Well it was bound to happen sooner or later! I had to try combining punch needle embroidery and felt! I’ve been practicing my punch needle skills, working to get my stitches even, experimenting with different yarns. While it’s a pretty easy craft to pick up, I feel like it does take some trial and error to get things to look just how I want them to.

Betz White Punch Needle Coasters

I punched my designs onto monks cloth with bulky roving style yarn, using the size 9 regular oxford punch. I wanted to try something straight forward and small scale, like a set of coasters. I had some nice 3mm thick wool felt in my stash that made the perfect border and backing for these coasters. Very rug like! Maybe more “mug rug” than coaster.

Betz White Punch Needle pincushions

 

I also thought it would be fun to whip up some cute little pincushions. I made the little “shrub” style in the back first. But you know when there’s felt scraps around crazy things happen! Petals! I love the extra dimension and texture variation when combining the punched yarn and the wool felt. CUTE!

I’ve applied to a couple of local holiday craft fairs and prototyped these as potential items to sell, alongside my knit throws and accessories. Fingers crossed I get accepted! Meanwhile, stay tuned for more ideas and perhaps a limited edition collection of woolly cuteness! It feels so good to MAKE stuff. What have you made lately?