Make it last
How to Repair a Small Hole in Knitwear (Swiss Darn)
A moth hole is not the end of a sweater. Duplicate the stitch over the gap. Glue and iron-on patches are how you make a shiny scar.
Updated 27 Aug 2026 · 6 min read · how to repair a hole in a sweater
Stop the hole getting larger
A snag that has not dropped a ladder can be pulled to the back with a crochet hook ($4). A true hole with missing yarn needs new yarn. Wash the knit first so you are not darning dirt — cashmere wash rules, flat dry, then repair.
Duplicate stitch, not a blob
Swiss darning copies the V of stockinette over the damaged area. You are not weaving a flat patch on top; you are rebuilding the fabric. Match color if you want it invisible; contrast if you want it honest. Either is better than fusible web.
When it is a moth problem, not a needle problem
Several holes in a drawer is larvae, not bad luck. Repair after you have treated the closet. One hole in a bag-strap wear point is abrasion. Know which you have before you spend an evening on a single cuff.
Questions, answered
- Can I use regular sewing thread?
- On a fine merino, silk-blend darning thread works. Cotton sewing thread is too hard and will cut the wool over time. Use wool or a matching leftover.
- Iron-on sweater patches?
- They shine, stiffen, and peel. Fine on a kid’s acrylic. Poor on cashmere.
- How small is too big to darn at home?
- Bigger than a coin, or on a rib that has sprung, is a professional or a decorative patch. Home Swiss darn is for pinholes and small moth bites.
