Visible Mending Knitwear Workshop

Visible mending is the practice of repairing sweaters and other knitwear in a way that celebrates the repair rather than hiding it. Unlike conventional mending, which aims for invisibility, visible mending uses creative stitches, colorful yarn and bold techniques to make repairs a focal point, transforming flaws into unique features. 

By choosing to repair, we resist a culture of waste and demonstrate the beauty of resourcefulness. Like the Japanese art of kintsugi pottery repair, rather than trying to hide the damage, these mending techniques highlight the repair and the imperfections are what make it beautiful. 

In this 3-hour workshop, we will learn and practice basic darning techniques, Swiss darning (duplicate stitch), and decorative embroidery stitches. 

Students should bring their clothes item to mend. Other materials will be available in class, but you’re welcome to bring your own. 

Tools and Materials 

• Knitwear Garments: Bring your own sweater, socks, or scarves with holes, snags, or worn areas. 

• Yarn and Thread: Wool, cotton, or synthetic yarns in various colors and thicknesses (a limited supply will be available in class). 

• Darning Needle: Large-eye needle suitable for threading yarn through thick fabric. 

• Small scissors 

• Chalk or Fabric Pencils (optional): To mark out designs or areas to be repaired. 

This Center for Craft Studies program is made possible in part by a generous grant from the Windgate Foundation.  

This class is for ages 14 and up. 

Please use the Notes section on the registration form to list needed accommodations. 

Classes require a minimum enrollment of four students. If classes must be cancelled due to low enrollment, students will be informed one week prior to the start of the class and issued a full refund.