How to darn a hole in a jumper or sock
Fill a small hole in knitwear with a woven patch of yarn. It's quick, saves a favourite jumper, and can be invisible or a deliberate splash of colour.
- Time
- 30 to 60 minutes
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Cost
- Low cost
- Steps
- 6
- Checked
What you’ll need
- Yarn of similar weight to the jumper (or a contrast colour) Search Amazon for darning wool
- Darning or tapestry needle Search Amazon for darning needle
- Darning mushroom (or a jar, tennis ball or orange) Search Amazon for darning mushroom
- Elastic band
- Small scissors
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Safety first
- Check the care label: wool darns on machine-washable jumpers may felt if you use non-washable wool.
Step by step
-
Step 1: Tidy the hole
Snip off any loose, frayed bits so you have a neat area to work on. Don't cut into good stitches.
Next: step 2 -
Step 2: Stretch over a mushroom
Put the darning mushroom (or a round, hard object) inside the garment under the hole. Smooth the fabric over it and hold it with an elastic band, without stretching it out of shape.
Next: step 3 -
Step 3: Stitch a border
Thread the needle with a single strand. Working into the sound fabric about 1 cm around the hole, sew a ring of small running stitches. This stops the hole growing.
Next: step 4 -
Step 4: Lay the vertical threads
Starting in good fabric at one side, take the yarn across the hole from top to bottom, pick up a small stitch in the fabric, turn, and come back. Lay close, parallel lines across the whole hole, leaving small loops at the turns so it doesn't pull tight.
Next: step 5 -
Step 5: Weave across
Now work at right angles: weave the needle over and under the vertical threads, alternating on each row like basket weaving. Push the rows close together until the hole is filled.
Next: step 6 -
Step 6: Finish
Weave the tail into the back of the darn for a few centimetres and trim. Don't knot it.
Tips
- Darn thin patches before they become holes: it's much easier.
- Keep tension loose so the darn stays stretchy and doesn't pucker.
Questions people ask
Can I darn with sewing thread?
For fine knits, yes, but yarn similar to the original gives a softer, longer-lasting repair.
What about moth holes?
Darn them the same way, and freeze or wash the garment first to deal with any larvae.
Sources
Checked 9 October 2026. We wrote this guide in our own words, using:
- Oxfam: How to darn a hole in your clothes (oxfam.org.uk)
- Gathered: How to darn a hole (gathered.how)
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Printed from howtoguides.uk/guides/how-to-darn-a-hole-in-a-jumper/ · Checked 9 October 2026 · General information only. For gas, electrics, structural work, medical, legal or money decisions, use a qualified professional.