Punch Needle Embroidery Supplies for Beginners

The Boye "I Taught Myself to Punch Needle" is a great value kit for getting started with needle punching!

Needle Punch Embroidery

Needle punch embroidery is a type of embroidery that mimics the look of a hooked or punched rug.  The main tool to use is a punch needle, a hollow needle that allows thread, floss, or fine yarn to pass through and leave a loop on the opposing side of the fabric, usually weaver's cloth (affiliate link) or a 14 or 18 count Aida.  As for a frame or hoop, it's essential for punch needle projects to use a locking or no-slip hoop (affiliate link) or frame - the fabric needs to remain drum tight as it's punched. Lastly, some people prefer to use a design or pattern that comes with the necessary fabric and floss. There are an overwhelming number of choices for supplies online, and the punch needles sold online range in price from about $3.00 to $20.00. Most come with the extra long threader needed to thread the needle.  It's hard to tell when shopping online, though, exactly which needle to buy, and putting together a beginner's kit can be a bit confusing.

Because I already crochet and have several balls of Aunt Lydia's #10 crochet cotton, I wanted to start with a needle and fabric that would accommodate the size of my crochet cotton. In order to really see the sizes of the needles and fabrics, I needed to go to a real store.  In my area there are three options for craft supplies: Michael's, Hobby Lobby, and Walmart.

Michael's Dimensions Punch Needle

The punch needle available at Michael's is the Dimensions needle, which is not adjustable, nor does it have interchangeable needles.  I did not purchase this needle, but if you'd like something simple and inexpensive, these Dimensions punch needles are also available on Amazon (affiliate link).  It is inexpensive, but it does not come with all the supplies needed to get started. A no-slip hoop, fabric, and floss, thread, or yarn, will still need to be purchased.

Hobby Lobby Artiste Punch Needle

The Artiste punch needle available at Hobby Lobby is adjustable and has interchangeable needles. At $16.00 (with tax), it is a few dollars less expensive than the Ultra punch needle, one of the best selling and most highly rated needle punches sold online. Like the Ultra, it comes with various sizes of needles, small, medium, and large, that can accommodate up to 6 strands of embroidery floss, fingering yarn, or crochet cotton.  Again, however, this needle does not come with the other supplies necessary to get started: It does not even come with instructions, so if you opt for this needle, be prepared to  find instructional videos and documents online.

Walmart's Boye Punch Needle Kit 

The Boye "I Taught Myself to Punch Needle Kit" (affiliate link) comes with not only the punch needle, but the locking hoop, patterns, and an instructional booklet with ideas for projects. I picked mine up for around $10.00, and picked up some embroidery floss and 14-count Aida fabric while I was there.  With the locking hoop that came in the kit, I was able to get stared on a project right away without the frustration of a loose project. Although this particular Boye kit comes with only one size needle (2 mm, the equivalent size to the large needle on the Artiste punch needle), I was able to easily use my crochet cotton and 6 strands of embroidery floss on the 14-count Aida. If I want to add to my needle sizes in the future, Boye also sells a needle kit that comes with three needle sizes.

Beginner's Punch Needle Shopping List

To review, in order to get started with needle punch, you will need a few special tools.

• A punch needle
• Weaver's cloth or 14 or 18-count Aida
• A no-slip hoop
• Thread, floss, or cotton, depending on your chosen needle size
• A pattern kit or a healthy imagination

My recommendation is to start with the Boye "I Taught Myself to Punch Needle Kit," which will get you an inexpensive starter's kit that can easily be added to in the future.

Want to read more product reviews? Try

Needle Felted Alpaca Kit
Which Weaving Loom is Best for Beginners?
Are Adult Coloring Books Worth the Money?



Copyright Amy Lynn Hess. Please contact the author for permission to republish.