Tracing Dog Designs

1) Trim the design and center it on the back of the canvas

2) Trace the dog part only onto the front of the canvas

3) Flip the design sheet to the front of the canvas and trace the square outline to the back of the canvas

Flat Punching the Outline

1) Thread the needle and punch it into the front of the canvas

2) Slightly lift the needle and move it half an inch over to punch again

3) Repeat on all borders

Punch Needling on Front

see ^ for filling in the dog

Loopy Punching on Dogs

1) After completing the dog, thread the needle with the background color

2) Punch through the back of the canvas to create loops on the displayed side (start with border and edge of dog)

3) Follow ordinary punch needle finishing steps after filling in background

• Tape the design onto a window
• Center the front of the canvas on the design, back (stapled) side facing you
• Trace the design onto the inside cloth with a marker or pen

Step 1 of Punch Needling

• Insert the wire threader into the top of the needle, entering from the side hole and threading down the handle
• Insert a few inches of yarn between the wire threader
• Pull it through the eye of the punch needle by the threader tab

Step 2 of Punch Needling

• Punch the needle fully into the cloth (leaving the needle in the cloth)
• Pull the hanging yarn loop out so a few inches hang on the front of the canvas
• Pull the needle back through the cloth and punch the next hole 1/4 inch forward
• Punch along the pattern design outline first, then fill in the center

Step 3 of Punch Needling

• Once one section is complete, punch the needle through the canvas and cut the loop
• Repeat step 2 with the next color and then repeat step 3
• When all sections are punched, trim the yarn ends to match the height of the loops

Step 4 of Punch Needling

Why are my loops coming out?

• You are lifting the needle too high or not punching it all the way down.

How do I fix a mistake?

• Monks cloth is very forgiving. You can pull any stitches out and brush your needle over the hole to fix the cloth. Then punch again!

Why am I punching through the back of the canvas?

• The art of punch needling has the loops on display. When you punch your design on the back, you flip the canvas to reveal your masterpiece!