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So, you’ve worn through the heels of your favourite socks again. The cosy ones. The ones that never slip down in your shoes or bunch up in the wash. The ones you can’t quite bring yourself to throw away, even though your toes are now fully exposed to the elements. We get it. And we’ve got you. Because the truth is: darning a pair of socks isn’t just possible—it’s simple, satisfying, and weirdly addictive once you get the hang of it. Best of all? You don’t have to limit yourself to socks. This technique works on jumper elbows, worn out knees on jeans, beanies with moth holes—you name it. So grab your kit, pop the kettle on, and let’s bring those beloved socks back to life.
What You’ll Need
- A darning mushroom (or anything similar—an orange or a small jar could work)
- A needle suitable for your fabric
- Scissors
- Yarn or thread that’s similar in weight to the sock
- A needle threader (not essential, but highly recommended if threading makes you sweat)
- Your holey socks
Step 1: Prepare Your Thread
Cut about 12 inches of your chosen yarn or thread, and use your threader to help guide it through the needle’s eye. No need to tie a knot—just leave a little tail so it doesn’t slip through while you work.
Step 2: Get Your Sock Set Up
Keep your sock the right side out, and place your darning mushroom (or makeshift substitute) inside the sock, directly under the hole. You want a firm surface to sew against without stretching the fabric out of shape.
Step 3: Anchor Your Thread
Start your stitching roughly 5cm away from the hole. Push your needle into the fabric, and bring it out again about 1cm away. This gives your repair room to breathe and helps the new thread anchor into strong fabric.
Step 4: Create Horizontal (Warp) Lines
Begin in the corner about 1cm above the hole. Weave your thread in and out of the fabric in horizontal lines, staying clear of the hole itself for now. Think of this like laying down the framework of a little woven patch.
Continue working across, turning your work with each line, until the hole is covered by thread “bars” running horizontally.
Step 5: Time for the Vertical (Weft) Lines
Now it’s time to weave. Start threading your yarn vertically, going over and under the horizontal bars you just made. Just like you’d weave a basket. Continue this until the entire hole is covered with a tight, secure woven patch.
Pro tip: Don’t pull too tight! You want the darned patch to stretch naturally with the fabric.
Step 6: Finish it Off
Once you’ve covered the area, push your needle out about 5cm from your last stitch. Remove the darning mushroom before flipping the sock over and gently weaving the tail end of the thread back into your work to secure it. Snip any excess.
And you’re done!
Congrats—you’ve just darned your socks! Not only does your favourite pair get a new lease on life, but you’ve also helped keep a little bit of textile waste out of landfill.
It’s these small, thoughtful repairs that help make fashion circular. The kind of love and care that keeps our clothes in rotation and out of the bin. And whether it’s socks, sleeves, or sweaters—this simple mending technique can be your go-to whenever life wears a little hole into the things you love.
So go on. Wear your repair with pride.