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Hands Occupied

Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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Planetary Punch Needle Pillows

November 6, 2019 Leave a Comment

Learn how to make these planet-inspired punch needle throw pillows using embroidery hoops!
Wearing: Me-Made Stripey Myrna Sweater

I’d been looking for just the right throw pillows for my bedroom for months, and then I realized I could make a pair that were so much nicer and precisely suited my needs! So today I’m sharing how I made this fun project with you. These outer space-inspired pillows are accomplished with a few, humble embroidery hoops and 101-level punch needle skills, so they’re really easy to replicate. :)

Learn how to make these planet-inspired punch needle throw pillows using embroidery hoops!
Learn how to make these planet-inspired punch needle throw pillows using embroidery hoops!

Getting started

Yarns pictured
Red Heart Super Saver (light blue), Manos del Uruguay Serpentina in Malala, & some gifted handspun yarn made with a camel/wool fiber blend.

Supplies
1-2 throw pillows, pillow forms, etc. that are in need of a new cover. (I made new covers for some old throw pillows I’ve had since high school!)

3″, 6″ & 9″ embroidery hoops
punch needle tool (used: Oxford #10 punch needle)
scissors
punch needle project canvas – cut to the appropriate size for your cushion cover plus 1-2″
sewing thread
hand sewing needle

How to punch needle
If you’re new to punch needle (a.k.a. punch needle rug hooking), please refer to my punch needle basics tutorial for how to prep your canvas and work punch needle stitches.

Learn how to make these planet-inspired punch needle throw pillows using embroidery hoops!

How to make phased-look planets

To create a series of planets and half-planets like those pictured, simply center a large embroidery hoop on your canvas and work its entire area in one yarn. Next, align half of the hoop on the right edge of your canvas (don’t forget to leave a 1-2″ area of unworked canvas for seam allowance). Punch this half circle in line with your full circle. Repeat the process for a corresponding left half-planet. Fill the remainder of your canvas with a contrasting yarn. Easy peasy!

Learn how to make these planet-inspired punch needle throw pillows using embroidery hoops!

How to punch telescoping planets

“Telescoping” planets, as I’m calling them, are simply a series of three circles in varying sizes, aligned on the diagonal. Worked in a straight line on the diagonal, fill 3″, 6″ and 9″ embroidery hoop sections with punch needle stitches. Then work the remainder of your canvas in a contrasting yarn as before.

Learn how to make these planet-inspired punch needle throw pillows using embroidery hoops!

Finishing

You can check out my tutorial on weaving in punch needle ends, but beyond that, the remainder of the finishing on these pillows is pretty standard. After finishing the punch needling for your pillow fronts, you next fold your 1-2″ of seam allowance canvas to the back of your work and hand baste it in place all the way around.

Finally, hand sew your punch needle fronts to your pillow case or pillow form using a whip stitch. Depending on the size of your pillow(s), this process may or may not feel like it takes forever. Have fun! ;)

Learn how to make these planet-inspired punch needle throw pillows using embroidery hoops!
Learn how to make these planet-inspired punch needle throw pillows using embroidery hoops!
Learn how to make these planet-inspired punch needle throw pillows using embroidery hoops!

Filed Under: Punch Needle, Yarn Crafts Tagged With: embroidery hoops, planetary punch needle pillows, punch needle, punch rug, rug making, throw pillows

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad is a craft book author, designer & creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting, crochet, latch hook & macramé. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), a craft book author & pattern designer specializing in knitting, crochet, latch hook & macrame. Really anything with yarn! ❤️  My work combines vintage and modern design elements, featuring bold colors and graphic motifs.

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Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting Learn how to do the magic loop method for knitting in the round in 90 seconds. / Using the magic loop allows knitters to work in the round with a single, long circular needle at a range of circumferences. 
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For a time lapse of the studio organizing and tszuj-ing process, scroll down a couple posts on my feed. (There’s also a video or two featuring the old studio if you’re curious.) Happy June, friends! 
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Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches Finally organizing & putting the finishing touches on my home studio. After losing my studio space last fall, it’s feels really great to *occupy* this new space all the way. 😉
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I started by removing general clutter & returning straggler supplies from various WIPs, videos & design deadlines to their homes. Next, I hung a third peg board in the space - this one is mostly for display and less for organizing tools or projects. For the first time ever, I’m displaying projects from my book, plus a couple other faves. (The best thing about designing more yarn crafts besides knit & crochet is that I have some really fun -and delightfully pettable 😆- samples around.) I finished by adding a square dowel to my small supply storage tower to keep it from tipping over, plus re-arranging and de-cluttering the closet. 
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This cleaner space already has me feeling so much more creative and less overwhelmed. Now to find a safe spot in the basement for the tower of project samples in Rubbermaid tubs I liberated from my WIPs closet. Also why are there five?! 
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Here’s to keeping it clean for a few weeks! 🧶 
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It’s a disaster in here and my video microphone It’s a disaster in here and my video microphone isn’t cooperating, but it could be worse! How’s your day? 
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(If we haven’t yet met, I’m Heidi and I’m a pattern designer and tutorial creator specializing in yarn crafts like knitting & latch hook. You can learn more about my work and regularly find new tutorials in my profile. ☺️👋🏻)
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