I've just repaired 40 moth holes in a jumper.

[TheClitterati]

I have a few good quality merino wool jumpers, and a gorgeous wool shawl that got very moth eaten a few years back when I lived in London.

Discovered this amazing way to repair jumpers using old felting technique. It really is ridiculously easy. I chose a contrasting colour repair but you can colour match as well. The wool fluff I was supplied will do many many repairs as you only use a wee bit.

Sharing here as I don't know why we all aren't doing this.

I ordered this kit from Netherlands but there must be people doing this style of repair in uk? Is it a lost art? You need the carded wool, bit of firm foam and felting needle.

www.woolfiller.com/index.php?lg=en

But you've ruined something that was already ruined? I'm puzzled by this. Is this the finished article? You've repaired 40 holes with bright orange.

I'm with your kids

I am utterly talentless but am so distraught about a particular jumper that I am going to give this a try. It’s ruined anyway so I have nothing to lose. Thank you so much!

@TheClitterati

The jumper looks a bit bonkers but was virtually shredded by moths.

The purple shawl is a lot darker than it looks in the pic

Close up so you can see how it becomes part of the fabric. Each hole takes a matter of minutes to repair.

That looks fab. I went for greens & pinks & black. Will deffo post results!

@mouse70

Looks terrible! Why on earth use a colour that does not match.I would rather darn than use this method

Because I wanted to. Free choice etc.

@AintPageantMaterial

I am utterly talentless but am so distraught about a particular jumper that I am going to give this a try. It’s ruined anyway so I have nothing to lose. Thank you so much!

Yes me too! I was thinking of trying to darn it but I am awful at darning any hole bigger than a 5p piece so I think this will be better. Anyway it will be a distraction for the long evenings of lockdown.

@TabbyStar

Sorry to ask a boring question, but how did you get rid of your moths?! My DM has them and she seems to be struggling.

I moved. 😬

Living in London I spent years using various methods. Even when I thought I was moth free I still got Holes in my clothes. To the extent that I really don't buy wool very often now.

But then I moved out of London to the coast and I don't seem to have brought the moths with me - fingers crosse.

Motloc - the moth pheromones is good & natural.

@AintPageantMaterial

I am utterly talentless but am so distraught about a particular jumper that I am going to give this a try. It’s ruined anyway so I have nothing to lose. Thank you so much!

Seriously the only talent required is the talent not to stand yourself 😀

Stab! Stab! Stab!

@FelicityFlamingo

But you've ruined something that was already ruined? I'm puzzled by this. Is this the finished article? You've repaired 40 holes with bright orange.

I'm with your kids

Bright orange, yellow and green actually

@lljkk

stupid question, could you cannabalise one wool jumper to bond bits of it to another one (saving just one jumper from its holes). Or do you have to buy "raw"wool. I guess stuff blowing down road from local sheep in field is too raw? Wool irritates my skin so not sure why I'm asking, tbh.

It had to be wool as The entire technique is based around certain properties wool has to bind together. And it has to be the fluffy unspun wool.

[quote Amum89]@TheClitterati I ABSOLUTELY LOVE THIS ❤️❤️❤️❤️ looks so great and lots of fun to do

I realise it's not to everyone's taste but....the visible mending movement is sooooo important! It normalises the repair of consumer goods! [/quote]

👍🏽😃👻♻️ absolutely

I think if I had that many holes in a jumper it really wouldn't be worth the repair! It's just needle felting, but looks awful! For the odd hole I'd just sew it up or a patch with fabric would look better.
You really need to deal with the moths.

just to point out this is ETHICAL LIVING topic not STYLE & BEAUTY.

I've posted because being able to repair clothing is a great thing to do. Repair & wear for longer rather than send to landfill and buy more clothes.

I don't need anyones advice on my poor taste in colours, clothing, or how to kill moths (which if you'd read the thread you'd know I don't have moths now). cheers!

Visible mending is a style choice imo and shows you care for the planet

I’m really into visible mending. I normally darn though.
I alway contrast the colour.

Laine St Pierre thread is a good weight and comes in tonnes of colours. I live in hope someone will buy me the full set as a gift!!

Search Celia Pym on insta for extreme darning.
She has done projects where there is more darn them jumper.

WOW!

I moved

Thank you, this is really helpful, I'll tell my DM to move! (Also the strategy I take when my oven needs cleaning...!)

@KatyMac I know. But I really want it..

But then I also really wanted Lego DiagonAlley...

Diagon Alley won.

I really want a smocker......really really (I wonder if DD is reading this hint, hint)

I really want a smocker......really really (I wonder if DD is reading this hint, hint)

@IToldYouItWasFreaky

I did say it was years ago (35 years ago almost!). Used to find darning wool available in most colours, but as I can't pick up dropped stitches when knitting and thus can't darn neatly, I discovered felting worked. Far less suitable material available now.

use the Yarn Harlot's method of darning...hold the offending item over a bin while saying "darn it!", then throw it in!

Agree with this!
40 moth holes
Straight into the compost bin.

I am a prolific knitter and yarn buyer and all my yarn and knit wear is kept in sealed bags.
Inspected regularly and anything new goes in a bag in the feezer to kill any potential offenders.
If you have other woollen items then its highly likely that the moth larvae are lurking and waiting for their big moment

I have found the one good thing about shielding and lockdown has been that I wear my darned cashmere with pride!

I truly sympathise with OP not giving up on a beloved jumper. I have quite a hoard of old cashmere, waiting to be re purposed.

I have quite a few ankle/leg warmers made out of cashmere sleeves. (I am skinny!) It is surprisingly easy to cut and elasticate the top hem. Also I use the jumper bottom to make infinity scarves or snoods.

I have tried felting and made some nice wrist warmers. Turtle Doves sell them but it is so easy to DIY, and free