How to Darn Socks?
Does your pair of socks have a hole? Initially, it was considered old-fashioned to go for darn socks but now expressing yourself by doing handiwork is more in fashion.
By fixing the darn areas, you can create a new sole full style, but make sure the material you are using to darn a sock should be of the same material and thickness. Doing this will make the result smooth and distinct.
Remember that you do not need certification in fiber arts to create some beautiful darn socks. Just fill the gaps and you are done.
What do you need to initiate darn socks?
Yarns
A regular yarn or 2-ply/3-ply yarn works best on socks. These are generally wool nylon blends. But you can also use 100% wool or cotton yarn for darn socks. But make sure the yarn is not too bulky, and the socks should be comfortable to wear after knitting with the yarn.
Needles
Needles for darning differ from regular needles because they have a larger eye and a blunt tip. You can also use yarn needles or tapestry needles for darn socks, but it will be better to use darning needles as they will give the perfect finish to your socks. If you talk about the size, you should always choose a long, thin needle for darning the socks.
Darning mushroom/eggs
Darning mushrooms/eggs are very important for sewing a sock. With the help of these mushrooms/eggs, you can easily see the hole in your socks and secure it properly with a needle and thread. If you do not have these mushrooms/eggs, you can get them from a craft store or use a similar alternative, depending on the need.
Steps you should follow to darn socks
To properly darn a sock, you should follow the below-mentioned steps:
- Select thread/yarn
Depending on the colour of your socks, you need to pick a thread similar in thickness and colour. To be more stylish, you can choose a different colour which is in contrast and can make your darn socks look stylish. For example – you can choose a light colour for horizontal stitching and dark colour for the vertical seam. And if you are not a foot model, you can go for any colour as your feet will be covered.
- Thread the needle
You can use your regular needle to darn the socks. The needle must be a thread with one or two strands of thread, depending on the socks’ material. After putting the thread in the needle, you have to secure the end of the thread. Now you need to start sewing from the sock inside to keep the secured part of the thread inside.
- Keep the socks over the darning egg/mushroom
Darning eggs are oval-shaped wooden pieces that help push the damaged area out so you can see where the hole is. These eggs can be purchased from the craft store.
But if you do not want to buy these eggs, you can use anything round like a tennis ball or any other round object at home. You can also use another hand, but it will make darning a little difficult.
- Trim ragged edges
You need to use a pair of scissors to remove the unwanted flyaway or threads which are coming out of the hole. Make sure you do not cut unnecessary areas and make the socks hole even larger.
- Sew the socks
Now you have to make a huge running stitch on the side of the hole. This running stitch will be the most basic stitch in the sock. It requires running the thread and needle from the inside of the socks and taking it out. It makes a stitch to the right side; similarly, you have to put your sewing needle up and out of the socks repeatedly.
You can sew a running stitch for some rows above and then on either side of the socks hole. It will reinforce the sewing you are doing to close the socks hole, and now you need to support the thread near the spot. It should be comparatively thin.
- Repeat stitches
Now you must repeat the stitches over the hole and go back and forth until the hole is blocked with some parallel stitches.
- Perpendicular stitches to the parallel stitches
To make the hole more secure, you can also sew some perpendicular stitches to the original parallel stitches. It will reinforce the patch which you have created out of the thread. Now you have to weave the stitches in and out of the initial stitches.
Wrap Up
Darn socks are easy to make and are in fashion. You can do so by getting some matching or contrast thread and a sewing needle. Grab old pairs of damaged socks and show your creativity by securing the holes in your socks with some colourful threads and yarns and creating beautiful patterns to impress your friends. Darning a sock is also a wonderful activity that can keep your kids engaged.
