How to darn a sock by hand

Build a new woven surface over a hole with simple warp and weft threads.

What you need

Darning mushroom, wool yarn, blunt needle. Keep a ruler, scissors, and scrap material nearby. Use all equipment according to its manufacturer instructions.

Make it step by step

1. Wash and dry the sock, then stretch the damaged area over a darning mushroom without stretching the knit.
2. Anchor several parallel yarn strands in sound fabric beyond the hole to form a warp.
3. Weave a needle over and under the warp across the hole; reverse the sequence on every return row.
4. Work until the hole is covered and weave ends through sound fabric. Avoid knots against the foot.

Check your work

Look for even tension, secure thread ends, and clean edges. If the sample puckers or pulls out of shape, loosen the tension and test on scrap before continuing.

Common questions