Do You Darn?
 

I have some beautiful, vintage, wool blankets that need darning in order to repair some holes that the dogs chewed, back when they were pups. I've seen some pics of artfully, darned blankets and I think that the darning itself can be really beautiful. However, I've never tried it before. Any tips?

No tips from me but occasionally I do say, Gosh darn! What happened? lol

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/561190803571588202/ This pin shows a really beautiful way to darn holes. Takes a little practice but it is an easy learning curve. Turn off the sound, the music is annoying and left click on the video to start/stop the action so you can see each stitch being made. I also found that outlining the hole with a running stitch before you start darning is helpful.

Thanks Janiebakes! That's just what I was looking for.

I am not a darner.

Hearts are a good idea too...or flowers, ferns etc. I've seen darning that is 2-tone, like a plaid....very pretty.

I have darned so many pair of socks as a kid I can't begin to count them. I made sure to have good darning thread and a nice large needle to put through the sock or blanket to be darned. I would use a large glass to frame the piece and then circle around the area with my threaded needle. It is a matter of doing a weaving process this is where it can get artful. Mostly I was using white or black and just weaving because the socks were either white or black. If I were darning something like a sleeve I would alternate colors sometimes. Mostly very plain work though.

From someone who has no idea how to darn, do you work from the right or wrong side of the piece you are mending?

I "darn" a lot of stuff ... darn this, darn that ..... :)

Seriously, I have darned .... but only if it is something really important to me.
Usually it's socks, and by that time, they really are not worth it, to me.
So then, it is ... No Way Jose!

Darning can be an art ..... and can be quite meditative.
A nice challenge with a huge feeling of satisfaction when done well.
In essence you would be replicating the weave of your blanket.
Find a yarn that somewhat matches the blanket in texture, weight, etc.
Then start your weave in the good part of the blanket to anchor it well.
Skip across the open area and continue into the good part again.
Repeat, with each row close together, and the hole is filled.
All in the same direction.
Then start the cross weaves, emulating the blanket pattern.
Most will be over and under. However, some may be over two, under one, etc.
Continue til all is finished and your hole is filled in.

Soon enough you will be saying ... Darn good Darning!!! :)

Love your idea of not trying to match the darned piece and working it as a plaid!
Or could do other patterns.
After all, it is going to be different, so why not let it show it's stuff!!!
All the same technique.

Good Luck!!


Happy New Year, Everyone!!