How to Fix a Hole in Your Sock

Carefully insert a lightbulb (or another round, smooth object) into the sock where the hole is. This will give you a smooth surface to work on.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

• Darning Needle
• Thread
• Scissors
• Lightbulb (or other smooth, round object)

1. Carefully insert a lightbulb (or another round, smooth object) into the sock where the hole is. This will give you a smooth surface to work on.
2. Thread a darning needle with thread that's similar in color and weight to the fabric of the sock. Don't knot the thread.
3. Trim the ragged threads around the edges of the sock hole, being careful not to make the hole any bigger.
4. Imagine a circle (or oval) drawn around the hole in the sock, about 1/4 inch (6 mm) larger than the hole on every side. With your needle and thread, stitch around this circle using a simple running stitch, your needle piercing the fabric down, then up, about every 1/8 inch (3 mm). Complete the circle and add five more stitches (see A). Clip off the remaining thread.
5. Rethread the darning needle with another length of thread (again, don't knot it). Starting at the top of the hole, just outside the circle you've stitched, make a series of vertical lines all the way across the hole. Where there is fabric, weave your needle through the fabric in a running stitch. Where there is no fabric, your thread will simply lie flat across the hole. Continue stitching parallel vertical lines all the way across the hole (see B).
6. When you've covered the hole with vertical lines, make horizontal stitches, weaving your needle under and over the vertical lines you just made (see C).
7. Once the entire area has been filled up, make another six or seven running stitches (simple up-and-down stitches) in the sock outside the darning area. This will hold the stitches in place.
8. Clip off the remaining thread.

Tips & Warnings

• The thread you usually use for sewing is probably too thin for this task. Look for embroidery cotton or wool-nylon thread, which is more likely to match the weight of the sock fabric.
• For easier darning, do this repair when the sock begins to show wear but hasn't developed a hole yet.
• Don't pull your stitches too tight or the fabric is likely to pucker.