Punch needle embroidery: Cute, cozy projects for cold nights

There’s something satisfying and deeply therapeutic about punch needle embroidery: It’s easy, repetitive and immediately gratifying. Plus, with a small project and simple design like the ones below, it only takes a few hours to end up with needle punch patches that are wearable, frameable or giftable.
We asked textile design expert Keda M. to teach us some needle punch basics. Follow along to create your own adorable, fuzzy needle punch patches to adorn jean jackets, tote bags and more.
Inspired? Create and share by tagging @HallmarkStores.

What you’ll need:
- Size 13 Oxford needle
- 5 ounces yarn in your desired colors
- Fabric scissors
- Embroidery hoop: You’ll want one bigger than your patch on all sides.
- Fabric marker or Sharpie
- Monk’s cloth: You can use many different materials for needle punching, but evenweave fabrics make it extra simple. Wash and dry your fabric before starting.
- Lightweight fusible interfacing: It makes the fabric easier to punch through and gives you a smooth surface to draw the pattern.
- Iron-on adhesive or fabric fuse sheets (if making patches)
If you do embroidery, cross stitch or needlepoint, you probably have most of these supplies handy. If not, they’re easy to find or order online and are usually inexpensive.
How to make needle punch patches

First, prep your fabric.
Following the instructions on your interfacing, iron it to your monk’s cloth.
Put the ironed fabric in your embroidery hoop with the design (which will be the back of your patch) on top, facing up. Make sure it’s pulled tight and even.
If you’re tracing your design, you can do it right onto the fusible interfacing. If you’re freehanding it, draw it after you’ve stretched the fabric in the embroidery hoop.
Important note: You’ll be needling through the back of the fabric—so the loops of yarn don’t get crushed—so remember your finished patch will be a reverse image.
Pro tip: If your design is too intricate, you might lose some detail. Keep it big and simple, especially when you’re starting out. We recommend art without lots of tiny details—iconic images like rainbows, flowers, coffee cups, etc.

Next, thread your needle.
Unlike sewing needles, Oxford needles are easy to thread. Starting at the bottom, thread your yarn through the metal loop, towards the slot in the handle. Pull it through the slot and through the eye of the needle.
Pro tip: Thicker yarn means you’ll need a bigger needle—and fabric with a more open weave. Keep that in mind when choosing yarn.

Then get to needle punching!
To start, hold about an inch-long tail of the yarn down with your thumb, and punch the needle through an opening in the weave of your fabric. You’ll want the slot on the needle facing the direction you’re moving.
Lift the needle back up through the fabric, slide it to the next opening and punch it through. Don’t let the tip of the punch needle come off the surface of the fabric as you move from one punch to the next.
The direction you move to fill in your design is up to you, based on the design and whether you’re right- or left-handed. You can outline and fill it in or go row by row—whatever helps you feel the flow.
To change colors, cut the yarn—leaving about a half-inch tail—and move on. There’s no need to knot or finish anything off.

Cut out your needle punch design.
Take your design out of the embroidery hoop and trim any straggly yarn.
Before you cut the cloth, follow the instructions to carefully adhere the iron-on adhesive or fabric fuse sheets to the back. Added benefit: It’ll secure your loops so they don’t pull out.
Don’t get too close to the needle punch loops when you’re cutting—you’ll need a little fabric around the edges to hold it all together.

If creating an iron-on patch, peel the backing off the iron-on adhesive and iron it on to your jacket or bag.
If you’re heat-fusing it, apply the iron on the garment or tote side—not the yarn—so you don’t crush the beautiful loops you created. You can always pin the patch on before turning it over and ironing it to help secure it in place.

HOW. CUTE. IS. THIS. TOTE.
Also, if you’re framing your lovely creation, you don’t have to add the iron-on adhesive. But you probably figured that out!
With these tips, you’re one step closer to becoming a needle punch embroidery expert and the coolest gift-giver at any party. Personalized patches made with love? Yes, please!
Need more cool ideas to craft your heart out? Check out some of our faves:
Shop Craft Supplies
See allYou may also like
See more-
Christmas 2025 Keepsake Ornament Sneak Peek: There’s snow business like this one!
A Keepsake Ornament that captures the magic of decked out department store windows during the holiday season? We love...
-
Christmas 2025 Keepsake Ornament Sneak Peek: A stunning tabletop figurine filled with magic
When it comes to inspiring wonder, nothing beats the intricacy of Keepsake Ornaments tabletop figurines. Their light,...
-
Christmas Your first 2025 Dream Book SNEAK PEEK is here!
The debut of the 2025 Dream Book is still a couple months away, but we just can't resist giving you a glimpse of all ...
-
Easter Easter basket ideas for all ages: DIY decorations, gifts and more
Excited to get hopping on those Easter baskets? We love to see it. And we love to inspire it, too! So we’ve put toget...
-
Valentine's Day So many ways to share love with little ones!
From incredibly snuggly, singing plush, to kissing cows, backpack clips and more, we've got everything you need to sh...
-
Easter Quack some smiles this Easter
There's nothing cuter than a fluffy, dancing duck in a spring pastel neck scarf. Well, wait. Actually there IS someth...
-
Kids 50+ unique Tooth Fairy ideas to bring the smiles
Few moments are more magical than your child’s very first wiggly tooth. Sometimes it comes with excitement (what will...
-
Encouragement Simple ways to include children in caregiving
For many people, illness, injury, disability and other reasons for extended care or end-of-life transitioning are jus...
-
Valentine's Day A history of Valentine’s Day: Festivals, feast days, flowers and more
On February 14, kids in classrooms exchange Valentine’s Day candies. Sweethearts celebrate their romance with flowers...
-
Graduation 90+ fantastic graduation party ideas to cap off the grad’s big day
It's graduation season. The hard work, the dedication, the final push on all those big projects, and now it's time to...
-
Christmas 2025 Keepsake Ornament Sneak Peek: A noble guy who’s sure to steal your heart
A new year means a whole new collection of Keepsake Ornaments to unveil! And since it's almost Valentine's Day, we th...
-
Halloween The history of Halloween: Why we celebrate and fun traditions to try
Scary stories, costume parties, fall chills, haunting thrills, and SO MUCH candy…there’s a lot to love about Hallowee...
-
Christmas BIG surprises at the Hallmark Christmas Experience!
The Hallmark Christmas Experience is unforgettable, but it was especially memorable for these folks! Watch as we surp...
-
Christmas 2025 Gnaughty and Gnice Keepsake Ornament Sneak Peek!
What will your favorite pair of elves be getting up to in 2025? We're betting it's got something to do with sweets. ...
-
Gifting 100+ funny gifts and ideas for the person you love to laugh with
The better you know someone, the more likely you are to joke around with them—family, friends, coworkers, anyone. For...
-
Friends 50+ friendship anniversary ideas for celebrating your platonic soulmates
How often do we really get to celebrate our friendships? Of course, the usual moments come to mind—birthdays, wedding...
-
Card Ideas Introducing new Paper Wonder Build-a-Bouquet cards!
A brand new card collection, just in time for spring! With new Paper Wonder Build-a-Bouquet cards, you can put togeth...
-
Christmas How to plan a Christmas scavenger hunt: 50+ ideas for clues, prizes, themes and more
What do scavenger hunts have to do with the holidays? More than you might think. A lot of the best things about the s...
-
Valentine's Day Valentine’s Day care packages for everyone you know
Valentine’s Day isn’t just for romance. We like to think of it as a day to celebrate everyone you love—and even those...
-
Valentine's Day Introducing the new Bridgerton gift collection
Dearest Gentle Reader, We are beyond pleased to announce the unveiling of our new Bridgerton gift collection. If you...