How to darn a hole

Patching and mending expert Tom of Holland shows you how to fix a small hole in your knitting using a traditional stocking darn.

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Sarah Winsper

Published: March 12, 2024 at 2:59 pm

Don't throw away that moth-eaten baby cardigan or holey pair of socks – mend them! Whether you're a beginner knitter or an expert, basic repair skills are incredibly useful to have, and learning how to darn a hole is easier than you might think.

Find out how to look after your precious hand-knits and make sure they stay looking as good as new with the help of Tom van Deijnen, aka Tom of Holland, who created this tutorial for The Knitter magazine.

Tom is an expert in making and re-making knitted fabrics using traditional techniques. He was the creator of the Visible Mending Programme, which promoted the art of clothing repair and encouraged people to turn away from throwaway fashion and wear the clothes they already have for longer.

In this tutorial Tom shows you how to darn a hole using a traditional stocking darn, which is suitable for small holes and thinning areas around them.

Learn how to darn a hole

To darn a hole you will need a darning mushroom, although you can easily substitute this with an old light bulb, a boiled egg, or a ladle.

You also need a darning needle. These are very long compared to regular sewing needles (around 8cm/3in) and they have a large eye and a sharp point.

Make sure that the darning yarn you use is of a similar weight or slightly lighter than the yarn in which the item to be darned was knitted.

Tools you need to darn a hole

You will need:

Darning mushroom
Darning yarn
Darning needle

Step 1

If necessary, tidy up any loose threads around the hole. The area to be darned here is shown by my circle of mending thread.

How to darn a hole step 1

Step 2

A stocking darn is worked from the wrong side. Put the darning mushroom behind the hole and pull the fabric over it.

Starting at the lower left corner, pick up alternate purl bumps, working your way up, using a column of purl bumps ‘pointing up’. First put all the loops on the needle, before pulling it through. Leave a short tail.

How to darn a hole step 2

Step 3

Select the column immediately next to the previous one, with the purl bumps pointing down. Pick up alternate purl bumps, opposite the ones you did before.

Don’t pull through too far; instead, make sure to leave a small loop at the turning point. This prevents puckering.

How to darn a hole step 3

Step 4

Keep doing this until you reach the hole, gradually enlarging the area where you pick up the purl bumps.

When you get to the hole, pick up any live loops. Span the hole with the needle and pick up the purl bumps at the other side before pulling through the needle.

How to darn a hole step 4

Step 5

Continue until you reach the other side of the area to be darned. By making the area octagonal instead of square, any strain on the fabric will be evenly distributed.

How to darn a hole step 5

Step 6

Now start working across. This time, you only have to pick up the darning thread; again, picking up alternate strands.

There is no need to cover the whole area, just one or two strands outside the hole will suffice.

How to darn a hole step 6

Step 7

As before, pick up the opposite strands on the way back and leave a little loop at the turning point, thus creating a patch of fabric.

How to darn a hole step 7

Step 8

When finished, cut the thread, leaving a small tail. There is no need to weave in any ends or knot them.

How to darn a hole step 8

Step 9

On the right side, you will only see a small woven patch. With wash and wear, the darn will integrate even better with the fabric.

How to darn a hole step 9

Now you know how to darn a hole!

Don't be disheartened when you notice a hole in your favourite knitwear – with this simple mending technique you can repair your clothes and keep them looking as good as new. Or why not try visible mending, and use a bright, contrasting darning thread to make a real statement with your repair?

Try new mending techniques with Gathered

The traditional stocking darn isn't the only way to fix a hole. Discover woven darns, Swiss darning and more when you master the art of darning socks.

Digital Assistant, Simply Knitting and The Knitter

Sarah has been knitting for as long as she can remember, and spends her working days thinking about yarn as Digital Assistant for Simply Knitting and The Knitter. She’s also a knitting designer with a passion for making cosy accessories – you can check out her latest patterns on Ravelry. Sarah has more than 10 years’ experience in the publishing industry, starting as author of The Good Nutrition Guide, and working on magazines including 3D World and The Simple Things. When she’s not in the office you’ll usually find her snuggled up on the sofa with a cup of tea, a packet of biscuits and her latest craft project.