darning

Darning is a sewing technique used to repair small holes or worn areas in fabric by filling the damaged region with interlaced yarn or thread. The goal is to restore strength and extend the garment’s life, often by mending socks, sweaters, and other woven or knitted textiles. Darning can be done from the right side of the fabric or the wrong side, depending on the garment and the desired appearance.

Two common approaches are woven darning for woven fabrics and needle weaving for knitted fabric. In woven darning, the hole is covered with a grid of yarns laid parallel to the fabric’s warp and weft, anchored at the hole’s edges. The grid is then filled by weaving the opposite direction to create a patch that resembles the surrounding weave. In knitted fabrics, the hole is typically repaired with a series of closely spaced, crisscross stitches that weave across the hole to join the loose loops, often gradually building up the repair from the edges.

Tools and materials include a darning needle (a pointed, slightly large-eyed needle), thread or yarn of suitable weight and color, and a supporting underlay such as a darning mushroom or a wooden egg. The fabric is stretched over the support to prevent additional distortion during repair.

History and use: Darning has long been a common household technique for prolonging the life of textiles. It is also used in textile conservation to stabilize damaged fabrics without removing original material. In modern sewing, darning remains a practical skill for repairing socks and other garments and may incorporate decorative effects.