OTHER WAYS TO TACKLE HOLES

Knitted-on patch

If you have a garment with a small hole in it, is should be possible to close the hole with a knitted-on patch. To do this you will need to pick up the stitches at risk of unravelling around the hole, using fine double-pointed or circular needles.

Pick up stitches from the rows above and below the ‘at risk’ stitches (above and below the hole). Pick up across the top and bottom of the hole, and pick up an equal number of stitches top and bottom. You need to pick up a single ‘bar’ from each stitch - make sure it’s the same both top and bottom.

Determine how many rows of fabric there are between the top and bottom rows of picked up stitches. In our sample, the patch needs to bridge across five rows, the last of which will be grafted, so we will need to knit four rows.

Knit down one row from the top, and then knit up three rows from the bottom. Break off the yarn with a tail at least 20cm long, and thread it onto a tapestry needle.

Now graft the two ‘live’ rows together using Kitchener stitch. When you have finished, use the yarn tails to catch the patch to the side stitches of the hole, to secure them, and remove any further gaps (

Weave the yarn tail in around the edge of the mini patch, as this will give extra strength to the area.

Duplicate stitching

For areas that are worn, but not worn through, consider duplicate stitching (Swiss darning) to provide extra strength. This is done by tracing the path of the stitches using a tapestry needle and matching yarn. For more guidance on duplicate stitch, see our masterclass at www.gathered.how/knitting-andcrochet/knitting/swiss-darning/