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How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment

Introduction

Darn it! You've got a hole. Not to worry—fixing a hole in a knitted garment is easy. It just requires a needle, some thread, and a bit of patience.

Follow this step-by-step guide for basic instructions on darning. This process can be applied to any knitted garment from socks to sweaters.

What you need

  1. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment, How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 1, image 1 of 2 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment, How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 1, image 2 of 2

    • Inspect the damage. Clean any dirt or debris from the area.

    • Tie off any loose threads from the hole.

    Edit

  2. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 2, image 1 of 2 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 2, image 2 of 2

    • Cut a length of thread.

    • We're using contrasting thread in our guide so that you can see it. However, when it comes time for your repair, you'll want to use thread that matches the color of your garment's fabric so that your stitching is less visible.

    Edit

  3. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 3, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 3, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 3, image 3 of 3

    • Insert one end of the thread through the eye of the needle.

    Edit

  4. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 4, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 4, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 4, image 3 of 3

    • Align the two ends of the thread.

    • Your needle should be threaded between these two ends.

    • Tie the ends off in an overhand knot.

    • Tie a second overhand knot to make the knot in the thread larger.

    Edit

  5. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 5, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 5, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 5, image 3 of 3

    • Starting about a centimeter to the side of the hole, and half a centimeter below, insert the needle from the back of the garment.

    • You should only push the needle through one layer of the garment as you work. If you go through both layers, you will sew the garment shut.

    Edit

  6. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 6, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 6, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 6, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the needle through to the front of the garment until the thread is taut and the knot catches in the back.

    • Take a single straight stitch going into a single layer of fabric and coming back up one row of the knit closer to the hole.

    Edit

  7. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 7, image 1 of 2 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 7, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the needle through until the thread is taut, but not scrunching or gathering the fabric.

    Edit

  8. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 8, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 8, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 8, image 3 of 3

    • Take another straight stitch towards the hole, going in and out of a single layer of the garment, passing the thread under a single row of the knit.

    • Try to work perpendicular to the grain of the knit, creating a straight row of stitches.

    • Pull the needle through until the thread is taut, but not pulling or scrunching the fabric.

    Edit

  9. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 9, image 1 of 1

    • Continue working across the hole taking stitches under every other row of the knit.

    • This photo illustrates how the needle should go under every other row of stitches. If you are new to sewing, it is better to take one stitch at a time.

    • When you get about a centimeter past the hole, pull the needle through until the thread is taut, but not gathering or scrunching the fabric.

    Edit

  11. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 10, image 1 of 2 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 10, image 2 of 2

    • Turn the needle around and take a stitch going the opposite direction (towards where you started) just above your last row of stitches.

    Edit

  12. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 11, image 1 of 2 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 11, image 2 of 2

    • Pull the thread through until it is taut.

    • You should see the thread loop around to go the other direction.

    Edit

  13. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 12, image 1 of 2 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 12, image 2 of 2

    • Stitch this second row the same way you did the first, but in the opposite direction. This time, go under the rows of knit you previously went over, and vice versa.

    • When you reach the end of this second row, turn around and continue stitching in the previous direction. Stitch rows back and forth until you have worked about a centimeter past the hole.

    • Don't forget to pull the thread taut after each stitch. If you are new to sewing, take your time, slowly completing each stitch.

    Edit

  14. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 13, image 1 of 2 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 13, image 2 of 2

    • When you have finished sewing rows, take the needle and insert it across the top corner of your stitching at a forty-five degree angle, taking a stitch.

    • As you begin to pull the needle through you will see a loop form. Catch the loop with your finger.

    • Do not pull the thread taut yet.

    Edit

  15. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 14, image 1 of 2 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 14, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the needle into the loop.

    • Pull the needle through the loop.

    Edit

  16. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 15, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 15, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 15, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the thread taut, closing the loop and creating a knot.

    Edit

  17. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 16, image 1 of 2 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 16, image 2 of 2

    • Insert the needle at a forty-five degree angle to your previous stitching, taking the needle under one row of the knit.

    • You will begin to stitch over your previous stitches at a forty-five degree angle, just as before. Remember to only stitch through one layer of the garment.

    Edit

  18. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 17, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 17, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 17, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the needle through until the thread is taut.

    Edit

  19. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 18, image 1 of 2 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 18, image 2 of 2

    • Take another stitch crossing your previous stitching at forty-five degrees.

    • Pull the needle through until the thread is taut.

    • Continue stitching in this manner until you come to the edge of your previous rows of stitching.

    Edit

  20. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 19, image 1 of 2 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 19, image 2 of 2

    • When you come to the edge of your stitches, turn the needle around and begin stitching another line of stitches at a forty-five degree angle alongside the line you just made.

    Edit

  21. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 20, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 20, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 20, image 3 of 3

    • Continue stitching, alternating under and over the rows of knit.

    • Don't forget to pull the thread taut after each stitch.

    Edit

  22. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 21, image 1 of 1

    • When you have covered all your rows of stitching with lines of stitching at forty-five degrees, check your work to make sure that the fabric is not pulling or gathered anywhere.

    • If you have a pull or gather, you can flatten it with your finger, allowing the thread to loosen.

    Edit

  23. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 22, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 22, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 22, image 3 of 3

    • Drive the needle into the bottom corner of your stitching.

    • Pull the needle through to the backside (inside) of the garment.

    Edit

  24. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 23, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 23, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 23, image 3 of 3

    • On the backside, take a small stitch very close to where the needle came through.

    • Slowly pull the needle through the fabric, creating a loop.

    • Catch the loop in your fingers.

    • Put the needle through the loop.

    Edit

  25. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 24, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 24, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 24, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the needle through the loop, creating a knot.

    • Pull the thread taut, tightening the knot.

    Edit

  26. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 25, image 1 of 2 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 25, image 2 of 2

    • Drive the needle under the knot you just created, catching a small bit of the garment in the stitch.

    • Slowly pull the needle through, creating another loop.

    • Put the needle through the loop.

    Edit

  27. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 26, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 26, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 26, image 3 of 3

    • Pull the needle through the loop creating a knot.

    • Pull the thread taut, creating a knot on top of the knot you previously made.

    Edit

  28. How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 27, image 1 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 27, image 2 of 3 How to Darn a Hole in a Knitted Garment: step 27, image 3 of 3

    • Clip the dangling threads and admire your handiwork.

    • This image illustrates how the darning will look when you use matching thread.

    Edit
Finish Line

21 other people completed this guide.

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Brittany McCrigler

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4 Comments

genuinely, thank you for the tutorial. appreciate it

justheretocomment - Reply

A nicely done and illustrated set of instructions. I have been going the wrong way to mend. This will help me save a sweater I really like.

J Pendowski - Reply

Thank you! Finally fixed a sweater I have had in back of my closet for months and it looks great. Your instructions were perfect!

Carla Pratt - Reply

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