MENDING: How to fix a hole in your sock

Mending a hole in your sock is easy (the hard bit it getting round to it)

You will need:

• Embroidery thread

• Needle

• Sock (or knitted item) with a hole in)

Step One:

If you are using a 6 strand embroidery thread, split in half (3 threads each) so make it easier to thread the needle and make the thread last longer. Thread your needle and tie a knot at the bottom. Put one hand into the sock (or inside of the jumper) behind the hole so the area is flat and the fabric is easy to sew. Put your needle at one corner of the hole and stitch vertical lines across the whole hole. Make sure the stitched are 0.5cm bigger than the size of the hole so the stitches are secure. The vertical stitches should be quite close together and try to get them al the same length. Once you’ve finished, tie a knot and secure the thread.

Step Two:

Weave the thread horizontally through the vertical stitch. Go over and under each vertical stitch to create a woven area. Each line should be the opposite pattern of over under / under over to the once above. This will create a strong and secure woven area covering the hole. Do this weaving over the entire hole so that it is fully covered and secure. Use the needle to arrange the stitching so they are close together. You shouldn’t be able to see any hole left! Don’t worry if this looks a bit messy, the main thing is that the hole is securely fixed and the more you do this technique, the neater you’ll get!

Step Three:

Check the woven area is secure in the knit of the sock (or jumper). Sometimes I do a few extra stitched around the edges of the darned area back into the main body of the sock to make sure it is secure (remember the hole broke the knit of the thread and so the thread around the hole are broken are may not be fully attached to the rest of the sock!)