How to Fray Yarn

Use frayed yarn threads to repair a damaged sweater.

Finding thread that's an exact match to a sweater may be difficult, but you can fray yarn taken from an unseen part of the sweater and use one of the threads to repair small tears or holes. Use the yarn thread to sew on buttons or do a decorative stitch. Yarn is categorized by the number of threads it contains. For example, three-ply yarn is composed of three separate threads twisted together to make a strand. Each strand is twisted either left or right, but all the threads in the strand will be twisted in the same direction.

Things You'll Need

• Embroidery needle

Instructions

Unravel the Yarn

1. Examine the end of the yarn strand. Right twist yarn will have diagonal strands from the bottom left to the upper right. Left strand twist will have diagonal strands from the bottom left to the upper right.

2. Use your thumb and forefinger to hold the yarn 1/4 inch away from the cut end. Rub the yarn in the opposite direction of the twist to loosen the threads.

3. Use the embroidery needles to separate the threads, being careful to avoid damaging them. Move further up the yarn strand until you have the length of frayed yarn you need.

References

• "Reader's Digest Complete Guide to Needlepoint"; Reader's Digest Editors; 1980

Resources

• "Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book"; Vogue Knitting Magazine Editors; 2002