Darning a cable knit sweater #darning #visiblemending #repair #workinprogress #reducewaste, by Collingwood Norris on YouTube. 2 min 22 s.
- Video length
- 2 min 22 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Turn the sweater inside out and stretch the hole over a darning mushroom or a smooth ball. The damaged area should sit flat and only slightly taut, so the stitches do not pull out of shape.
Thread a blunt tapestry needle with wool yarn close to the sweater colour. Use one strand for fine knits and two for chunky cable knits. Do not tie a knot in the end.
Anchor the yarn with a few small stitches in the solid knitting just outside the hole on one side. Leave a short tail hanging to weave in at the end.
Work straight stitches across the hole from one firm edge to the other, following the direction of the knit columns. Keep each stitch a little loose so the patch can stretch.
Fill the gap with parallel stitches spaced about 3 to 5 mm apart. Cover the whole opening and run a few millimetres onto the undamaged knit on every side.
Turn the work 90 degrees and weave a second set of stitches over and under the first, like a small woven square. This crossing layer is what makes the repair strong.
On a cable knit, keep the woven patch narrower than the cable so the raised pattern stays readable. Do not pull the crossing threads tight or the cable will pucker.
Run the needle to the inside and weave the tail through the back of the stitches for 2 to 3 cm, then trim it. Repeat with the starting tail.
Ease the sweater back into shape and press the patch gently under a damp cloth. Let it dry flat rather than hanging it up wet.
Tips and common mistakes
Match the yarn weight to the sweater, because thin sock yarn on chunky wool can slip back through the stitches.
Leave a little slack in the woven threads, since a tight darn puckers the knit and feels stiff when worn.
A blunt tapestry needle slides between stitches instead of splitting them, which keeps the repair neat.
Keep the needle and scissors away from your lap and cut away from your body, and store them point down when you stop.
Questions
What yarn should I use to darn a wool sweater?
Use pure wool yarn in a similar thickness to the sweater. Wool fibres grip each other slightly as the patch is worn, which helps it hold and blend in. Acrylic yarn works but tends to sit flatter and shinier.
Can I darn a cable knit sweater on a sewing machine?
It is possible but not ideal. A machine darn is flat and stiff, and it flattens the raised cable. Hand darning follows the knit and keeps the stretch.
Will the darn be obvious?
It depends on your yarn. Use matching wool for a patch that blends in, or a contrast colour if you want visible mending as a feature.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
