About

Micah Clasper-Torch is a Los Angeles-based artist, designer, and educator at the forefront of punch needle rug hooking’s modern resurgence. Blurring the line between fine art, design, and craft, she creates one-of-a-kind textile pieces, from wearable coats and handbags to wall hangings and sculptural mixed-media artwork.

With a BFA in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT) and Politecnico di Milano, Micah’s work is informed by over 15 years of experience in fashion, art, and textile design. In 2018, she debuted the first-ever punch needle coat, combining her expertise in garment construction with this nearly forgotten technique. Her innovative approach has positioned her as a leader in the craft’s contemporary revival.

A certified Oxford Punch Needle Instructor, Micah trained under Amy Oxford, the renowned rug hooker and founder of The Oxford Rug Hooking School in Vermont. In 2023, she earned her Advanced Oxford Certification and served on the board of the Oxford Punch Needle Instructors Guild from 2021-2023.

In 2020, she founded Punch Needle World, an educational platform and online community dedicated to preserving and expanding the art, history, and future of punch needle. Her teaching approach honors established craft traditions while pushing boundaries through contemporary design. Through Punch Needle Academy, her online courses have introduced thousands of students to the technique, making high-quality instruction and materials more accessible worldwide.

Micah’s textile work has been exhibited at TUFT (Group Projects PHL, Philadelphia) and Sauder Village’s Rug Hooking Week (Ohio). Her work and writing have been featured in Rug Hooking Magazine, Koel Magazine, Mollie Makes, Love Embroidery, SisterMag, MANNEQUIM, and more.