A hole in a sweater can be very annoying. This is especially true if the hole is caused by moths or other invasive insects.

Thankfully, there are many ways to fix the problem. One way is to darn the sweater. This is a process that involves weaving yarn into the damaged area of the sweater.

How to Sew a Sweater Repair

A hole in a sweater doesn't have to mean the end of your favorite garment. A little mending can keep the piece in your closet for years to come.

The first thing you should do is make sure the ripped area has as few loose threads or frays as possible. This will help the repair be more streamlined and less visible.

Start stitching at one edge of the rip, about a centimeter away from it. Take a straight stitch in and out of the fabric, passing under a single row of knit stitches. Pull the needle through until the thread is taut, but don't gather or scrunch the fabric.

Next, bring the thread across the ripped area and run it up through a sweater stitch on the other side of the hole. Repeat this step to make a "frame" of stitches around the hole. Then, weave the yarn into the rows of previous stitches to create a woven patch.

Patching a Sweater Repair

A popular way to mend a hole in a sweater is by darning. This technique stitches rows of contrasting yarn or thread across the hole and into the surrounding sweater. It's a great way to add color and personality to an old knit sweater or give new life to a moth-eaten one.

Start by placing a darning mushroom or egg under the hole for support. Stitch vertical rows of repair yarn, anchored into the healthy stitches around it and covering the hole. When you've covered the hole completely, work horizontally catching the stitches the broken ones were connected to.

The type of yarn you use for the patch will make the repair more or less noticeable. Choose a yarn that matches in care and fabric type. If you're mending a tight sweater, consider using flannel or felted wool fabric for your patch. This will keep the patch in place without stretching out the patch. It will also be soft against the skin.

Embroidery a Sweater Repair

If you have a small hole in a sweater, you can mend it with embroidery stitches like sashiko or boro. This type of mending looks more like part of the design of the sweater than just a patch covering a hole.

Embroidery is also a great way to add some color and pattern to a sweater. A little bit of embellishment can transform a worn out sweater into a fashionable one-of-a-kind garment.

It’s best to use a hand needle and embroidery thread that is a close match or a bright color that complements the sweater. This type of mending is especially effective for repairing holes in the elbows and heels of knitwear – areas that suffer from most wear and tear. Before you begin, thoroughly evaluate the damage to ensure that an embroidery stitch will cover it effectively. It’s also important to apply a stabilizer to the area before you begin sewing. This will prevent the embroidery from pulling out of the fabric.

Crochet a Sweater Repair

Sometimes a hole in a sweater is the result of an old yarn end working loose, moth holes or even a space between stitches getting snagged against something and torn. In such cases, the best way to mend these visual flaws is with crochet.

To do this, make a flat ladder stitch around the area containing the snag in your crochet blanket, essentially a woven patch of thread. When done correctly, it will be nearly impossible to notice.

You can also use this technique to repair a sweater that has shrunk. However, if the sweater has lost its elasticity due to an overly long machine wash (or worse) or a tilt-a-whirl spin in the dryer, it may not snap back into shape. In such cases, you might want to try blocking the sweater instead. That means pinning the sweater to a surface, manipulating it and letting it dry in its new shape. Then you can wear the sweater again with pride.