How to Use a Darning Mushroom

Socks, gloves and sweaters are prone to getting holes. Use a darning mushroom to repair holes in knitted items and prolong the life and usefulness of your clothing. Darning mushrooms can be purchased at craft and fabric stores. Find antique wood darning mushrooms at antique stores and on the Internet.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Tapestry needle
• Yarn or darning thread
• Scissors
• Darning mushroom

1. Slide the darning mushroom into the item of clothing that has the hole. Center the hole on the top of the mushroom head.

2. Thread a tapestry needle with matching yarn or darning thread. Insert the needle into a solid area of the clothing and sew several rows into the unaffected area.

3. Sew two to three running stitches the length of the hole, just below it. Continue to sew running stitches through the hole all the way from the bottom to the top.

4. Rotate the darning mushroom 90 degrees. Weave the thread through the running stitches until the entire hole is filled in. Work each line of weaving 1/4 inch or so into the side of the hole.

5. Turn the hole again 90 degrees. Weave the darning thread into the patch over the hole in the same manner as in Step Four until the entire area is patched.

6. Work the end of the darning thread into to the area surrounding the patched hole. Tie off the end and snip the excess yarn with a pair of scissors. Your knitted garment is ready to wear again.