Tuesday Tip: Duplicate Stitch to the Rescue!
By far the most powerful tool in the knitter’s toolbox is duplicate stitch (also known as swiss darning). There are so many fixes that can be done once you master this little darling. Furthermore, once you do, you will also have a much better understanding of the anatomy of your stitches.
Save Your Knitting : Duplicate Stitch to Prevent a Hole
Swiss Darning
When I want to fix an area before it becomes a hole, I will duplicate stitch over the threadbare stitches.
Start by working a row below the trouble spot. Remember, you can work multiple rows by going right to left, and then jog up one row and work the next row left to right
1) Start by bringing your needle back to front through the base of the stitch – the bottom point of the V. Leave a good long tail, as we’ll weave this in at the end
Here I am working Row 4 going left to right. Always inserting the needle in the base of the stitch you are duplicating
2) Next bring your needle through the legs of the stitch above the one you are duplicating. NOTE: If you are working a row going left to right, your needle will also move left to right
Notice how I’m following the path of the stitch.
3) Finally insert the needle back where you started at the base of the V. Jog over to the next stitch (or up above to do the next row) and repeat.
Always enter the same spot you came out. From here you can jog up to do the row above, or jog over to do the next stitch.
Don’t forget, when working the next row, you’ll be moving right to left!
Here’s the same duplicate stitch on the next row. Notice how I’m now moving Right to left
Here’s the finished heel, all reinforced.
No extra bulk inside, very comfortable!
Although it’s great to make this repair before the hole appears, fear not, you can also use duplicate stitch, known as swiss darning, to repair a hole.
To find out how, along with a myriad of other fixes (fixes in cables, lace, color work, circular knitting, shaping and more – both on and off the needles!), check out my video class, Advanced Knitting Fixes.
See where I’m teaching it live here.
CLICK HERE for DVD or Digital Download
Any advice on how to fix a hole that was created by the underarm on a top down sweater? Stitch became elongated. So bummed. 🙁
That hole is created no matter how careful you are in both top down and bottom up in the round. It comes from the joining of the fabric going up and down (body) with side to side (sleeves). I use duplicate stitch to seam over that hole. Look at the under arm and start duplicate stitch one or two stitches in from the hole, then follow the path of the yarn to close it up. I get so many questions on that, I think I may do a video tutorial on just that, so stay tuned!
Can you suggest the best way to repair a small hole from moth damage?
Yes, I will be covering that in the very next Tuesday Tip. It involved building a little ladder with crochet cotton so you can rebuild the fabric. Stay tuned, next Tuesday Tip will be Oct. 4th!