Sharing knitting repair skills, by DIY Clothing Repairs on YouTube. 1 min 51 s.
- Video length
- 1 min 51 s
- Time to do it
- 20 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Turn the jumper inside out and lay the hole flat over a darning mushroom, hoop or a clean glass. This holds the fabric taut and keeps the hole open.
Trim any loose, frayed threads around the hole with small scissors. Leave short ends that you can weave in later.
Thread a length of matching yarn through the blunt needle. Use a single strand for thin knits and two strands for chunky ones.
Anchor the yarn on the inside of the jumper a few centimetres from the hole. Make two small stitches through the back of the knit, not through the hole.
Work rows of straight stitches across the hole, from one solid edge to the other. Keep the stitches close and even, like the knit rows around them.
Turn the work and weave the needle over and under those first stitches, crossing the hole in the other direction. This builds a woven patch.
Check the tension as you go. The patch should sit flat and stretch a little with the jumper, not pull tight or pucker.
Finish on the inside with two small anchor stitches, then weave the yarn end into the knit for about 2 cm. Trim the excess.
Press the repair gently under a damp cloth with a cool iron. Do not press hard on the darned area.
Tips and common mistakes
Match the yarn weight to the jumper, because thick yarn on a fine knit makes a lumpy patch.
Keep the woven patch slightly smaller than the hole so the edges pull together and hide the repair.
Do not knot the yarn, as knots rub and work loose in the wash.
Wash the jumper by hand or on a wool cycle after repair to protect the new stitches.
Questions
Can I darn a hole without a darning mushroom?
Yes. A clean glass, a small jar or an embroidery hoop works just as well to hold the fabric taut while you stitch.
What if the hole is very large?
For holes wider than about 3 cm, place a small piece of matching knit fabric behind the hole first and darn over it for extra support.
Will the repair show?
A close colour match and even stitches make it hard to spot. A visible darn in a contrast colour is also a common style choice.
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.
