How to Start Right with Punch Needle

If you’re new to punch needle, it can feel a little overwhelming knowing where to begin. It’s a craft that looks beautifully simple from the outside — but without the right tools and foundations, many beginners find it trickier than they first expect. There are different needles, fabrics, yarns, and project types — and choosing the right combination can make all the difference to how enjoyable your first experience feels.

This guide will help you start in the easiest, beginner-friendly way, so you can focus on enjoying the punch needle process rather than feeling frustrated.

The easiest way to begin — start with a kit!

When you’re first learning punch needle, before building your own supply collection, I would always recommend starting with a kit which uses monk’s cloth and wool and therefore a larger punch needle.

For beginners, this combination is far more forgiving and enjoyable than trying to work on miniature designs right at the beginning. The larger punch needles are more comfortable to hold and give you greater control as you work, and it’s easier to see how your stitches and loops are forming — making it much simpler to learn the core technique of punch needle.

A kit takes away the guesswork and guides you gently through the process step by step — which makes the learning experience far more enjoyable and far less overwhelming.

Inside a beginner kit, you’ll be shown:

✿ How to thread your punch needle
✿ How to hold the needle correctly
✿ How to create punch needle stitches
✿ How to change direction
✿ How to fix common beginner mistakes
✿ How to neaten your work at the end
✿ How to protect the finished piece

Plus having clear visual guidance that takes you step-by-step really helps you understand what you’re looking at as you stitch, rather than trying to figure it all out alone.

If you’d like to start this way, here are the kits I’d recommend depending on how confident you’re feeling:

✿ If you’re just dipping your toe in and want to try punch needle without investing too much, the Lavor Punch Needle Kit For Beginners is a lovely, gentle place to start.

✿ If you’re excited to dive in and would enjoy more of a creative project, the Just Bloom Punch Needle Kit offers a more detailed design while still being beginner-friendly.

✿ And if you love the idea of adding an extra layer of texture, the Sunshine Punch Needle Kit gives you a richer, more involved stitching experience while still being beginner-friendly.

Beginning with the right materials allows you to focus on building confidence with the punch needle technique.

If you’d prefer to choose your own supplies

If you’re already a confident crafter — or you simply enjoy choosing your own tools — you may prefer to start by building your own punch needle setup rather than using a kit.

If you take this route, I’d still recommend beginning with monk’s cloth and wool using a larger punch needle, as this combination is the most forgiving while you learn.

My Lavor Punch Needle Set is designed to make this easier — it includes multiple needle sizes along with a reference card showing which yarns and threads work best with each needle, so you don’t have to guess as you begin.

Pairing the largest needle in this set with Monk’s Cloth gives you a comfortable, beginner-friendly surface to practice on.

One thing that’s often overlooked when starting punch needle is comfort.

Many beginners find it much easier to learn when their fabric is supported on a stand, allowing them to punch down into the cloth rather than holding the hoop in the air.

My Millwood 3-in-1 Punch Needle Hoop Stand is designed to do exactly this — keeping your work stable and your hands relaxed while you stitch. It’s not essential, but it can make the process feel far more comfortable, especially during longer sessions.

Ready-made Punch Needle Threaders can also make threading your needle much simpler, especially in the early days.

A gentle final note

There’s no single “right” way to begin punch needle — but starting with the right kit or tools can make your first experience so much more enjoyable.

Wherever you begin, take your time, stay open, and enjoy the quiet, comforting rhythm of punch needle — it truly is a wonderful craft.

Explore Beginner Kits