If you are a fan of diamond stitch kits, cross-stitch, or graphgans then you might want to get yourself a punch needle. (Don’t forget to get the best yarn for punch needle, too!) Although it is not a new craft, punch needling has become increasingly popular through social media.
At first glance, you might think that it looks a little bit like cross-stitch and maybe embroidery? Kind of like making a carpet manually instead of with a rug tufting machine. The punch needle is born out of the rug hooking craft and was first made during the 19th century.
Years and decades have passed and the craft is alive and well. And with many changes in arts and crafts, some things have changed. Back in the day, you had to spin your own yarn, but now, you can easily order one online. This then presents a new problem as there are so many choices and you may find yourself asking…
What yarn is best for punch needle projects?
Choosing the best yarn for punch needle crafts will depend mainly on two factors: your project and you. Before you start checking out yarn options, you need to figure out these factors first because not all yarns are the same.
Sure they may look it, only varying in color. But upon close inspection, you’ll find many key differences. What’s more, you’ll definitely learn how they vary once you are already working with them.
Project
What kind of punch needle craft are you looking to create? Is it a rug? Maybe a patch for your clothes? A design for a bag? By pinpointing what you are trying to do, you’ll be able to gauge which yarn is ideal for your project. Yarns vary in size, shape, weight, and texture—you wouldn’t want a droopy wall hanging or a stiff and scratchy pillowcase now, would you?
Personal Preference
Now the personal preference comes down to how you actually work with your punch needle and yarn. Sometimes, this is through trial and error. You’ll only know that a yarn chafes your fingers after working with it for 3 hours straight. Or you’ll finally understand the importance of the weight or thickness of yarn when you find yourself in a tangled, knotted mess.
The Best Yarn Options for Punch Needles
Once you have figured out your project and personal preference, it’s time to get down to the best yarn for punch needles. We’ve listed some of the most popular options for punch needling below:
1. Acrylic: Red Heart Super Saver
Acrylic yarns are some of the most versatile materials for crafters. Can you use acrylic yarn for punch needle art? Definitely! It has a medium weight that can fit perfectly inside an oxford punch needle. You can create numerous punch needle projects with Red Heart’s Super Saver as it weighs approximately 140g.
What’s more, Red Heart Super Saver has maximum wash performance. So, even if you do create something wearable or something that’ll be stepped on, you can always throw it in the laundry afterward—and never have to worry about fading colors.
2. Wool: Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool
Wool has been one of the most popular yarns for most knitters and crocheters, mainly because it is so easy to work with. And more importantly, it is able to transform into wonderful products like sweaters, scarves, hats, and more. When it comes to punch needling, Lion Brand’s Fishermen’s Wool is also an excellent choice.
Since wool is quite bulky, you can make sure that your punch needle design does not have any sparse or blank spaces. Just be very careful in placing the stitches close together so it doesn’t look too tight or crowded. The Fishermen’s Wool from Lion brand is made from 100% virgin wool with lanolin oil but without any dye.
3. T-Shirt Yarn: Hooked Zpagetti
The t-shirt yarn may not seem like an obvious choice for punch needling but it’s perfect if you want to get a little more creative. The Zpagetti by Hooked is usually used for larger projects, such as bags and throws. For punch needling, you can use this for products that require less detail.
Hooked’s Zpagetti is made from recycled textiles and has around 90% cotton. It’s soft to the touch but can be quite heavy especially as your project grows. The good thing about Zpagetti is it’s machine-washable and is quite durable. Untangling accidental knots is also quite easier with this type of yarn.
4. Chenille: Bernat Blanket
Maybe you want to know specifically what yarn to use for punch needle rug? Look no further than chenille. This yarn is so soft and comfortable, it’s used for making blankets and clothes. Bernat Blanket is a good option for chenille-style yarn. You can make dense designs with just a few punches of the needle as the chenille has a furry or velvety quality to it.
Bernat Blanket is very bulky, ideal for rugs and carpets. At the same time, it can be thrown in the washing machine. So, don’t worry about your work getting a bit of dirt on it. This yarn can also be used for decorating your clothes—adding some color and even a bit of warmth.
5. Cotton: Lily Sugar ‘n Cream
One of the best things about punch needles is you can create “pixel art” with it. It’s not just about making one thing in solid colors or stripes. With various colors, you can “draw” amazing designs. Pretty much how cross stitches work.
Lily Sugar ‘n Cream is perfect for punch needling as it is made of 100% cotton and has a medium weight. Bulky enough for your projects but not too bulky that it gets stuck in the punch needle. Do be careful with multicolored projects though as colors may run. Best to have your masterpieces dry cleaned instead.
6. Wool Blend: Patons Alpaca Blend
Some may argue that the best yarn for punch needle is acrylic while others prefer wool. Can’t quite decide? You can always go for wool blends. Patons Alpaca Wool Blend is made up of acrylic, nylon, wool, and alpaca. Using wool blends can be quite advantageous in a way that the project will have a denser look but at the same time, it won’t leave your hands or fingers raw.
Patons Alpaca Wool Blend is also more affordable yet it is still quite soft. You can play around with this yarn for pretty much a wide range of projects. It’s ideal for practicing making wearable and non-wearable items.
So, What’s the Best Yarn for Punch Needle?
For a general answer to the question, what is the best yarn for punch needle, we recommend using a thick and thin wool roving. The thickness of this type of yarn will allow it to be punched through without splitting or breaking while still providing enough give that is needed when working on large projects. Best yet, because there is more than one strand in each skein, fewer ends need to be woven in which saves time!
Again, remember that the best yarn for punch needle will depend on you in the end. One of the best ways to find out is to try the different types of yarn for yourself.
Are you looking for other yarn-related projects or maybe you have excess yarn stock? Whatever the case, you might be interested in trying out nail art. This time, you’ll be trading in your fabric and punch needle for wood and hammer—and of course nails!