About Darning

If you've worn a hole through your favorite pair of toasty woolen socks or slippers, darning can make them wearable again.

Darning is a type of sewing that repairs holes that are not on the seam, or in the case of socks, not on the heel.

History

Darning is done by hand and is, to a degree, a lost art in today's throw-away society. Vintage sewing machines often have settings for darning socks and table linens, reflecting the importance of it in times when clothing was either homemade or very expensive. A mending basket full of stockings, yarn and darning needles was a common sight in homes of the past.

Darning is also a type of needlework craft, where techniques of marrying thread or yarn to existing materials creates a design.

Function

Darning of knitted socks and other knitted garments involves inserting a round, hard object, such as a darning egg, to create a solid working surface. The repair begins with a needle and matching yarn, which is sewn through the edges of the hole. Once these stitches are anchored, a criss-cross pattern is created over the hole, which creates a patch.

Darning linens require a similar technique, but the precision involved is more important, since linen fabrics have much smaller stitches and errors are easier to see.

Darning as an art uses weaving techniques similar to those used for repair.

Significance

Darning as creative needlework uses three main approaches: pattern darning, net darning and needle weaving. Pattern darning is simple embroidery darning, where stitches follow patterns that result in a geometric shape. It's used to decorate plain fabrics with color or designs. Net darning is stitching on a mesh fabric, which, in the end, resembles lace. Needle weaving is an embroidery technique, where unique patterns are sewn into a fabric's warp or woof threads.

Considerations

Darning requires certain tools, consisting mainly of darning needles and a firm surface on which to work. The surface can be a darning mushroom, a darning egg or a darning gourd.

The darning needle is longer than an ordinary needle used in regular handsewing. Its tip is rounded, and the eye is large to accommodate yarn of all sizes.

Darning mushrooms are made of wood and have a mushroom shape. The top of the mushroom is the working surface, and the stalk serves as a handle.

Darning eggs are egg-shaped objects made of wood or stone. They're placed inside the sock and pressed up against the hole. This helps maintain the shape of the fabric in addition to providing a work surface. Many have handles attached.

Darning gourds are dried-out gourds that also have a long neck that can serve as a handle. Socks are stretched over the top end of it.

Prevention/Solution

People have used light bulbs as replacements for darning eggs and darning mushrooms. This should be avoided, as the glass may break, causing injury to you and the destruction of your project.

Thimbles will prevent injury to your fingers.

Potential

If you like vintage sweaters made of cashmere or mohair, you might have noticed that they often have worn areas at the elbows. With practice, you can restore their wearability with darning.

Resources

• Darning Eggs and Mushrooms
• Darning Needles