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One of my most favorite new to me crafts I’ve found in recent years is Punch Needle Embroidery. If you can hold and use a pencil, you can totally learn how to use a punch needle tool! And if you purchase an Oxford Punch Needle that is kind of fat, it’s easy to hold even with arthritic hands which is a huge win for me! Plus you can knock out rugs and pillows and all sorts of amazing things that are totally custom to your design style and color palette!
I made this rug many months ago and I never got around to photographing it because every single time I got this sucker on the ground, my little kitty Marla would run her blind self over and lay down on the rug. As soon as she had her belly to the rug, she’d start making biscuits and I’d scramble to remove her claws without removing any loops in the rug :) Now that she’s not around, I’ve got the rug out and my other kitty Maybe loves it but (so far) she hasn’t done any damage!
Supplies Needed to Make Your Own Leopard Punch Needle Rug:
- Punch Needle (Etsy | Amazon)
- 26″ Artist Canvas Stretcher Bars Qty. 2
- 28″ Artist Canvas Stretcher Bars Qty. 2
- Staple Gun
- Monk’s Cloth (Etsy)
- Yarn (my colors below)
- Sharp Scissors
- Beige Embroidery Floss
Free Printable Punch Needle Patterns Are Available to Our Newsletter Subscribers
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Heart-Shaped Leopard Punch Needle Rug Free Pattern
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Selecting Colors for Your Rug
You can use any colors you please for this rug. I typically prefer to punch with cotton or wool yarn because it’s easier to finish but I liked best the colors I found in an acrylic. If using acrylic you cannot use heat to press down your edges once the rug is finished as it could melt the fibers. Use whatever fiber content you are comfortable using. I used Loops and Thread Impeccable Yarn (at Michael’s) in the colors Soft Rose, Gold, and Royal.
Choosing Which PDF to Print Your Leopard Rug Pattern
There are 2 PDF files inside of the ZIP file. One is to print the large pattern in pieces that fit onto 6 letter-sized (8.5″ x 11″) sheets of paper. The other is already set to be printed at a copy store (Staples, Office Depot, etc.) as a black and white Architect’s Print that is 24″ x 36″. Why 2 different files? I wanted to just send a file off and pick it up already the perfect size and ready to go. It cost me less than $4 and gave me an excuse to go to Target which is just a few stores down :) However, if you want to print this leopard punch needle rug pattern at home, you can print pages 2-7 of the PDF and then piece it together.
Making Your Punch Needle Leopard Heart Rug
Create a frame to hold your rug that is at least a few inches larger around the pattern. I used 2 – 26″ Artist Canvas Stretcher Bars and 2 – 28″ Artist Canvas Stretcher Bars but you can use larger if it’s what you already have on hand. Place the stretcher bars on the ground in your shape with the same size across from one another. Push the corners together and the fit should be somewhat snug and they should fit together well. If they do not, you can use a staple across the join of the 2 pieces.
Place your printed pattern onto a large window. With the sun shining through, transfer the pattern to a piece of monk’s cloth several inches larger on all sides than the pattern itself. Use masking tape to hold the pattern and monk’s cloth in place as you trace. You can trace using a pen, Sharpie, or whatever you have on hand. The ink lines will not be visible once the rug is complete.
Stretch the monk’s cloth across the frame and use a staple gun to staple in place. You want the monk’s cloth to be nice and tight so that it is taut as you punch. Get your punch needle out and load it with yarn and punch up this leopard punch needle rug with your choice of colors!
Need More Help with Punch Needle Embroidery?
If you’re still new to this craft check out out information heavy guide Learn How to Punch Needle. Help for finishing your rug is coming soon! If you want to finish your rug right now, you can also use the same method for creating an applique from your punch needle work! Punch Needle Applique Tutorial
