:QUOTE [quotetype:personal]
Throwing out a sock for a hole the size of a thumbnail is one of the smallest wastes you can fix in about fifteen minutes.



:INFO
What Darning Actually Is
Darning rebuilds worn or holed fabric by weaving new thread across the gap. A mushroom darner is a smooth wooden dome that you slip inside the sock to hold the fabric taut and give your needle a firm surface to work against. Unlike patching, darning produces a flexible repair that holds up to the same stress as the original knit.


:PATH
Choose the Right Thread
Match your thread weight to the sock as closely as possible.
|
:INFO
Choose the Right Thread
Match your thread weight to the sock as closely as possible. For fine wool or cotton socks, use a thin wool darning yarn or a single strand of embroidery floss. For heavy hiking socks, use a thicker darning wool. Color matching is optional. Contrast


:PATH
Set Up the Work
Slip the mushroom darner inside the sock and position the worn area centered
|
:INFO
Set Up the Work
Slip the mushroom darner inside the sock and position the worn area centered over the dome. Hold the sock taut over the dome with your non-dominant hand. Thread your darning needle with about 50 cm of yarn. Begin your work 5 to 6 mm outside the worn area


:PATH
Weave the Darn
Run parallel straight stitches across the hole in one direction, keeping even
|
:INFO
Weave the Darn
Run parallel straight stitches across the hole in one direction, keeping even tension and spacing them about 1 to 2 mm apart. Do not knot the ends. Leave small loops at each turn so the darn can stretch. Once you have covered the hole in one direction,


:CHECKLIST
What You Need for Darning
[ ] Wooden mushroom darner
[ ] Darning needle (large eye, blunt or slightly sharp tip)
[ ] Darning wool or matching thread
[ ] Small scissors
[ ] Good light source
[ ] A sock worth saving