How To Make A Better Punch Needle Threader You will need: pliers, thick wire, punch needle for size reference. Cut a length of wire about 3"(8cm) longer than your punch needle. Create a loop at one end... Hold wire with pliers at loop join. Then twist wire with fingers. Do 2 or 3 twists. Squash the loop a bit flatter. Make sure your threader fits in your punch needle. And finally test how it threads.