Rhymes with Yarn
So I have a confession. I’ve been playing a game of chicken with the laundry. I somehow decided it would be much more efficient to wait to wash knitted socks until I had a whole load full. Have you looked at a sock lately? Even for the big footed among us, they’re pretty small. It takes a lot of socks to fill one washing machine up. Still, I’ve knit a lot of socks, so I’m getting close to that point. But, in working my way down to the bottom of the basket of socks in the closet, I’ve come across some rather elderly socks. Some socks that are in need of love. Like these.
My notes indicate I finished these bad boys in October of 2008. For those counting along at home, that’s more than 4 years ago. That’s back when I still didn’t know why the heck my stitches were always twisted when I worked in the round (and didn’t care). The thought of the blog and the patterns and the books hadn’t yet popped into my head. It’s perfectly reasonable that they might need a bit of attention. A few hours with a darning egg, a blunt needle, and some back up yarn, and they look like this.
Is it the most riveting fiber work in the world? Nope, not at all. Is it kind of soothing in a sort of meditative way? Oddly, yeah. But really, if it means I’ll get another 4 years out of these, it was worth the two hours I spent on it. I’ve got another pair or two that are going to get the same treatment in the next few days.
What about you guys, do you ever darn your socks? Any other knitwear repairs in your future?
Edit to add a link to a good video resource over on Knit Picks site. It shows several techniques you may want to have in your arsenal!
I’m getting to the point where I’m going to have to start darning some of my older socks. I’m nervous because I’ve never done it before. I only knit my first pair in 2009, so none have worn out on me before.
Don’t be nervous, it’s boring but not hard. And do it when the yarn is just thin, rather than waiting for it to be gone. It’s much easier to duplicate stitch over a thin patch than to make all new fabric!
I’m planning on darning a sweater before too long, but all my socks are still in good shape.
I have never darned before, but I have a pair of socks that needs it. Can you share a tutorial for this method that you used?
If you do it before there is a hole, you just duplicate stitch (there are oodles of videos for that on you tube if you don’t know how). If you do have a hole, this is a good way to handle it!
Excellent post, and even more excellent timing! I spent the last couple days fixing socks. One pair received a darning, the other, on one sock, had reconstructive surgery around the ball of the foot where there was a hole. I cut out about an inch of thin area and reknit, then grafted the rest of the sock and toe area. It was so boring in the most soothing way possible
Hmmm….you are making me wonder if my stitches are twisted when I knit in the round. I’m not quite sure…but why would they be and how does one prevent it?
This will show you the difference between twisted and regular stitches if you want to take a look and double check!
I don’t have socks old enough to darn yet, so I guess I will learn if I’m a “throw it out and make new ones” or “darn it” type of girl!
Generations of thrifty ancestors were not wrong. Darning eggs, while not necessary, may make the task easier. Your mom or grandmother may still have a trusty darning egg in a sewing basket or even a collection of darning eggs. They come in a variety of sizes, shapes and materials from wood to glass to fancy ones with silver handles. You can find them at flea markets, estate sales and certainly in Amish communities in the sewing section of charming general stores. They are a great reminded of how saving and fixing useful objects honors the one who made something of value.
I too find it soothing to darn sox. I try to catch them before there is a hole, but sometimes I miss it. My knit nite girls always check it out. They want to learn to knit sox this year. Two of us are sock kniters. Need to find an egg.
There are lots of cute ones on etsy, and you can often find them at antique stores. Or, if you’re in a pinch and don’t want to buy anything, lots of household things will work. I’ve used a lightbulb before (one of the old fashioned ones, not a cfl one) and a vitamin bottle with good results.
I always aim to darn or otherwise repair my handknit socks. But if I don’t find the worn spot until it is a big hole it is usually “Oh Darn” while holding and releasing the sock into the trash.