Thursday, February 19, 2009

D is for Darning

I think I've mentioned Mr. Truck's sock issues before and how his goal is to have 365 pairs of socks every year. A long time ago we had this running joke about darning socks, something I swore I'd never do. You see, my Grandma darned socks and I remember them being lumpy and uncomfortable as well as funny looking. But I did buy this darning egg at an antique store as a gag gift. We've been using it as decoration ever since.


It opens up to store needles and thread. As you can see, mine is empty.





But now I have holes in my hand knit socks. These were knit out of Wool-ease sport weight that was left over from another project about four years ago. I've been wearing them as house socks and shoveling snow socks. And I'm actually considering darning them or just throwing them out. What do you think?

9 comments:

pdxknitterati/MicheleLB said...

They could be fun to experiment on, and if it doesn't work out, no big deal. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. I've heard that it's easier to darn/duplicate stitch over weak spots rather than waiting until there's an actual hole, though.

I love the darning egg. And the secret compartment! I have something that looks like that, but it says "fish whacker" on it, so I'm guessing it has a very different purpose!

RedScot said...

Darn 'em! They look too cosy to throw away! I love the darning egg! My Grandmother had a darning mushroom thingy (from what I can remember) but the egg looks much easier to use!

Anonymous said...

I think you might find it easier to just reknit the toe. The toe will be stronger and if you don't have anymore of that yarn, another color of the same weight would be cheery>

Iron Needles said...

I have several thoughts. First, I, too, have a darning egg, bought for the aesthetic pleasure! (and a mushroom thingey, too, RedScot!) Second, how is it time for D already? Third, I'd give it a try. Handknits are worth the effort. Walmarts are not.

Anonymous said...

I agree with everybody else. Darn them!, says I who has never darned a pair of socks in her life. If you don't like it, never do it again. But you have to try it at least once.

Minding My Own Stitches said...

I've nothing helpful to add, other than I love your "darning egg". Never heard of or seen such a thing before!

lostarts said...

I haven't been knitting socks long enough to wear a hole in any of them, so I don't yet have an opinion on the darning issue, although I think it would be good to darn them, and then see if you like darned socks. Then, you'll have an answer for you.

I have a darning egg, and I use it to do Kitchner stitch at the toe of the sock, and to darn my ends in when I'm done, and it works well for that.

I think that it would be good to do duplicate stitch over stitches that are wearing out before you get to the point that you have a hole. That would give you a sock that doesn't look or feel darned.

Anonymous said...

I definitely need one of these. My son has already worn through one of the socks I knitted him this Christmas...

Mary said...

Darn them as a practice piece. That darning egg is awfully pretty!