Best Punch Needle Kits for Beginners: I tested 3 Kimberbell Kits

I’ve spent a lot of time quilting and sewing, but punch needle was completely new to me.

So when I had the chance to try a few punch needle kits, I was curious to see how beginner-friendly they actually were.

I’m happy to report that punch needle was much easier to pick up than I expected. If you’re already a quilter, sewist, or fiber artist, I think you’ll probably find a lot to love about it too.

In this post, I’m sharing what I learned from trying punch needle for the first time, what you actually need to get started, and some of my favorite Kimberbell punch needle kits for beginners.

I’ll be featuring three kits that I have on hand and are my personal favorites, but they have dozens available in the Kimberbell shop:

SHOP PUNCH NEEDLE KITS

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What Is Punch Needle Embroidery?

Punch needle is a type of hand embroidery that uses a special punch needle tool to create loops of yarn through a woven fabric called monks cloth.

Instead of making individual stitches with a traditional embroidery needle, you’re essentially punching loops into the fabric. Those loops build up to create a raised, textured design. They almost look like tiny little pieces of art made from yarn.

Another thing I like about punch needle is that you don’t need a sewing machine. There is very little setup involved, and you can work on a small project for a few minutes at a time. That’s especially appealing to me because I don’t always have a huge block of uninterrupted time for a craft project.

Kimberbell describes its punch needle projects as a way to “paint with thread,” and I think that’s a pretty good description. Their collection includes both complete punch needle projects and individual supplies for making your own designs.

Are Punch Needle Kits Good for Beginners?

Absolutely. In fact, I think a punch needle kit is probably one of the easiest ways to try punch needle for the first time.

The biggest reason is that you don’t have to figure out which supplies you need before you’ve even learned the technique.

A complete beginner punch needle kit can include the punch needle tool, monks cloth, yarn, a frame or hoop, needles, and the other materials needed for the specific project.

Kimberbell’s punch needle collection is specifically designed with beginners in mind, and its kits include the materials and instructions needed to create the featured projects. The Kimberbell projects are called “Punch Needle PLUS” because not only do they include the basic punch needle supplies, but they also incorporate other embellishments like appliqué, hand embroidery, buttons, etc.

What Should a Beginner Punch Needle Kit Include?

If you’re shopping for a punch needle kit for beginners, these are the things I’d look for:

Punch needle tool
Punch needle threader
Monks cloth
Yarn
Pattern or pre-printed design
Embroidery needle and threader
Hoop or frame
Instructions or video tutorials

Having all of those supplies together makes a big difference. I know from sewing and quilting how quickly a new hobby can turn into a shopping list of tools and supplies. I don’t necessarily want to buy ten different things just to find out whether I enjoy a new craft. That’s one reason I liked starting with a complete kit.

What Comes in a Kimberbell Punch Needle Kit?

Kimberbell has several different types of punch needle kits, so what’s included varies a little from project to project.

The Punch Needle Plus kits are particularly nice if you’re brand new because they include the supplies needed to complete the specific project.

For example, the So Berry Happy Punch Needle Plus Kit includes an 8-inch round faux wood hoop, pre-printed monks cloth, punch needle tool and threader, embroidery needle and threader, laser-cut fusible appliqué fabric, and the yarn needed for the project. It also includes detailed video tutorials that make it so easy even for a beginner.

The You’re the Zest Punch Needle Plus Kit has a very similar setup, with the hoop, pre-printed monks cloth, punch needle tool, applique fabric, yarn, and video tutorials included.

That’s a lot less overwhelming than trying to source every supply individually. And because the designs are already planned out, you can focus on learning the actual punch needle technique.

My First Time Trying Punch Needle

This was my first time doing punch needle. I had seen punch needle projects before, but I had never actually picked up a punch needle tool and tried it myself.

As someone who already quilts and sews, I wasn’t too worried about learning something new, but I was still curious about how long it would take to feel comfortable with the technique.

Once I understood how the tool was supposed to move through the monks cloth, it started to make sense pretty quickly.

The first few punches felt a little unfamiliar. That’s normal when you’re learning any new craft, of course. But I didn’t feel like I needed a huge amount of practice before I could actually start working on the design. I only tore out a couple small areas to re-do them, and that part was super easy too!

I also really liked the scale of these projects.

When I sit down to quilt, I’m usually thinking about a project that involves cutting fabric, sewing multiple pieces together, pressing, trimming, and eventually quilting and binding the whole thing. Punch needle is a very different experience.

You can sit down with a small project and immediately start making visible progress in just a few minutes. And there is something really satisfying about watching the texture build as you work.

If you’re a quilter who enjoys handwork, I think you’ll probably understand the appeal. Many quilters really enjoy the step of hand binding a quilt, and this is a similarly slow, steady, and therapeutic process.

Best Punch Needle Kits for Beginners From Kimberbell

Kimberbell has a surprisingly large selection of punch needle projects right now.

There are floral designs, seasonal projects, cute animals and bugs, colorful fruit, whimsical designs, and kits that simply provide the basic supplies so you can make your own project.

The current collection includes more than a dozen project kits, along with separate punch needle hoop, monks cloth, and tool sets.

Here are the ones I’d pay the most attention to if you’re looking for an easy punch needle kit.

Best Beginner Punch Needle Kit: So Berry Happy

So Berry Happy would be one of my first recommendations if you’ve never tried punch needle before.

The design is adorable, but it’s also a great size for a first project.

The finished project uses an 8-inch round faux wood hoop, and the kit includes pre-printed monks cloth, the punch needle tool and threader, embroidery needle and threader, yarn, and laser-cut fusible applique fabric.

There are three strawberries to punch and two additional strawberries made with the included applique fabric.

I really like how Kimberbell combines techniques and arts into one project! You’re not spending the entire project doing exactly the same technique. You get to play with both punch needle and appliqué, which gives the finished piece a little more dimension.

And the video tutorials are a nice bonus when you’re learning.

Best Bright and Cheerful Punch Needle Kit: You’re the Zest

If you like bright colors and happy kitchen-inspired decor, You’re the Zest is such a fun option. The design features lemons and leaves, and the finished piece has a really cheerful look.

Like So Berry Happy, this is a Punch Needle Plus Kit. It includes an 8-inch round faux wood hoop, 11-by-11-inch pre-printed monks cloth, punch needle tool and threader, embroidery needle and threader, laser-cut fusible applique fabric, and the yarn needed to complete the project. Detailed video tutorials are included as well.

I especially like this one if you’re someone who wants your finished craft project to double as decor. It’s the kind of small project that would be cute hanging in a kitchen, craft room, or sewing space.

Best Nature-Inspired Punch Needle Kit: Bugs & Blooms

If strawberries and lemons aren’t quite your style, take a look at Bugs & Blooms.

This one combines little ladybugs with flowers and leaves. The ladybug wings are made with appliqué fabric, while the other elements are created with punch needle.

The kit includes the punch needle tool, monks cloth, yarn, frame, applique fabric, and detailed video tutorials. The finished project goes into a round faux wood frame.

I love the combination of the little bugs and flowers. It feels playful without being overly childish, so I think it would be especially cute in a craft room, garden room, or anywhere you want a little pop of color.

The finished design looks complicated when you first see it, but you’re really just breaking it down into smaller sections and working through the project one part at a time.

More Kimberbell Punch Needle Kits to Try

If none of those three designs are calling your name, there are plenty of other Kimberbell punch needle kits to choose from. The collection changes over time, so I recommend checking the current selection before deciding on a project.

Floral Punch Needle Kits

If you love flowers, there are several options worth checking out. Boho Blossoms has a more colorful, modern floral look.

Whimsical Punch Needle Kits

For something a little more playful, look at Mushroom Meadows or Be My Gnomie? Kimberbell also has Hugs and Kisses, which has a more traditional cute-and-whimsical feel. These would make fun gifts for someone who enjoys handmade projects.

Seasonal Punch Needle Kits

If you like changing your decor throughout the year, Kimberbell has several seasonal punch needle projects. Current options include Ghouls’ Night Out, Jack-O’-Lantern Jubilee, and Happy Holly Days, along with several patriotic designs.

I actually think seasonal punch needle kits could be a really fun way to build a small collection of handmade decorations over time. They’re much smaller commitments than making an entire seasonal quilt.

Punch Needle Kits for Making Your Own Projects

You don’t have to start with a pre-designed project. Kimberbell also sells punch needle starter supplies, including 7.5-inch oval and 8-inch round hoop kits with monks cloth and tools.

There are also pre-stretched monks cloth frame and punch needle tool sets in 8-inch and 10-inch sizes. I’d probably recommend starting with a complete project kit if you’ve never tried punch needle. Once you know you enjoy it, then it makes more sense to experiment with your own designs.

What Do You Need to Start Punch Needle?

If you buy a complete punch needle kit, you don’t need a huge collection of supplies. That’s one of the reasons I think kits are such a good option for beginners.

You’ll need:

A punch needle kit
A comfortable place to work
Good lighting
Scissors

And that’s about it for a complete kit. The specialized supplies are already handled. As someone who is used to quilting, I really appreciated this. There are already enough sewing and quilting tools in my workspace. I didn’t need another craft to give me a new list of supplies to track down.

Which Punch Needle Kit Should You Choose?

If you’re trying to decide which beginner punch needle kit to buy, I’d narrow it down based on the design you like best.

And if you already know that punch needle is going to be your new obsession, you can always skip the project kit and start building your own collection of punch needle supplies.

Punch Needle Kits for Beginners FAQs

Is punch needle easy for beginners?

Yes. Punch needle does take a little practice, but the basic technique is fairly easy to learn. Starting with a complete punch needle kit makes the process even simpler because you don’t have to figure out all of the supplies yourself.

What do you need for a beginner punch needle kit?

A beginner punch needle kit should ideally include a punch needle tool, monks cloth, yarn, a hoop or frame, and instructions. Some kits also include embroidery needles, applique materials, and video tutorials.

What is the best punch needle kit for beginners?

I’d recommend choosing a complete project kit with all of the necessary supplies included. For a first project, I especially like So Berry Happy because it combines punch needle with applique and comes with the tool, fabric, yarn, frame, and video tutorials.

Is punch needle the same as embroidery?

Punch needle and embroidery are both forms of decorative handwork, but they use different techniques. Traditional embroidery typically uses a needle to create individual stitches, while punch needle uses a special tool to create loops through monks cloth.

Can quilters learn punch needle?

Definitely. If you already quilt, you probably have many of the skills that make learning punch needle easier. You already understand working with color, following patterns, handling fiber, and paying attention to details. Punch needle also gives you a smaller project when you don’t want to commit to another quilt. Also, I have a selection of Beginner Quilt Kits available if you would rather stick with quilting!

What other crafts are good for beginners?

If you want a great beginner-friendly fiber arts craft, I would also recommend trying out crochet or this beginner guide to quilting.

Do punch needle kits include everything you need?

Many complete punch needle kits include most or all of the specialized supplies needed for the project. Kimberbell’s Punch Needle Plus Kits, for example, include supplies such as monks cloth, yarn, the punch needle tool, a hoop or frame, and other project-specific materials.