The new needle punch jute bag

20th March 2021

It’s March and the first day of spring! I really feel like I’m coming out of hibernation. The days are getting longer, the air is getting warmer (slowly, this is England after all), and the garden is starting to explode with colour! The latest Craft Box Club kit has a super spring vibe with Daffodils all over the place!

I’ve been trying to green up my work space recently as, like so many of us, I’m spending way more time at home than ever and the winter weather has been keeping me indoors more than usual. I’ve invested in this little chap, Cedric the Cheese Plant to green my office. I love this feeling of bringing the outside in and it helps to strengthen my connection with nature!

The craft - Needle punch

If you’re new to needle punch, you’re in for a treat! It’s a super simple way of embroidering fabric, particularly good for anything with an open weave. You thread your needle with yarn or thread and push it into the fabric, usually something like cotton monks cloth. Each stab of your needle leaves loops in the fabric which create a pattern.

Many needle punch kits you’ll find will show you how to create a decorative pattern in an embroidery hoop which is great, but I know that my subscribers love their makes to be practical. That’s why we’re going to be decorating a super cool, super useful, jute shopper!

The Eco credentials

Yes the shopping bags in this kit are make of strong, sustainable jute! A brilliant choice for a reusable shopping bag! But watch out! When searching for these bags I found out that most jute shoppers are lined with, yes, PLASTIC! I couldn’t believe it. Beautiful natural material on the outside but for some reasons people seem to think they need a layer of plastic on the inside. Why!!?!?! So I’ve gone for the unlined version.

The yarn in this craft kit is from one of my fave suppliers, World of Wool, based on Yorkshire. This wool is amazing quality and plastic free. It’s a merino wool and silk blend. Again, strong and sustainable! Thanks guys!

Top Tips for needle punching Jute

OK, so needle punching into Jute is a bit different. Yes, it’s harder work than punching into monks cloth but I think it’s worth it so you can create an brilliant effect on an awesome, robust material.

1. Be careful! - It might not look it but the end of the needle is sharp and you’ll need to push pretty hard.

2. Get in the flow - Make sure that your yarn can flow easily through the needle.

3. Keep it close - Keep the needle tip close to the fabric. Don’t pull the needle away too much or the stitch will fall out.

4. Be gentle but firm - Apply gentle pressure to the needle when punching into the fabric.

5. Give a helping hand - You may need to give each stich a pinch from behind the fabric to hold it in place.

The video guide that comes with this craft kit gives you super clear, up close instructions to make this work.

Go Get creative

Fancy having a go? Just click the button below to explore beautiful eco friendly crafting. Start your creative journey here!