or linen, like a tea towel, for example)—it won’t work well with these types of punch needles and WILL tear up your fabric. Weaver’s cloth is designed for much smaller, finer punch needles used for embroidery work—not the bigger punch needles we’re using here!
Anything labeled “Monk’s Cloth” or “Primitive Line” should be loosely woven with a density somewhere between 12-14 holes per inch (HPI). These foundation fabrics are compatible with ANY of the punch needles mentioned in this post (including the Oxford #10 Regular, Oxford #14 Fine, Lavor 5.5 and Lavor 4).
4. Frames & Hoops
One of the most important things in punch needle crafting is keeping your fabric stretched tight—like a drumhead. Loose fabric will make punching frustrating. Luckily, there are several good options to keep your fabric secure, whether you’re a beginner or working on bigger projects.
Working Frames
● No-Slip Hoops:
Designed specifically for a strong grip, these are a big step up from regular embroidery hoops. They have an inner locking mechanism that holds fabric much more securely, making them ideal for beginners.
The Morgan No-Slip Hoops are the top choice for punch needle projects, often considered one of the best for keeping fabric taut for long punching sessions. It comes in sizes ranging from 7″ to 17″ and beyond. There are more affordable no-slip hoops available like this set. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to retighten more often (as I do with the one pictured above). Still, a good, affordable option.
● Wood Frames / Stretcher Bars
These types of frames are good for small and large projects. You will need to staple or tack the fabric directly onto the frame for a super-secure hold and be prepared to remove if you’re not keeping it in the same frame.
● Q-Snap Frames
These plastic frames snap together to hold your fabric tightly. They’re easy to use but may need re-tightening more often. That said, their an affordable option.
Finishing Frames (for display)
For those who wish to display their projects in a frame, here are a couple of options:
● Embroidery Hoops
A classic way to display your piece, simply transfer your work from your working frame or no-slip hoop directly into your embroidery hoop for display.
● Canvas Art Frames / Stretcher Bars
Want to skip the extra step? You can punch and display all in one go by stapling your foundation fabric directly onto a wooden frame. Just stretch it tight, start punching, and when you’re done—boom, it’s ready to hang!
Where to Buy Supplies
Finding the right tools and materials can be one of the biggest hurdles for beginners. It definitely took me some trial and error in the beginning (including buying the wrong fabric 🙃). Hopefully, the suggestions above have given you a solid starting point.
To make things easier for you, I’ve put together a more complete list of reliable places to find punch needle supplies and helpful resources below:
🧶 The Oxford Company
If you’re using (or planning to use) an Oxford Punch Needle, this is the official source for authentic tools and materials. I’ve purchased supplies directly from this site and it’s definitely a solid place to start for quality basics: The Oxford Company
🌐 Online Fibre Art Retailers
Plenty of fibre art shops online carry punch needle kits, fabric, and yarn. The following are a few new discoveries for me—run by established makers and teachers, they offer trusted supplies, helpful guidance, and a few unique extras:
Punch Needle World (US-based, ships internationally)
Paint With Yarn (US-based, ships internationally)
Fibird Studio (Canada-based, domestic shipping only)
Whole Punching (UK-based, ships internationally)
🛒 Etsy
Search “punch needle supplies” and you’ll find loads of small shops offering needles, Monk’s cloth, frames, and starter kits. It’s a great way to support independent makers. I’ve purchased from the two – they’re well-reviewed and reliable, with kits for beginners, too:
Studio VerSie (Netherlands-based, ships internationally)
Kussen and kiss (Canada-based, ships internationally)
I have not purchased from the sellers below, but they have excellent reviews, offering a lot of punch needle supplies, including beginner kits:
Punchy Stuff (US-based, ships internationally)
Simple Crafted Life (UK-based, ships internationally)
🧵 Local Yarn or Fibre Shops
Some independent yarn or craft shops carry punch needle supplies for online or in person purchase—or they can at least point you in the right direction.
Learning Resources (Free & Low-Cost)
There are some great free or low-cost punch needle tutorials out there, many from experienced artists and teachers. Here are a few worth checking out:
Amy Oxford
Known as the “teacher of teachers” (and the inventor of the Oxford punch needle!), Amy’s step-by-step tutorials are perfect for absolute beginners (her “Pear Project” is a great place to start). You can find her free videos on her website: amyoxford.com as well as her book here.
Note: Her focus is on rug-making, so keep that in mind, but her techniques are still gold.
Arounna Khounnoraj (@bookhou)
Toronto-based maker and multi-disciplinary fiber artist, she is known for her distinctive botanical-inspired punch needle designs. She has some free YouTube demos like this one and affordable courses on Domestika. Also, check out her book on punch needle craft.
Rose Pearlman (@rosepearlman)
Known for modern, abstracts in earthy colours. You’ll find her free videos on YouTube and affordable courses on Domestika. Her book is also excellent—I own it and it is one of my go-to references.
Bonus: YouTube Gems for Beginners
There are several punch needle videos on YouTube, but not all are accurate or beginner-friendly. These two channels are knowledgeable and helpful for beginners:
Studio VerSie – Great at explaining the basics for beginners, with lots of tips and tutorials.
Shawna Fosket – Clear, helpful videos for beginners who appreciate the slow approach to learning.
Once you’ve seen a few solid tutorials from experienced makers/teachers, you’ll quickly spot which others are worth your time (and which aren’t).
Wrapping Up
Punch needle crafting is really very approachable and wonderfully creative – once you’ve got the right tool and basic supplies! Matching your needle to the right foundation is key, and after that, you’ll be making textured art in no time.
And don’t forget to grab your FREE PRINTABLE CHECKLIST summarizing today’s post, below.
Happy punching,
📄 Grab Your Free Printable!
👉 Click here to instantly download the printable PDF
(Includes supply checklist + where to shop for essentials)
Love fiber crafts? These beginner-friendly (free or low-cost) favorites are perfect for getting started or finding new inspiration!
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