Give your favourite knits a longer life and reduce textile waste by learning the timeless art of Swiss darning — a sophisticated and highly effective technique for repairing knitted items while preserving their stretch and comfort.
Whether you're patching up a beloved pair of chunky socks or restoring a fine cashmere jumper, Swiss darning is perfect for both invisible and expressive mends. It’s considered the gold standard in knitwear repair — strengthening the fabric while maintaining its original flexibility and feel.
In this hands-on workshop, you’ll learn how to assess and approach a repair for durability, appearance, and comfort. We'll explore a range of darning and patching techniques before focusing on Swiss darning. You'll then practise the method on a sample, gaining the
confidence to take your new skills home.
By choosing to mend rather than discard, you're not only preserving your garments — you're also taking a meaningful step toward a more sustainable and mindful approach to fashion.
The benefits of joining the Guild
Click here to join the Guild - annual membership is $80 full or $70 concession.
Membership gives you access to all the Guild's amenities including our library of over 3000 books, DVDs and magazines, special interest groups, discounted access to all workshops and courses, and our once-a-month magazine Treadles.
You will learn
- How to "read" your knitting to plan your mending
- Preparing your knits for mending
- A variety of mending techniques to keep your knits wearable for longer
You will get
- All necessary materials will be provided
Appropriate for
Suitable for all skill levels who can use a needle and thread. People who have experience in knitting stockinette stitch, sewing duplicate stitch on knitting, or doing other types of darning or embroidery will have a head start but none of these skills are essential.
What to bring
- Optional: your own darning needles, scissors and darning mushroom if you enjoy using them.
- Optional: knitwear needing repair for advice on how to approach it or to start on in class. Items must be clean and free of moths.
What to wear
Casual clothing
Phoebe is a spinner, weaver, knitter and seamstress with a particular passion for sustainable textiles. She is a passionate mender of even the most dilapidated garments and tries to reuse every scrap of fabric or yarn she creates.
Organized by
Handweavers & Spinners Guild of Victoria
500 reviewsThe Guild's aim is to bring together those who practise handweaving, spinning and allied crafts and to help and encourage them to increase their knowledge, understanding and skills by discussion, demonstration, exhibition, teaching and the provision of quality resource materials.
Our Guild rooms house an excellent library and craft supply, sell members work and host a wonderful range of interest groups, classes and workshops.
We have members and affiliated groups throughout the state.
Come and join us!
Cancellations & Refunds
If the organiser cancels the class:
You are entitled to a full refund.
If you can't attend the class:
You’re welcome to send someone in your place.
OR
- A refund can be requested 7 days before class starts. Free of charge.
- A transfer can be requested 7 days before the class starts. Free of charge.
No changes will be allowed after these times.
We recommend the refund upgrade option upon checkout in case you’re not able to attend the class. Learn more about refund upgrade option.
Have more questions about this class?
Tags:
Mending knitwear with Swiss darning
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