Ever had the a lucky pair of socks? What did you do when they got a pesky hole in the heel? Did you keep wearing them until they were more hole than sock? Did you throw them out?
Well you'll never have to part with favourite socks again after reading this!
You will need a needle, thread and 2" plastic ball (optional). I recommend you use button hole or quilting thread as they are thicker and stronger than regular thread so your repairs will last longer.
In these images I was fixing a hole in the heel of a slipper because it's easier to see.
On a pair of socks you'll need to put in more rows of stitching closer together to make a strong mend.
To begin turn the sock inside out. This will ensure that less of the stitches you're adding will be visible on the right side.
Next either put your hand or a plastic ball inside the sock to hold the hole open.
If you're using your hand to hold the hole open beware; you will most likely stab one of your fingers the first time you do this! Also don't start with a knot in the thread, but instead, a 1 1'2" tail. You don't want to put an uncomfortable lump in the bottom of those favourite lucky socks of yours.
Next you're going to start making lines of thread starting in solid fabric next to the hole by using the tip of the needle to grab strands in the back of the sock's fabric (see image 1.) Keep zigzagging parallel lines, as you go over he hole you'll just be picking up the sock on either side. Once you've covered the whole and a little beside it it should look like you've filled the hole with stripes of thread from the outside.
Now switch directions. Start working perpendicular to the first set of threads picking up from the back of the sock fabric but also weaving this thread through the stitch lines you just made (image 2.) Leave a tail like the one you started with (image 3.) When you're done the hole will be filled with a thread weave which is usually stronger than your sock was to begin with!
Now get darning!
