Darning a sock, stitch by stitch
darning socks tools

Darn, Darn, My Sock Has a Hole

This article provides darning instructions, the use of tools, and time saving tips.
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Darning Pictures	Threading a Needle	Cause of Holes	Sock History
Sock Fabrics	Extra Darning Tips	Darning Story

Darning Sock Instructions, and Tips

Darning a Sock Thoughts

A hole in a sock cannot just be sewed together with a needle and thread, as this would cause a lump. A proper darned sock leaves no lump, the sock is comfortable to wear.
Some people would say why would you want to darn a sock, when you can just throw away socks with holes, and buy new ones? Have you ever had a pair of socks that fit so well and felt so right, not to tight, stays up and very comfortable? This would be one of those times to darn. How about a "security" sock, the ones your child just loves, or just a challenge, to see if you can do it? No matter what the reasons, you save yourself money, by repairing.

Darning socks is like trying to solve a puzzle. One must decide where to start and from there, the weaving begins, in and out until the patch is complete. Choose the yarn, wool that matches your sock in thickness and color. Use a round hard object (a round hard ball) to place inside the sock, this holds the sock in place while mending, this maintains the hole in one position, while you work on it. The round hard object also helps guide the needle end to slip smoothly across the hole. Start by turning the sock INSIDE-OUT and work in good light. When darning a hole in a sock, the hole is slowly filled by weaving yarn in and out, from one side of the hole, to the other side of the hole, creating a network of yarn stitches which cross to fill the hole.

For this examples, different color of wool are used, so you can see the stitching.

Darning Socks Pictures

In-side-out sock with ball inside, and first stitches placed across
hole in sock

Secondary stitches placed, and sock turned inside-out again
stitches finished, sock still inside out

Sock turned inside out, and finished stitches

Thread a Darning Needle

To thread the needle, fold the wool in half, about an inch from the end of the wool. Pinch the wool between your fingers, and press it against the eye of the needle. The wool will easily slip through the eyelet of the needle.

Darning, Placing the Stitches

Trim off any ragged edges around the hole.
Start, by choosing a blunt needle with a large eye, and a length of yarn that is comfortable for you to handle. Do not make a knot at the end of the yarn.
Whether you darn a cotton sock, or a wool sock, the repair is the same, match the yarn to the sock.
Use double yarn strand for heavy duty work socks and single strand for dress socks. Single strand yarn will do for most light duty socks.
Acrylic yarn is the most available yarn, and can be used on every type of sock.
Start three stitches away from the hole, and leave about half an inch of yarn sticking out of the sock. From here on do an over the sock hole edge and then a under, on the other side of the hole.
Alternate the over and under of the hole edge, on each new row. This helps provide a smoothness, so you will not feel a lump in the sock.
Each row will be stitched the opposite of the preceding row. This helps blend the stitching to the sock.
On the far side of the hole, stitch a couple of stitches into the sock before coming back the other way (back towards you). Always go a couple of stitches past the hole on both sides. If the sock is badly worn around the hole, make a couple extra stitches past the hole. When you run out of yarn, just finish with a couple of stitches into the sock, and cut off the yarn, leaving about a half inch sticking out of the sock, do not knot the end. Add new yarn into the needle and start with two or three stitches into the sock and carry on, just like when you first started.
Completely cover the hole in one direction with yarn, you should have spaces between each row the thickness of the yarn.
Start the secondary stitches, keeping the yarn as close together as possible, to obtain a tight weave.
It is under and over stitching until the hole is completed. Keep the wool tension moderate while darning. Use the end of the needle as you darn, to position the stitches for a uniform look.
Turn the sock inside out again for a finished look. For very large holes, because of the circumference of the darning ball, darn to the center of the hole, pull all the yarn through and then continue finishing the stitch across the hole

How to Reinforce a Worn Sock

If you catch it early enough, before an actual hole develops, you can reinforce the area in question. Just start darning the area, using the worn, bare threads of the sock to weave in and out of the sock. You do not have to add the secondary stitches, just go back and forth until the weak area is completely covered.

You can even stitch in reinforcement on a new sock (preventive maintenance), reinforce the area that will be the first spot to wear. This will extend the wear time for the sock. If you like, you can use a entirely different color to add some flair

Darning Socks, Extra Tips

When first learning to darn, start with a shorter pieces of yarn, this lessens the wool from bunching into knots while drawing the yarn through the strands.
Later you will learn how to let the yarn "lay", off to the side to prevent bunching, you can then lengthen the yarn as you master this technique.
At times, while darning, use the end of the needle to position the darned wool for consistency, this helps make a professional looking job.

On very large holes, darn to the center of the hole, pull all the yarn through to the center, then continue on to the other side. The reason we do this is because of the circumference of the ball makes it difficult to weave all the way across, in one pass.

Darning Story

Way, way, back in elementary school, our teacher had everyone in the class, bring a darning needle, yarn and a sock with a hole in it.
He was going to teach us how to darn a sock. In the first ten minutes, I had completed darning the hole in my sock and presented it to my teacher for inspection.
He took one look, took me aside, and wanted me to admit I had brought the completed darned sock from home and was pulling a "fast one".
I quickly came up with a solution to clear my name, let the teacher cut a new hole in the sock, and I would darn the hole and clear my name. Done!
I was quickly delegated to help other crying students who were having a difficult time.

What Causes Holes in Socks

A hole in a sock is caused by the friction in the sock, when the sock material is moved between the foot and shoe.
Sharp toenails hasten a hole, and if you happen to have upturned toenails, holes appear in socks even sooner.
By keeping your toenails trimmed, your sock will last much longer.

History of Socks

People started using animal fur wrapped around their foot and ankle as socks.
The first hand knitted socks came out of Egypt, as the tombs of Egypt indicate this.
Before people wore knitted socks, they had socks made of sewn cloth. The first mechanical knitted
socks appeared in the public about 1589, when the first knitting machine was invented.

Common Sock Fabrics, and their Characteristics

Silk
Smooth and strong, moisture absorbing.

Cotton
Moisture absorbing, breathable, dries slowly, provides no insulation when wet.

Wool
Breathes, provides warmth when wet, provides cushioning, has shape recovery, dries slowly.

Nylon
Lightweight, very strong, stretchable, non-absorbent, dries quickly.

Acrylic
Durable, soft, wooly feel.

Polyester
Lightweight, strong, resistant to stretch, mildew resistant.

Polypropylene
very durable, repels moisture.

Linen
Highly absorbent, feels cool to the touch, very strong, tends to break at constant creases.

Cashmere
Soft, silky, lightweight.

Mohair
Smooth, glossy, wiry.

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Darn a Sock Instructions, and helpful Darning Tips.