Q&A for How to Needle Punch

You can use any fabric, as long as you use a hoop and have the correct tension. The stitches require good pressure and tension.

This depends on the desired design. Start with three strands, adding or subtracting if needed. You just have to make sure the fabric is hooped in nice and tight. Tap the fabric once it hoop. It should resonate like a drum.

Embroidery floss is a good way to start. I often enjoy using regular sewing thread, because it's thin enough for little details.

Different gauges can be used for different types and sizes of thread.

You are probably pulling your needle too far out of the fabric, thereby undoing your stitch. Keep the needle in contact with the surface of the fabric as you pull out and move along your row. There is nothing actually holding your loops in place except the weave of the fabric and the right density of the stitches packed together. If you pull out too far, the stitch comes out with the needle. If you pull out far enough to undo one stitch, you probably already pulled part of the previous couple of stitches as well. If one stitch is equal to 1/2" of thread, pulling 2 inches away from the surface equals 4 stitches undone.

Hand washing is best so as to prevent the threads from coming undone in the machine, but if you must machine wash, use the delicate cycle.

Any fabric that can be pulled taught will do. I don't suggest sporty materials, though, such as jersey knit or plastics for parachutes or kites.

You put the thread through the spool and put the spool through the small hole of the needle.

No knotting is necessary. The stitches are close enough to each other to prevent unraveling.

Punch needle is worked from the back side, which is flat, while the loops are the front side.

What I always do is thread the end of the yarn through the loops and then tie the two ends together.

You need an embroidery hoop to be able to use the tool, regardless of the fabric. The fabric has to be kept taut, and consistently so, for it to work properly. T-shirt material might not be ideal for embroidery, since it can stretch a lot.

No. This technique works only for this kind of embroidery. For cross-stitch, you would use a tapestry needle.

You can use a large needle use for wool. It should work well.

No, because canvas can tear easily and your design will not turn out well. I would recommend using fabric instead of canvas.