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| This is one of the socks I darned last night. Can you tell where the hole used to be? |
Does anyone do this? It seems like it’s such a lost art. I got a few pairs of nice boot socks, paid more than I ever pay on socks (with a Christmas gift card, so no biggie–it was meant for a treat) and was bummed to find that I wore holes in the toes within 3 months. These socks weren’t cheap, and I knew that if I didn’t repair them myself, I would just have to throw my new favorite socks away, because all of my new pairs were getting holes in them.
I invested in a sock darner from Lehmans.com, and went to work using a tapestry needle (if you are reading, Ma Teakettle, these are the needles that you shared the link to a few weeks back) and some DMC floss and went to darning my socks. I wanted to wait a few washes before I shared my findings, but I’m so happy to say that they are really holding up!
The woman on this video is darning wool socks with wool yarn, but for my less chunky/thinner socks, I just used the floss and it works fine. This opens up doors for me to make my own slippers if I can repair them–I always fight with my patterns to make them, have a heck of a time trying to get it right, then wear them out within 2-3 months. Anyway, now that I know how to darn socks, I can use this same method to extend the life of my slippers.
Just thought I’d share!
Kristi… that is so cool! Do you think it would work for cheaper athletic style socks? That is what my family mainly wears.
I would think so, Gracie, you would just use white floss. In the case of athletic socks, I would do it if they wear holes in them when they are still soft and in pretty good condition, like say, if you buy more expensive athletic socks. I would definitely darn them darn things!
That’s really cool! We just buy the cheap cotton anklets and they wear out so fast. I would love to get some nice wool socks (or better yet, learn how to knit and make them!)
OH me too, Michelle, I’m just a knitting dunce still, and crocheting doesn’t seem to do the trick for me as socks go. This skill makes it SO worth paying more for socks, I tell ya!
I can’t tell where you darned them at!
I would love to be able to knit wool socks for our family. We ocassionally buy wool socks and darning them is a skill I definately need.
Yep, knitting socks would be so much fun….if I could only learn to knit. I think I need lessons!
I love how my socks are coming out. You should give it a go, Sheree!
I know why manufacturers make products so they won’t last long. That’s so you’ll spend your money and buy their products more often than not. It’s the same with trying to use up the last bits of a tube of toothpaste – working so hard to squeeze out the last few bits – many give up and buy another tube. Same goes for bath soap, notice when you get near to end, the soap doesn’t lather up. They want you to toss it out and buy more soap. I have them all figued out! Bess – Mass.
I agree with you, Bess! This is one way we can “stick it to the store man” (ha ha, I know, cheesy–but true)!
But seriously, I LOVE finding ways to stretch what I’ve already got, and darning socks is just one of them!
Kristi,
I took this one step further and my family thinks I am nuts….
Take a look at my blog…. http://www.goldenangelsworks.blogspot.com
Thanks
Sorry Kristi… tried to email you but do not have that address.
I darned hubby’s sock yes.
The heart is darned on my sweatpants in the butt area. LOL
Oh–duh. It’s still early here, lol! Still love it!