How to stitch a small hole in knit

Short answer: A small hole in knitwear is closed from the inside with small stitches that gather the loops without pulling the fabric out of shape. It takes about ten minutes, and done properly the repair lasts through many washes.

Catch the loops first

Turn the garment inside out and find the open loops around the hole. Gather them gently with the needle before you start sewing, so they do not run further while you work. A bright lamp helps you see each loop clearly. This applies to bamboo joggers for women as well as thinner knitwear.

What you need

You need a thin sewing needle, ordinary thread in the same colour as the garment and small scissors. A needle with a rounded tip slides between the loops more easily without splitting the yarn. If you lack the exact colour, choose a slightly darker shade, as it blends into the fabric better than a lighter one.

Sew in a circle around the hole

Go around the hole rather than straight across it, so the fabric is not pulled into a fold. Take small stitches through each open loop and pull the thread only enough to close the hole. The method also works on bamboo panties, where the fabric is thin and quickly twists if you pull too hard.

Do not pull too hard

The most common mistake is pulling the thread too tight. The hole closes, but the fabric around it puckers, and you feel it when you wear the garment. Stretch the fabric gently between your fingers as you go. If the repair gives the same way as the rest of the knit, the tension is right.

Secure both ends well

Finish with three or four stitches on top of each other on the inside, so the thread does not unravel in the wash. Run the thread end a few centimetres between the loops before cutting it. This applies to any repair on clothes from the most popular for women that you want to last.

Wash after the repair

Wash the repaired garment on a gentle cycle, preferably inside out the first few times. Do not wring it, and let it dry flat or on a hanger. Check the repair after the first wash. If a loop has come loose, a few extra stitches are quick to add while the hole is still small.

When to leave it

If the hole is bigger than a fingernail, or it sits in a seam that takes a lot of strain, a tailor may be the better choice. The same goes if the fabric around the hole is already worn thin. A small repair rarely holds there, because the fabric beside it soon gives way.

Close small holes quickly

A small hole grows every time the garment is worn and washed. The sooner you close it, the smaller and less visible the repair. Keep a needle and a few thread colours in a fixed place, so you can do the job at once instead of putting the garment aside and forgetting it.

Frequently asked questions

What thread should you use

Ordinary sewing thread in the same colour, ideally a little thinner than the fabric's own yarn, so the repair does not feel thick or stiff.

Can you see the repair

On the inside yes, on the outside hardly at all if the stitches are small and the thread matches the fabric.

How long does it last

Many years, if the thread is secured properly at both ends and the garment is washed gently afterwards.