My Experiments in Sock Darning

Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of sock darning. I bought a bunch of smartwool brand socks about 10 years ago now all at once and have been wearing them pretty much constantly during the colder months ever since (not sponsored, I just really like these socks). Now, unsurprisingly, they’re all getting holes at the same time!

At first I thought about just replacing them. I mean, I know that one of the best ways to reduce the environmental impact of your wardrobe is to buy less, but after 10 years, I don’t think anyone would call me frivolous for replacing them!

Also, while I could probably scrounge up the money, replacing all of them at once would be kind of pricy. And since I’ve started knitting, crocheting, and weaving I have a bunch of yarn odds and ends laying around.

But going DIY and experimenting with sock darning seemed way more fun! So, instead of buying new socks, I ordered a darning mushroom from Bookhou and have been spending some of my free time making repairs.

So far, I’ve discovered that I like using sock weight wool best when sock darning. It’s thick enough that the work goes quickly, but not too bulky. While not ideal, the heavier, worsted weight Malabrigo Rios I’m using here works just fine on the thicker socks.

I’ve also found that once I start mending, my pile magically grows. My friends and family seem to find other socks for me to practice my sock darning skills on all the time. The sock in this photo is actually my sisters!

Anyway, if you’re on the fence about learning how to darn your socks, I’d highly recommend it. I’ve been mostly exploring based on random things I’ve found on the web, but I’ve been tempted in the past by Wren Bird Arts darning workshops. I’ve also been looking at a few virtual craft classes on various platforms. Plus, I found some useful tips in Mend It, Wear It, Love It! By Zoe Edwards.

Let me know if you have any fave darning/mending resources in the comments or on Instagram!