Mend, darn, repair

I've been itching to learn how to darn since last year. My alter ego, who is hanging from a very appropriate spot in my living room is a constant reminder of that, so when this past saturday I entered a yarn store, and lo' and behold Tom of Holland was there, and my knees were all shaky, I thought; "now or never." I mean, if an encounter with the king of darning won't persuade you, who will??

I love, LOVE imperfection, rough around the edges,  a wabi-sabi sort of view, and most of all fabrics with holes, tears and mending.

It is a fascination that I have, that hopefully doesn't have any roots in my childhood, or maybe it does (like most things), but I really don't want to know.

 I don't know how to darn, and I don't want to watch any how to's videos, I just want to learn as I go.

Some months ago my father called me to say that his "precious" sweaters had been under attack, and I was very insistent that he brought them over to me, and not to the trash.  Moths love cashmere, and so they were enamored with this sweater in particular. Which I am too. I'm hoping my father doesn't want it back.

The good thing is that not much is needed to repair a sweater, only a bit of knowledge (which right now, I don't even have a bit). The mushroom and wool on the left are for some socks that also need mending.

These are my first attempts. The sweater has soooo many holes, that I think I will be able to graduate with honors when I'm done repairing it.

I have started a new board on Pinterest with the exact same title as this post. Before I used to put all of those darns, under the embroidery board, but it really isn't embroidery, it is more like weaving.  Maybe you remember how my attempts at weaving went?  It is here, in case you don't.

For more darning inspiration head over to this amazing blog.

Next week is this blog's 3rd birthday and what better way to celebrate than a giveaway. So I hope you tune in.
Have a wonderful weekend,
Giova