Sock Darning How-To

As a Certified B Corporation®, we try to be as zero-waste as possible! We use recycled materials in all of our products, buy eco-friendly office supplies and are even certified as an official sustainable company by the Sustainability at Work program here in Portland, Oregon.

In addition, we always encourage the recycling and reusing of our products as much as possible, in an effort to reduce landfill waste. One of the ways you can help eliminate waste (and preserve your beloved Solmate Socks) is by darning old socks with holes vs. throwing them away.

Want to try but not sure how to get started? Check out our easy step-by-step process below! We highly encourage you to try it out and see what you think. You might discover a hidden talent or a love for upcycling fashion. Small changes made to your everyday lifestyle can have a HUGE impact on our blessed planet Earth. Happy Crafting!

What You'll Need

• Scissors
• Darning tool
• Yarn
• Needle
• Rubber band
• Well-loved sock

Step 1

Stretch and smooth the sock over a concave surface. IF you do not have a proper sock darning mushroom, you can improvise with a kitchen spoon, ladle, golf ball or whiffle ball...even the bottom of a glass would work. Use a rubber band to keep the sock smooth and stable as you work.

Step 2

Create a running stitch around the circumference of the hole, 1/4" away from the edge (click here to see how to create a running stitch). Slightly pull in like a drawstring purse to counteract the stretch incurred from the hole. Snip off excess fray. 

Step 3

Using the circumference of the running stitch as your guide, create long stitches back and forth from one side of the circle to the other.

Step 4

Reinforce any weak spots with random running stitches until it feels substantial.

Step 5

Again, using the circumference of the running stitch as your guide, create stitches back and forth across the hole, perpendicular to the first set of stitches you created. While doing this, go in-and-out every other stitch like a basket weave.

Step 6

Repeat process until hole is completely darned.

Step 7

Click here to see how to start and end your weaving without a knot.