How to darn a hole (woven darn)
The classic grid of rows and columns.
Step by step
- Stretch the item over the mushroom or into a hoop, with the hole centred.
- Stitch round the hole in sound fabric to make a base.
- Stitch rows across the hole, going one way then back, anchoring each row beyond the damage.
- Make the rows uneven in length so the darn doesn't end in a straight line, which concentrates stress.
- Turn and weave columns at right angles, over and under the rows.
- Weave the tails in round the edge and trim.
Watch
How to darn a hole in a sweater | Care & Repair | Donna Wilson (5:48)
By Donna Wilson · Open on YouTube
Chosen from its title and channel: a 5-minute video from Donna Wilson on the same topic as this guide. Embedded from YouTube with credit; we don't host it. It only loads when you press play.
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Sources
All checked November 1, 2026. We read these; we did not test the products ourselves.