How to Darn a Sock using a ball of paper

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

hand needle, sock,thread,balled up wad of paper, scissors, thimble (optional)

Step 1

materials

A small hole in a sock is fun to repair. It's similar to a "weaving-a-basket technique." First, the type of fabric of the sock should be considered in choosing a needle. If its a nylon sock you probably would like to use a small round eyed needle. If the sock is of thick cotton then try using a larger needle with the elongated eye. Double thread the needle and loop a knot at the end. Turn the sock on the wrong side. Ball up some paper tightly and stuff the sock where the tear is located.
Step 2

stitched border around the tear

The sock should be held applying a slight squeeze to the part immediately beneath the balled up paper in order to do the project. Whatever the shape of the tear you will begin sewing by gently piercing the fabric with the needle close to the tear. Glide the needle about 1/8 inch under the fabric and then let the needle surface by letting the tip of the needle come up and draw the needle and thread through the fabric. About another 1/8 inch forward bring the needle under the fabric and glide the needle below for about 1/8 inch and then pierce the fabric with the needle and bring the needle and thread to the surface again. Keep repeating this under and over the fabric step until you have gone completely around the hole like a frame or border.
Step 3

long stitches over the hole in the sock

Here is where you start the "weaving-the-basket" type technique. Now, I am going to start sewing at the edge of a border. If you think of the hole as a globe then I am going to start beyond the equator to the South Pole. There I'm going to insert the needle close to the outside of the border and guide it straight to the opposite side and let the needle surface close to the outer edge of the border. This time the needle stays on top of the fabric as I return it to the original site and pierce the needle close to that stitch. What I am doing is making horizontal long stitches from the South Pole (or bottom of hole) making sure that I cover the entire hole and end my long stitches on the outer border of the North Pole.
Step 4

threads used in a crisscross type pattern

Next, you will use the same long stitches but this time you will begin on the outside of a border and start sewing in a vertical direction. Start by dipping the needle beneath and then over the horizontal threads. This will make for a crisscross type pattern as you weave the needle under and over the horizontal stitches that you have already completed. I have used red thread for demonstration purposes. The pattern does not have to be perfect. But, you will know you have done a good job when you turn the sock to the right side and you don't see any light. See, I told you that this is a fun project!