Embroidery wool: How to use the punch needle or the magic needle?

How to make punch needle?

You do not know the punch needle yet? Follow the guide, we tell you all about the latest DIY trend of the moment! You have been warned: big addiction in sight!

What is the punch needle? It is an embroidery technique embossed thanks to this tool also called " needle to puncher " or " magic needle ". We stitch on the underside of a canvas or fabric and small looplets are formed at the place, allowing to give relief to your work. By working on the place of your work, you get a classic point that is flat. Have fun then to alternate your work to create contrast and volume to your creation.

In the photo on the right, the green and left loop point, the flat point in white.

This technique requires little material. Indeed, you will only need a punch needle, a canvas, an embroidery drum and wool or embroidery thread depending on the size of the punch needle. To choose the right punch needle for your project, follow our technical sheet " How to choose a punch needle? ".

1. The magic needle / the punch needle

There are different sizes of punch needles. The bigger the needle, the more you will have this "big stitch" effect. On our website you can buy theoxfordpunch needle  Size 10, 8 and 14. This number determines the length of the loops on the back of your work: 14 being the smallest and 8 being the largest. But we also offer a selection of needles to puncher sizes and different features. Some are adjustable in height and will be more suitable for wool and big projects and others for small embroidery with traditional skeins.

2. The canvas

We advise you to use aïda embroidery canvas or burlap for your biggest project. The size of the fabrics is expressed in pts / cm: 4 points per cm means that there are 4 holes per cm. So the dots are more spaced and bigger on a 2.4 pts / cm canvas than on a 4 pts / cm canvas. In summary, for the size 10 oxford punch needle, take the canvas at 2.4 pts / cm or burlap. For other needles we invite you to consult our data sheet quoted at the beginning of the page. With the finest needles you can also embroider on linen or cotton fabrics.

Canvas Aïda Large burlap

3. The wool

What wool used for needle punch? The wool will depend on the needle you choose. For example, if you have opted for a 10-inch oxford punch needle, use woolen natura XL or other large wools up to size 10. However, if you use a punch needle with a needle of 2.5 mm, prefer a fine wool such as ricorumi wool or a mix of fine cotton balls .

4. The frame

You can use a classic embroidery drum for small items. And the rectangular wooden frame for larger models such as a cushion, bag, ...

How to use the Oxford punch needle?

1. Insert your well-laid burlap into an embroidery drum.
2. Thread the chosen wool through the hole of the needle and into the notch on the handle of the punch needle. The end of the wool must come out of the hole in the needle, the wool passes in the handle and the ball is connected to the handle.
3. Hold your needle like a pen and then "punches". Prick the needle until the handle comes in contact with the cloth and gently remove it. We advise you to secure your first point by knotting the end of your yarn / wool on the back of the book.
4. Cross the embroidery canvas with the needle, notch facing the direction you want to go.
5. Gently pull upward, staying flush with the canvas to avoid loosening the loop formed on the wrong side.
6. Move it without raising it and push it again to form the second point.
7. Repeat as necessary following your pattern and changing the wool color if necessary.
8. To change the wool, cut the remaining wool then put the wool on a needle and pass the wool end through the canvas to hide it.
   
   Once your project is finished, you can fix your work by spraying hair spray or by using a fusible fabric .

To go further, discover in a tutorial video how to use a punch needle . It's up to you to imagine your punch needle pattern to create a wall decoration, an original cushion, a pocket or other DIY accessories. Give free rein to your imagination and have fun with "puncher"! The punch needle technique is a nice alternative to traditional embroidery . That's it, start!