Can you repair a sock

Short answer: Yes, a small hole in a sock can be darned with needle and thread. If the hole is bigger than a two-krone coin, or the fabric around it is worn thin, the repair rarely lasts. The sooner you act, the better the chance.

Small holes can be darned

Needle and thread close a hole under a centimetre. Sew small stitches around the hole and across it, so the thread forms a dense mesh. Use a thread close to the colour of the sock. If it is underwear that has gone, see bamboo underwear for women once repair no longer pays.

Thin fabric around the hole will not hold

A repair in thin fabric tears open beside itself. The hole is closed, but the thread pulls at the fabric around it, and that gives way somewhere else. Then the work is wasted. Look at the fabric around the hole before you reach for the needle. If you need new pairs, there are the most popular pieces from Copenhagen Bamboo.

Repair quickly

A hole in knit grows every time the sock is worn. The stitches run, and a small hole soon turns large. That is why it pays to darn it at once instead of waiting a week. If you need more socks and other clothing, take a look at the full range for women.

Look for holes before washing

Go through the socks before they go in the wash. Washing can make a small hole larger, because the stitches pull when the fabric moves in the machine. Set aside the socks that need repair and take them when you have a quiet moment. That way small things do not become big problems.

How to darn a hole

Stretch the fabric lightly over something round, such as a small bowl, so the hole lies open. Sew from the edge of the thin fabric across the hole and back again. Keep the tension of the thread even, so the fabric does not bunch up. It takes no practice, only patience and a little light to sew by.

Check the repair after the first wash

After one wash you can see whether the repair holds. If the threads still sit tight and the fabric beside them is intact, you can keep wearing the sock. If the fabric starts to pull or thin out, there is nothing more to gain. Then it is time to sort it out.

Size decides the choice

The rule of thumb is simple. Under a centimetre, you can darn the hole. If it is bigger than a two-krone coin, the repair rarely lasts. Between the two you have to judge the fabric around it. If it is thick and whole, you can try. If it is thin, you save the effort.

Sort it out when it does not pay

Not everything has to be saved. If both the hole and the fabric around it are worn, the sock has reached its end. You can use it as a cloth or hand it in at a textile collection. It is better to stop an attempt that will not hold anyway than to wear a repair that splits midday.

Frequently asked questions

Can you repair a sock

Yes, if the hole is small. A hole under a centimetre can be darned with needle and thread and usually holds well as long as the fabric beside it is still sound.

When does it not pay

When the fabric around the hole is worn thin. The repair holds, but the fabric next to it tears open shortly after, and the effort is wasted.

Why should you repair quickly

Because a hole in a knitted fabric grows. The stitches run further with every wear, and a small hole soon turns into a large one.