How to Make Punch Needle Coasters to Bring Festive Cheer to Your Home.Punch needle coasters are in trend! Small and fun to make for all ages, coasters also fit right in with cheery home décor for the festive season. Plus, handmade coasters make quick last-minute gifts for your loved ones. So, if you are in love with the textured fabric, we’ll walk you through how to create these coasters.
Let’s dive into this fun!
What Is Punch Needle Embroidery?
A centuries-old craft technique, the Punch needle embroidery has made a modern comeback. It has many other names including rug hooking. Unlike traditional embroidery done with one pointy tip needle, the punch needle art uses a specialized tool to punch yarn and create loops of stitches on fabric, resulting in a textured design. It’s an easy and beginner-friendly craft. Not just rugs, they are perfect for creating all kinds of decorative items such as wall hangings, footwear and, of course, coasters! The beautiful craft has taken over the world with more and more people, young and old joining in. You can explore creativity with other projects and patterns.
Materials You’ll Need
Before you get started, gather the following materials:
- Punch Needle Set: A punch needle is a specialized tool for the craft that comes with a needle tip that threads the yarn and an easy-to-hold handle. With a set, you get multiple needle sizes that offer versatility for different yarn weights and accessories to thread the yarn.
- Monk’s Cloth: This tightly woven fabric is the ideal foundation for punch needle embroidery. Other options include weaver’s cloth and duck fabric but monk’s cloth is popular and the best option for all kinds of projects, regardless of skill level.
- Embroidery Hoop: Keeps the fabric taut while you work. It is important to have a good hoop or frame that can bear the repetitive punch movements on the fabric.
- Yarn or Thread: Use yarn matching the needle size. Punch needle art also follows the rule of smaller sizes with lightweight yarns and bigger sizes with heavy yarns. Choose semisolid or variegated yarns according to your designs. If you want something on the Christmas theme, choose a red, white and green colored yarn with metallic gold and silvery threads.
- Scissors and Fabric Glue: For finishing touches.
A quick read through our blog on 10 easy tips for punch needle embroidery will help you in case a problem arises.
Step-by-Step Guide to Making Punch Needle Coasters
1. Prepare Your Materials
Start by cutting a square or circular piece of Monk’s Cloth slightly larger than your desired coaster size. Stretch the fabric tightly in an embroidery hoop to ensure smooth and even punching.
2. Choose Your Design
Sketch your design directly onto the Monk’s Cloth using a washable fabric marker or pencil. For a festive look, try snowflakes, stars, Christmas trees, or geometric patterns in holiday colors. You can create a tropical charm with fruits, flowers or even personalized designs with names.
3. Thread Your Punch Needle Tool
Using your punch needle kit, thread your needle with yarn. Most kits include instructions for threading, but it’s usually as simple as feeding the yarn through the needle’s hollow shaft. We’ve got the guide on how to thread the punch needle.
4. Start Punching
Hold the punch needle tool like a pen, with the hollow side facing forward. Push the needle through the fabric, keeping it close to the surface as you pull it back out to create loops. Follow your design, filling in larger areas with solid colors and outlining details with contrasting yarn.
5. Trim and Secure the Back
Once your design is complete, trim the excess yarn on the back of the fabric. To secure the loops, apply a thin layer of fabric glue to the back of the design and let it dry completely.
6. Cut and Finish the Coaster
Cut the Monk’s Cloth to the desired coaster size, leaving a small border around your design. Fold and glue the edges to the back for a clean finish. You can also attach a piece of felt to the back for added durability and to prevent slipping.
The fun project opens up endless possibilities. With a punch needle set, Monk’s Cloth, yarn and a pattern you can jump right into crafting without worrying about missing supplies.
With the KnitPro Collection, you get two options- the Earthy Set and the Vibrant Set. The Earthy set as the name mentions has a warm-colored wood punch needle handle along with accessories packed in a black denim fabric case while the Vibrant Set as the name mentions has a multi-colored Symfonie wood punch needle handle along with accessories packed in a blue denim fabric case. If you want to try something else, our guide on a stunning punch needle accessory is a must-read. You can follow the instructions and make some lovely earrings for yourself or a loved one.
Let the festive crafting begin!