Choosing suitable yarns and threads, no rules as such.
Choosing suitable yarns and threads for visible mending, darning, and patching is a matter of personal preference. There are some things you ought to consider. As we know, mending, darning, and patching are age-old techniques experiencing a resurgence as more people embrace a more sustainable lifestyle and mindful consumption. The success and durability of these repairs largely depend on choosing the appropriate yarn, thread or fabric patch for the job. Here’s a rough guide to selecting the best materials for each type of repair. It’s totally up to you; with creative, visible repairs, there are no rules as such.
Darning, Mending, Patching Yarns and Threads
Wool Yarn
Wool is a popular choice for darning, especially for knitwear. Its slight give makes it ideal for repairing socks, sweaters, and other knitted garments. A yarns come in various weights and colours, allowing for a seamless repair or a creative contrast. Wool comes from multiple breeds of sheep (i.e., Shetland, Merino, Jacob, and many others) and animals like alpaca, yak, goat, rabbit, etc. Wool is ideal for visible mending on most knitwear. If you have a cashmere jumper, you might want to repair it with cashmere yarn or not. Choose a similar or contrasting colour or more than one colour. You can darn with the same thickness or thicker yarn for more contrast.
Cotton Yarn
A versatile yarn that works well for mending, darning, and patching cotton and linen fabrics, particularly denim and textiles in general. Cotton is a stronger, smoother yarn with much less give than wool. Mercerized cotton is that bit stronger again and more durable than other types of cotton thread. You can use cotton thread on various types of knitwear if you want to. Cotton yarn or thread is ideal for Boro patches.
Various thicknesses of mercerised cotton yarn are my go-to thread for repairing jeans, household items and patching, as in boro or similar patching techniques.
All of Cwtch Lifestyle’s mending, darning, and patching yarns and threads have been sustainably sourced—end-of-mill runs, leftovers from projects, rescued or vintage, all in good condition and previously unused. All natural yarns and threads except some of the sock yarns, which contains a maximum of 10% to 20% nylon as opposed to many commerical darning yarns that contain 50%.
Embroidery Cotton Thread or Floss
This thread is a good choice for mending, darning, and patching. It usually has several strands twisted into one strand (thread) in various thicknesses. Embroidery floss has six strands that separate quite easily; use all six or divide into two lots of three for a thinner thread. It could be used on knitwear; it’s entirely up to you. It is ideal for mending, darning, patching, or embroidering on tops, skirts, and dresses.
Nylon Thread
Nylon thread is extremely strong. A percentage of it is used in sock yarn to give the wool more durability. Many commercial darning threads can have up to 50% nylon to 50% wool. I avoid these as I don’t like synthetic yarns and fabrics for many reasons. For me, a better combination of sock wool yarn contains 10% to 20% nylon, which still gives the yarn durability for sock darning. However, 100% wool yarn is also an option for daring socks.
Silk Thread
Silk thread is strong and durable, making it perfect for all sorts of repairs. It blends seamlessly with the fabric and adds a luxurious touch to the repair. Although silk is more expensive than other threads, its smooth finish and strength make it worthwhile for some garments.
Strong Waxed Thread
A waxed thick thread is handy for patching leather and canvas. The wax coating makes the thread waterproof and adds extra durability. It’s commonly used on outdoor gear repairs, ensuring that patches remain secure even in harsh conditions.
Conclusion
Choosing suitable yarns and threads for darning, mending, and patching is quite simple –
Stronger, thicker cotton yarn for fabrics like denim or thick cotton fabric.
Knitwear wool yarn – the type and thickness are up to you, as well as the effect you wish to create.
Socks: Wool socks can be darned with 100% wool or 80/90% wool and 10/20% nylon. If your socks are cotton, use cotton yarn.
Stubborn stains on tops or dresses: You might choose to cover them with cotton embroidery thread/floss, thin mercerised cotton, or a Boro patch.
In the image below, you could say, so to speak, I have broken the rules and added a cotton Boro patch with a thin mercerised cotton thread/yarn to my cashmere knitwear jumper! It actually works well. So if you don’t want to darn, then patch :).
The rules are to have fun, be creative and extend the life of your clothes and textiles.
P.S. In this article, I have used the words thread and yarn almost interchangeably. Someone asked me what the difference was. In general, cotton, wool, acrylic, etc., yarns are used in knitting, crocheting, and weaving, whereas everything else is generally referred to as thread. For repairs, we use all sorts of yarns, like a thread.
“The clothes we wear say something about who we are. Let’s make sure they’re saying the right thing.” – Colin Firth
