A free Valentine's Day punch needle craft project

by Sara Moore - 9 February 2023

Making a punch needle hoop at a Whole Punching workshop at the Paperdolls market in Birmingham

Love it or hate it, the day to celebrate love is nearly here. Whether you’re team Valentine’s Day, or Galentine’s Day or in fact, anti-Valentine’s Day these crafty DIY punch needle hearts are universally cute. A fun, easy punch needle project with free template and step-by-step instructions to make your own ode to love. They are the perfect Valentine’s craft project for using up your yarn scraps or fabric from previous punch needle projects. Punch them in traditional Valentine colours of pink and red or choose a different palette. With a multitude of possibilities, what will you use your punch needle hearts for? Create your perfect Valentine’s tablescape and use your hearts as napkin ring holders or why not level up your accessories with a brooch, hair slide or key chain. Display your love all year round or save it for that special occasion.

The heart template is available as a free PDF punch needle pattern along with step-by-step photos and instructions. The free tutorial is perfect for complete beginners and those new to punch needle. The free PDF lists all the punch needle tools and materials you will need, teaches you how to use a punch needle, transfer your heart design, stretch your punch needle fabric, make your punch needle heart, tidy up your punch needle stitches, sew and finish your heart. Why not use the free pattern and some leftover materials as an affordable, alternative date night activity.

What is punch needle?

Punch needle is a yarn-based, textile craft that is great for those new to crafting and for those who don’t consider themselves particularly creative or artistic. The technique was originally used for making rugs or floor coverings, but modern applications include wall hangings, cushions, bags and accessories. 

Using a simple punch needle tool, fabric and yarn you can create a variety of different projects. The simple up and down motion can take a little practice to master but once you have it's extremely relaxing to do.

What you need for your Valentine’s punch needle heart

You can use whichever combination of punch needle materials you have and feel comfortable using to make the punch needle hearts. The materials I have used here work well for making smaller punch needle hearts. So if you want to turn your punch needle hearts into delicate items such as hair bobbles, hair slides or napkin rings, these materials will work well. The 100% cotton aran weight yarn is lovely to use for smaller, more delicate projects. If you wanted to make larger punch needle hearts you could definitely use a thicker punch needle, along with monks cloth and a thicker yarn, such as a chunky rug yarn. The larger hearts with rug yarn would be especially good for making trivets for hot pans or plates as the 100% wool rug yarn is great for protecting items from heat.

Making a punch needle heart using Lavor punch needle, gripper hoop and linen fabric

Punch needle materials used for the hearts

I used the following materials to make small punch needle hearts:
• Lavor fine punch needle – use the largest needle tip
• 100% cotton aran weight yarn
• Linen punch needle foundation fabric
• 5” no slip Morgan gripper hoop
• Wool mix felt fabric for backing the hearts

In addition to these you will need: • Marker pen
• Scissors
• Needle and thread
• Clips or pegs

Download the free PDF punch needle heart template

Download the free PDF template so that you can trace the heart onto your punch needle foundation fabric before punching. The template is A6 in size so if you are printing you can choose to print to scale, or simply trace over a screen. Once made the punch needle hearts will measure approximately 7 cm at the widest point. The instructions include step-by-step photos, so even if you’re a beginner to punch needle you’ll be able to make these cute hearts.

A finished punch needle heart

Alternative date night activities: Crafty DIY kits to make at home

If you’re looking for an alternative date night activity to do with your loved one at home, why not try one of these crafty kits. Get some tasty food delivered, pour your favourite tipple and get cosy whilst learning something new together.

Origami Est’s Peonies Kit

The most stunning origami flowers. With peonies being one of my absolute favourite flowers I couldn’t resist this beautiful kit. With it’s strong links to mindfulness origami can help you to take some time to unwind at home. The kit includes everything you need to make three of these pretty peonies. Flowers that will last the whole year round, not just for Valentine's Day.

Origami peonies in a vase

Hazel and Blue’s Calm and Cosy Soy Candle Making Kit

Their eco-friendly, bestselling candle kit includes everything to make two soy scented, natural, vegan candles. One for you and one for your loved one. This kit has the bonus of making your home cosy and smell wonderful in the process.

Hazel and Blue soy candle making kit

Badger and Birch’s Scallop Shell Vase Making Kit

We all know I have a thing for scallops and this gorgeous vase is no exception. Why not pair with the peonies kit to create a beautiful display with your very own handmade vase and flowers. This lovely kit makes a great gift for the craft obsessive in your life.

Handmade shell vase in pink terrazzo

Whether you’re celebrating Valentine’s, Galentine’s or Palentine’s (or not), I hope this has given you some crafty ideas for activities at home. If you do decide to make your own punch needle hearts using the free pattern I’d absolutely love to see them. Please tag me on social media using #wholepunching or @wholepunching.

 Lots of love, Sara x