How to use a Speedweave loom to mend your clothes

In this blog you can learn step by step how to mend a hole in your clothes with a speedweave loom. This special mending mushroom comes with handy hooks to make the meding easier than with a regular mending mushroom.

how to use a speedweave loom for beginners

Which materials do you need to darn your clothes with a speedweave?

1. Speedweave loom set

We sell Speedweave looms in different sizes. The looms come with sharp and blunt needles.

It’s handy to know that you have to insert the wooden disc under the hole in your fabric. For smaller holes & repairs in children trousers or sleeves we recommend to use the loom with 10 hooks. For bigger repairs you can best use a bigger loom.

2. Mending thread

Universal mending thread is always a good option. These threads are specicially developed for mending and typically stronger then other yarns and can be washed at higher temperatures. If you like you can also use other threads. In that case it is best to use a thread that’s as close as possible to the type of material used to create the clothes.

How to use a Speedweave loom to darn your clothes

Step 1

how to use the speedweave loom with 10 hooks

Place the wooden disc under the hole in your fabric. Use the elastics to stretch the fabric around the disc.

Step 2

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners
how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Use a second elastics to attach the metal piece with hooks to the disc.

Step 3

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Thread your need with mending thread. Make the vertical lines going around the hooks. You can leave the loose ends hanging at the bottom.

Step 4

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Make as many lines as needed to cover the hole. You don’t have to use all hooks if you are mending a small hole.

Step 5

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Time for the horizontal lines. Secure your thread to the fabric and guide your needle close to the hooks to the other side.

Step 6

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Push the thread down. Use your fingers to switch the hooks on the top of your loom.

Step 7

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Attach the thread to the fabric. Weave to the other side. Push the thread down. Switch the hooks.

Step 8

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Repeat these steps. When you finish a thread you can choose to continue with a different colour. But of course you can also make you entire project with the same colour.

Step 9

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Keep weaving until you covered all the vertical lines and when you are close to the hooks.

Step 10

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Remove the elastics from the metal and gently lift the metal upwards.

Step 11

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Carefully remove the threads from the hooks.

Step 12

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Secure the loops (the ones that were around the hooks) to your fabric.

Step 13

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Pull the loose threads of your vertical lines in the backside of your work.

Step 14

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Stitch each loose thread to the inside of your fabric. If you do this under your repair it’s not visible on the good side.

Step 15

how to use the speedweave loom darning for beginners

Voilà! You’re mending project is finished!

Visible mending tips to darn stitch as a pro

  • Do not pull on the thread or yarn to tighten the stitches. Doing this will cause puckering.
  • Try to create the same weave tightness as the garment you are darning. For example, if you are darning a loose knit, then the stitches will need to be somewhat spaced out. If you are darning a tight knit, then the stitches will need to be tight.
  • Darn your clothes with a thread that is close to the materials used to make your garment. So a woolen sock is best fixed with wool, and a cotton shirt is best fixed with cotton thread.

Frequently asked questions about darning

What makes a Speedweave darning loom quicker than a mending mushroom?2023-02-19T21:18:18+01:00

What makes a Speedweave darning loom quicker than a mending mushroom?

A Speedweave darning loom gives a similar result than a mending mushroom. But the Speed weaver loom works much quicker as it comes with handy metal hooks. The hooks move your threads up and down making it easier to guide your needle through the vertical threads.

With a classic mending mushroom or darning egg you have to move your needle up and down through the vertical lines. But with the Speedweave darning loom the hooks help to move half of the threads up and the other half down.

Read our blog for more information about darning with a Speedweave darning loom

Do you need a special needle for darning?2022-12-04T21:31:08+01:00

Do you need a special needle for darning?

The type of needle you’ll need depends on the mending project. It is handy to use a special needle for darning.

For mending knitted sweaters or socks, you can best use darning needles with a bended blunt tip. Jumbo needles for projects with thicker yarn, and regular darning needles for projects with a regular thickness.

If you are mending a tighter knitted or woven project you will prefer to use sharp ended Sashiko needles.

What is better a darning egg or darning mushroom?2022-12-04T21:32:10+01:00

What is better a darning egg or darning mushroom?

Our darning mushroom is better for most darning projects than a darning egg. The broad curvature of the surface is not so abruptly as with a typical egg. It fits just right inside a sock.

Why use a darning mushroom or egg?2022-12-04T21:30:23+01:00

Why use a darning mushroom or egg?

Darning eggs and mushrooms help to stretch your fabric. Especially when you’re darning a hole in a knitted fabric or other fabric with stretch (like in your socks, sweater or stretching jeans) a darning mushroom is superhandy. When you use a darning mushroom your fabric will stay evenly stretched while mending. It prevents the final mend to distort and helps to get an evenly woven piece.

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2023-02-19T21:57:17+01:00

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