a small- to medium-sized straight needle

sewing thread in an appropriate color and strength (see Step 1)

a pair of scissors

a dead light bulb (you'll put inside your sock for easier darning and maneuvering of the sock)

about 25 minutes per sock for your first try, and 10 minutes once you've done it several times

2torial #0632: Learn2 Darn a Sock Darn those socks! Everyone has a favorite pair of socks--has yours been tucked away because of a hole in it? Let go of your shame--just grab a needle, thread and a favorite sock that needs darning, and in less than 30 minutes your sock will be ready to wear again! And don't be surprised if you derive considerable pleasure from this activity. Apart from the joy of rehabiltitating an old pair of sock-friends, this simple type of sewing has pleasant and rhythmic motion that originated thousands of years ago. A hole in your sock is made by the pressure of the foot that wears away part of the material of the sock cloth. What remains, in lightly damaged socks, is the framework of the cloth, which looks like a grid. It's best if you darn the sock at this stage, before the framework gets torn apart. (Darning a sock with a torn framework is a bit more difficult, but still possible.) What is darning, anyway? It's a combination of sewing around the edges of the hole and thin parts of the sock, and weaving thread over the hole itself. You'll employ two strategies: surround the weakened area to limit its expansion. Use a horizontal running stitch to mark the area.   fill in the surrounded area with a vertical, weaving-type running stitch. Find yourself a well-lit room with a cozy chair, grab your needle and thread, and in no time at all your favorite sock will be repaired and ready to wear again. Step 1