Punch Needle Friends

Easy to follow instructions, plenty of photos and cute patterns - can't wait to try the punch needle sloth!

I was able to read this book for free in exchange for an honest review. And I gave it five out of five because it's a nice bang for your buck. All the animals are super cute and I think they'd all look great in a little girl's nursery as is. But they'd also be super easy to change for a little boy's room instead.

I want to thank Netgalley and the author for gifting me the ebook! I love doing crafts and I cannot wait to try some of these patterns. I have a lot of nephews and a niece and they will love a lot of these patterns.

Punch Needle Friends is a sweetly whimsical tutorial collection with patterns by Faustine Duwicquet. Released 27th July 2021 by Penguin Random House on their Interweave imprint, it's 128 pages and is available in paperback and ebook formats.

These are really well balanced and appealing designs which are appropriate for a number of uses. The author shows the projects framed in embroidery hoops for consistency, but they'd also be lovely finished for other uses: pillows, soft furnishings, covers, wall hangings, and more. The book includes a good pictorial primer of the tools and supplies necessary as well as beginning setup and general techniques for punch needle with yarn. The techniques could be done with fabric strips, but the book doesn't include instructions for that - these projects are shown with yarn.

The projects themselves are arranged sequentially from easier to more advanced. None of them are overly complex. The projects also include surface details such as sewn bows, felt embellishments, and textural stitches. Each tutorial includes tools and supplies with measurements given in both American standard and metric (yay!). Yarn supplies are given by color without yardages. The step by step instructions are accompanied by multiple clear color photos and simple text captions. Templates are included in the back of the book (and according to the publisher's info, the physical copy also includes iron on transfers).

All of the projects are of animals with fun details (the otter, deer, and llama with their adorable little flower crowns are wonderful). All of them will give a good introduction to punch needle and allow readers to branch out into their own projects.

Five stars. It's very nice to see fibrearts other than cross-stitch getting some exposure. This book would be a good choice for maker's groups, fibrearts and embroidery guilds, public or school libraries, and the crafter's home studio.

Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.

This is a great new take on embroidery, resulting in a plusher looking and unique finished project. The book contains step-by-step instructions, with pictures, for the patterns and stitches. The 12 patterns are varied and quite attractive. This would be an excellent book for embroidery enthusiasts who are interested in learning a new technique.

Absolutely adored "Punch Needle Friends"! I love arts & crafts, but haven't gotten into embroidery yet. Mostly because I have no idea where to begin and no friends who are into it. The 20 projects were thorough and easy to follow as a novice. The animal faces were all super cute and I'd definitely recommend this book to anyone interested in learning how to embroider!

Oh, which to choose? They are all so irresistably cute designs! All 20 of them! You'll be dying to try one of each. Anyone who is "craft-crazy" will find these designs a breeze. The novice 'crafter' will be well guided through each project as step-by-step diagams, pictures and write-ups combine to give excellent tutelage from first to last punched stitches.
~Eunice C. - Reviewer/Blogger~

Wow what a fabulous book. Needle punch has been around for a long time, and once one understand the process and have the tools, it is a very easy craft. What pull this book out of the old craft category is the adaptation that it has been put to. The designs are fabulous, with portraits of many both cute and charming animals. Punch needle creates texture and the little horse with its flowing mane is outstanding, as is King Charles spaniel and the koala. There are many others, a llama, a sloth, foxes, pandas and many more fabulous faces to needle punch. Wonderful gifts, use of that spare ball of wool or to create a unique creation.
Patterns, instruction and full color photos are included in this wonderful book

This book is simply adorable! I have done a lot of needlework and crafting, and I've been meaning to try punch needle, which is regaining in popularity, but haven't gotten to yet. When I'm ready to try it, I will definitely find a copy of this book. The animal faces will appeal to both young and old alike and make great presents for others! The patterns have simple lines to follow. The instructions seem clear and easy to follow. I really appreciate the amount of photos included! Photos are very helpful to crafters at seeing the process.