Hole in One: How to Darn a Sock
You know when it’s about to happen. The floor feels a little bit colder, the fabric a little thinner. Then, all of a sudden... *pop* you’ve got a hole in one! Just because your favorite socks now have a hole doesn’t mean you need to replace them right away. Especially when you’re talking about one of your beloved novelty pairs! In fact, many times a simple hole only needs a couple of quick stitches to have it back to looking just like new.
Here’s how to darn a sock.
What You’ll Need
Darning a sock isn’t all that complicated, and you probably already have all the materials you’ll need to mend the hole. The two obvious supplies to find are a needle and some thread.
- For a more seamless look, try to find a thread that matches the thickness and color used in your socks.
- If you want to get creative with how you patch up the hole in a pair of crazy socks, you could pick some bold colors for a pop of contrast.
- It’s helpful to have a rounded item that you can shove into the sock in order to more easily see where to darn. You can use a tennis ball, a lightbulb, a maraca (why not make it fun?!), but definitely don’t use your foot!
Darning a Sock
If the hole is small, a few quick stitches will leave you with a full repair in no time!
- Start by filling out the sock with your tennis ball or another round item you have around the house. You should see the hole pretty clearly now that the material’s been stretched.
- Thread the needle, then stick the needle through the underside of the sock at the bottom of the hole so that it comes back outside the sock and is facing you. This will make sure the knot is inside the sock instead of sticking out.
- Sew the thread back and forth across the two sides of the hole in a zig-zag motion, almost like you’re painting, but with thread. Catch the loops of the thread with this weaving technique to make sure that you’re not leaving any tiny holes.
- Work your way from the bottom to the top, (left, right, left, right, etc.).
- Once you get the threaded needle to the top, you should be able to pull the thread and close the gap.
- Create a knot by looping the thread one more time over your stitches, then cut the remaining loose thread.
With smaller holes, this whole process probably won’t take you longer than 10 or 15 minutes, and once you’re done, no one would ever know! For larger holes, you’ll need to really work that weaving motion; covering a larger area takes more time but should still be successful.
Getting Creative
While it’s totally fine and dandy to sew up a hole so that you never knew it was there in the first place, mending a holey sock can also give you a chance to get really creative with colors and designs, and you know we’re all about a bold choice! In fact, the concept of visible mending — which is exactly what it sounds like — is actually a huge trend right now! Not only is it thrifty, it helps reduce waste and allows you to make something you already love even more unique. Some ideas:
- Why not make a pair of colorful, crazy socks even more fun with a contrasting stitch color that fills a hole?
- Have some leftover fabric from another sock that wasn’t so lucky? Play with patchwork and cover up the hole with it.
- Use multiple colors of thread to create patterns and embroidery that are both fashionable and functional.
Socks are meant to be accessories that let you express yourself. Don’t take darning the hole too seriously, and let your personality shine through!
Time for a Fresh Pair
While it’s great to have the ability to extend the life of a sock with a few quick stitches, sometimes your most well-loved pairs have reached the point where they’re beyond repair. If you’re looking at a sock, like, “How would I even go about fixing this?” then it’s probably time for a replacement!
If you wear through your socks rather quickly, sock bundles are a great option to consider. You can stock up on all sorts of different styles, and you’ll always have a fresh pair handy when you need it.
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