Packing a punch with a new punch needle workshop, yarn and giveaway!

Packing a punch with a new punch needle workshop, yarn and giveaway!

Hello Iroiro! The newest little balls of yarn from Daruma in Japan, iroiro means variety, many ways or different kinds in Japanese. You can use these little balls in all sorts of ways, and we are pretty excited about all the crafting possibilities!


Iroiro single-ply roving wool is perfect for the art of punch needle embroidery as well as knitting or crochet. These sweet little 20 gram balls in 20 cheerful colours create beautiful punch needle projects like cushions, wall art or any other accessory you can dream up.

Little balls of Iroiro roving wool from Daruma of Japan Photo credit: Daruma

As well as the roving single ply yarn, Iroiro also comes in some super modern and fun plied acrylic neon colours. The neon Iroiro comes in 15 gram balls of chunky weight yarn and is perfect for a pop of colour in your punch needle projects or any knitting or crochet work. It also makes excellent pompoms!

Punch needle workshop with Duygu Turgut Gökpinar

If you need to get your punch needle skills into gear, join us for a workshop with Duygu Turgut Gökpınar. Duygu is one of the most influential DIY makers in Turkey and we are delighted to host her first-ever London workshop. A former school teacher, Duygu founded her own studio called Good Things to share her love of punch needle and multi-dimensional making. Her fun, bright and modern style is sure to liven up any living space.

The classes will take place in August and October and there are options to purchase a materials bundle to use during the class (this bundle is only available to those participating) or bring your own supplies. To learn more about Duygu’s style, check out her YouTube channel.

Giveaway!

Over the next two weeks we will be giving away two gift packages, each containing a copy of the book Punch Needle by Arounna Khounnoraj (aka Bookhou) and two balls of Iroiro roving of the winner’s choice for some punch needle inspiration! One winner will be selected on Instagram and the other on the blog. This context is open to everyone and we’ll ship to wherever you are in the world!

To enter on the blog, please leave a comment on this post (comments on other blog posts will not be entered) with an idea of how you might use your prize.

To enter on Instagram either post one of your own punch needle photos or repost our photo from today using the hashtag #LoopLovesPunchNeedle. You will need to be following our account, @looplondonloves. Your entry will not count if you only leave a comment on our IG post—it has to be on your own post.

This giveaway will close at midnight UK time on Wednesday the 30th of June for blog comments and IG users.

We’ll announce the winners on Friday the 2nd of July, both on the blog and on Instagram. We wish you all the very best of luck!

All about punch needle embroidery

Punch needle is a beautiful craft form of embroidery and very similar to rug hooking. The yarn is “punched” instead of stitched into a fabric with a loose weave to create all sorts of designs.

The punch needle technique creates a loop on the surface of the material. Like embroidery, you can use a hoop to hold your fabric in place while creating your design. A project can be completed in quite a short amount of time and is an excellent craft for beginners as it’s very forgiving. You can easily pull your work out and re-punch if you make a mistake.

We have all the supplies you’ll need to start your creative journey into the world of punch needle. The punch needle tool you’ll need depends on the thickness of the yarn you are using. The #10 regular Oxford punch needle is a popular choice for beginners. The Oxford punch needles are available in two widths, regular and fine. We recommend The #9 and #10 regular punch needle if you would like to use a bulkier yarn like the Iroiro roving to create your design. For something with a shallower loop height, you might want to try the fine needles, which use anything from finer sock weight to a worsted weight. “The Mini” forms beautiful short, compact loops that look similar to needlepoint. 

You can also try doubling or tripling the threads or yarn you plan to use to fit your needle. There are so many possibilities! Try experimenting with different needle and thread sizes or even strips of fabric or ribbon in the same piece for more textural interest. 

You’ll need some fabric for your project. Rico monk’s cloth comes in three neutral colours and is 12 count, meaning the loose, even weave allows the punch needle to move through the fabric smoothly and works well with most yarns. We also have the beautiful hand-dyed monk’s cloth pieces from Germany. These very high-quality fabric pieces are tea stained, giving them a beautiful distressed and vintage look. Each one is slightly different. 

To hold everything in place while you work, you’ll want a nice sturdy embroidery hoop. The Clover embroidery hoops have an inner ring that grips the fabric firmly, keeping it tight. It makes it very easy to slip the material in place and tighten the outer hoop. The hoops are great for punch needle projects as they give a bit more depth to the fabric while you’re working on it. 

Along with the more specialised supplies for your punch needle designs, you’ll also need many of the same tools as embroidery, like some sharp thread snips. You can also look at some of our punch needle books for inspiration to get you started. We hope these lovely new yarns and punch needle supplies will inspire you to give this beautiful craft a try.

Loop news

Seams Couturiers Hand Cream has arrived in the shop and our skin has never been so smooth. The non-greasy formula developed specifically to soothe seamstresses’ dry, pinpricked hands without leaving greasy marks on their work uses a biomimetic lipid complex to lock in moisture and restore skin from within. Your hands will feel soft and supple and your project will stay clean and beautiful, a win-win!

The CocoKnits Rose pattern is back in stock at Loop, along with all the supplies you’ll need to make one of these sweet coats. Our sample uses Malabrigo Rios in the colour Denim with Indigo Bird Buttons made from coconut wood. Make it your own in any DK or light worsted weight yarn—we recommend Quince & Co Lark or Big Bad Wool Weepaca—and browse our selection of buttons for a cute accent.

We have also just made some more Scout Shawl kits. This kit was made in collaboration with the designer, Florence Spurling, using almost all of the original colours of Madelinetosh Merino Light she used. This intricate shawl inspired by the pieced-together aesthetic of vintage quilts is a dream for colourwork lovers, combining Fair Isle and intarsia knitting. Our kit saves you buying five full skeins of yarn. The pattern is available separately through Florence’s website or Ravelry.

Wishing you a punchy weekend!

101 Comments on “Packing a punch with a new punch needle workshop, yarn and giveaway!

  1. I would love to use the Punch needle prize to make a beautiful cover for a stool which is much used in my guest room/pandemic craft retreat room!

    • I’ve had needle punching on my want-to-try list for a long time! The wools are so appealing to make unique and inspired designs!

    • I would like to try my hands on a punch needle – especially with such superb material in beautiful colours!

  2. I have never ‘punch-needled’ before! These all look so beautiful. I would love to make a nice mini rug ❤️

  3. We’ve just had our living room redecorated and I’m planning on making some needle punch cushion covers for the sofas. I’ve bought the Rico book so this prize would be a great way to get started

  4. Wow! How beautiful and what fun! I would love to make a lovely circular cushion. Perhaps one with a botanical look.

  5. I have wanted to try punch needle work for ages, I work in an SEN Post 16 provision developing social enterprise and enrichment activities through creative practise. I think punch needlework is something they would enjoy and offer product design opportunities for young people with limited FE options. I would use this giveaway as an opportunity to learn a new skill that I can share with my students.

  6. I have been wanting to try punch needle and the book and yarn look amazing! I would love to make a small rug.

  7. Beautiful and inspiring post, thank you. I would make a wall hanging. I’ve never tried needle punch embroidery and this looks like the perfect starting point.

  8. I have never tried punch embroidery before but I love the look of the things it can create. I would love to make some cushions for our sofa as we’re planning on redecorating and it would be great to have something I have that is useful!

  9. Good morning,
    I just moved into a new house and would be more than glad to make a beautiful punch needle floral cushion for my couch using those nice Iroiro colors :)
    Thank you.

  10. Have always wanted to try needle punch but never found a quality product. This looks perfect! I want to make seat pads for some inherited dining chairs – something really flamboyant! Thanks for the info on all things ‘punchy’.

  11. If I won the punch needle gift package, I would use it first of all to make a cushion for my lovely new rose coloured sofa.

  12. Oh wow! I’ve always wanted to have a go at this, but have not seen any kits I like to give it a try. These designs look lovely! I think I would make mine into a cushion if I won this fab prize!

  13. I love this idea. As a fibre craft person who finds more joy in spinning the yarn than knitting with it this might be a the thing that bridges the gap between the two.

  14. I would love to try punch needle again. We have a picture in our home of my very first Punch needle project. It’s a primary coloured scarecrow! I was only a child when I did it but this post has brought back all the memories. I would love to create a smaller picture or the front or a little notions bag with the Iroiro ( I love yarn from this range)

  15. This week I saw a beautiful chair with a punch needle cover – that might be ambitious for my first project but that’s where I would love to get to.

  16. A colourful seat pad for my mums wheelchair! She loves colour and her chair is plain black. Also hoping to yarn bomb the armrests! It will bring happiness and smiles to her and people she meets now that she can roam again!

  17. What a lovely competition! I’ve never tried punch needle embroidery but it looks superfun and I’d love to give it a go!

  18. Punch art is so fun! That book looks really neat! I think I’d eventually like to make that stool cover for our kitchen stools but I would start smaller with a little coin purse!

  19. Haven’t tried this before but the lovely soft depth of some of the designs is very appealing. So soft and squidgy. A lovely feel good project I think.

  20. I’ve been wanting to learn to punch needle so this is a lovely giveaway. I would make a small wall hanging with the supplies.

  21. How fun! My father-in-law, who can no longer do tapestry embroidery because of arthritis, has expressed an interest in punch needle as a viable alternative–I would love to put together some supplies so we can learn together!

    • Thank you Loop for opportunity of a chance to win delicious yarns and Needlepunch products. I would love to try the technique and the book has many inspiring ideas. Congratulations on your lovely shop, so many lovely treasures and treats. Xx

  22. Yes, yes, yes! I’ve been dying to try punch needles with yarn! Dying to make a small kitchen rug.

  23. I have come across Bookhou quite recently through your insta, and love her work and watching her how to videos. I find them so relaxing. Opening a zero waste store last year in covid has been great, but my stress levels are through the roof and watching and learning through Bookhou’s insta feed has been a great escape. So I am hoping to win to be able to learn how to do this myself. An ambitious cushion for my hot pink wing backed arm chair is my inspiration. My fav reading spot. Sam xxx

  24. I would love to needle punch a motif which I could then fix onto the back of a denim jacket. The patterns in the article are beautiful and I find the nature ones particularly inspiring!

  25. Brew a cup of tea to sip as I read the book. I would go for two neon colours to create something cheerful and sparky!

  26. I think I’d use the pattern of thebtiles in my new kitchen as inspiration for cushion covers for our wooden kitchen chairs

  27. I think I’d have a go at a small bag. One big enough to carry, my purse , a mask, some hand gel and some hankies

  28. What beautiful and inspirational projects! If I were so lucky as to win a punch needle kit, I’d want to make a simple piece for a pillow in the many leafy greens and pops of flower colours in my garden, so I could enjoy them inside during our long Canadian winters.

  29. If I won the Punch needle book, and yarn I would share with my daughter. We would both learn a new skill together, even though we have different styles in the things we make. I think I would first make little pin cushions or one larger cushion, to learn. I can see this being used in wall hangings and bags too. I could teach my grand daughter too!

  30. I’d love to create a small round seat cover for a wooden bar stool — it was the “chair” my mom sat on every night when we ate dinner around the kitchen peninsula while I was growing up. The rest of the family sat on real chairs, but she said the stool was easier for her to get up from if we needed anything. 45 years later, it is now mine, and I would love to give it a new life!

  31. I think Grape and Beets would make something that my sister would like as a present. It would be a thank you for putting me up whilst I was down for my amazing Loop workshop last weekend. Thank you Team Loop x

  32. The punch needle embroidery projects and kits are beautiful. I would use the prize as a stepping stone and introduction to a new and exciting craft that would produce gifts for family and friends.

  33. Such a wonderful technique that I’ve been hoping to try ever since I saw Arounna’s photos of her punch needle work. I’d love to make a gift for one of my oldest friend’s who has just had a baby x

  34. Hi,

    I am very impress with the work of Duygu, I think her work is amazing and I can’t wait to attend one of her workshohp at Loop.

    Alejandra

  35. Terrifically tactile, just made for touch.
    Colouring in with yarn, endless possibilities, contemplative heaven.
    Thanks for providing a little touchy feely window into my imagination each week.
    Love Loop.

  36. Would love to receive this giveaway. I would make a lumbar support cushion to use while knitting. Hope you are staying safe and well in the UK. It might be some time before I can make the trip from Oz to your lovely shop again. Thank goodness for your lovely blogs xxx

  37. I’ve been a punch needle admirer for quite some time loving the dense stitches begging to be touched. Never having purchased the materials to learn this craft because folk art subjects were not my thing but seeing the more recent designs makes me want to try.

  38. I’d love to win one of these kits and give punch needle a try! It’s been something I’d like to try for years.

  39. I learnt how to do macrame during lockdown and would love to use these yarns to make a colourful macrame piece!

  40. Trying yarn-sized punchneedle is on my to do list! I’d love to win a copy of that book! (I think that class is going to be wonderful, and how wonderful to have real classes again too! Too bad I don’t live nearby. *Sigh*)

  41. I enjoy various crafts but have never tried Punch Needle Embroidery, so this would be a whole new challenge for me. The finished items look so beautiful, and what is there more satisfying than producing a thing of beauty, however small.

  42. I would love to try this, I don’t have a talent for drawing, but with a needle punch and yarns, I can skip paints and ink, and just try my luck with yarns and fibers, using this for a design of my cats. not for my cats, as they would probably love to try out their little claws.

    thank you,
    Barb H.

  43. These pillows are just gorgeous! I have 5 granddaughters so it seems that everything I knit comes in 5’s. Maybe I could make 5 punch needle pillows! That is what I would like to do. The colors are wonderful, to!

  44. I have always admired punch needle work but have never tried it. I would love to win this and have the opportunity to try it myself.

  45. The colours of the giveaway yarn remind me very much of the seaside – so I’d like to use them to (try!) to make a coastal landscape wallhanging/picture.

  46. I’ve been meaning to get into punch needle and a cushion for my new place sounds like a perfect first project

  47. I would love to make some unique cushions for our tired living room, much used over the last year locked down

  48. If I won, I would give the prize to my daughter who has just finished her degree and deserves a treat!

  49. I had no idea punch needle work could be so beautiful! It’s something I would love to try. I think a cushion/pillow cover would be first on my list. Thanks for the opportunity.

  50. I have accumulated a bunch of punch needle tools and publications. I would love using these textures on my custom hoodies.

  51. I’ve wanted to learn this craft ever since my local library had an exhibition of punch needle art works. I would start by making a cushion, and then run with it from there.

  52. Thank you for this opportunity! Punch needle art seems to be so satisfying, it would be nice to have a book to get me started. I just completed a two dimensional design class, so I’m interested in applying what I learned to needle punching, using the elements of art, and switching up different needle sizes and yarn weights to get the textured effects I desire.

  53. I would apply what I learned in a two dimensional art class I recently finished to create sculptural wall home decor.

  54. I’d love to try a new craft! Would it reduce my time knitting or increase the hours crafting? I wonder…

  55. Oo lovely! I would make seats for my hand-made greenwood chairs, choosing nature-inspired designs to complement different woods.

  56. Ah, this post is fantastic. I’ve been interested in punch needle art for a very, very long time. It is beautiful and I do need to learn how. I would love to create a pillow. Thank you for the opportunity

  57. Punch needle is on my to-learn list! It’s seems such a lovely craft! I’d make a little cushion cover or a piece of wall art with the prize, if I’d be a lucky one. Fingers crossed!

  58. I’d love to make a cushion for my office chair — which is really just an old table chair that I’ve had to co-opt for home working. Those yarns look just stunning.

  59. I just lost my 16 year old dog, and the idea of doing this, although I’ve never tried it, brings much comfort. I love the colors and patterns, and would like to create small wall hangings and a pillow or two. I have a background in art, but not in fabric-related arts, and it would be great to do something new. Thanks.

  60. What a beautiful book! I’d hope to make a sufficiently skilled cushion cover for a very special relative that could do with some creative pleasure in her life.

  61. I’d love to win this prize so I can share the skills with some crafty friends on Zoom whom I rarely get to see. I started to teach myself punch needle but got stuck and this prize would be a way forward for me and an opportunity to have fun with others.

  62. I would love to use the punch needle kit to make a much needed back rest after being hunched over all my COVID projects this past year!

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