How to punch: the basic stitch
Push down, lift to the surface, slide a needle-width, repeat.
Step by step
- Hoop the fabric drum-tight with the weave straight.
- Thread the needle with the threader.
- Hold the needle upright with the open side facing the way you'll punch.
- Push all the way down; for the first stitch pull the thread end through to the loop side.
- Lift only until the tip reaches the fabric surface. Don't lift higher.
- Slide about a needle's width along and punch again.
Watch
Types of Punch Needle Stitches Tutorial | Get Started in Punch Needle | Hobbycraft (4:33)
By Hobbycraft · Open on YouTube
Chosen from its title and channel: a 4-minute video from Hobbycraft on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.
All guides ›Punch needle
Sources
All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.