A Darn Good Time: recommended workshop supplies

These are my recommended supplies for my mending workshop 'A Darn Good Time'.

ESSENTIAL: Modern Mending book

We will be using my book, Modern Mending, as our textbook in class. If you already have a copy, please bring it with you.

(Note: first-edition copies of Modern Mending do not include instructions for blanket-stitch darning, but we can make do during the workshop if you don't wish to upgrade to the second edition.)

ESSENTIAL: darning needles

For darning practice, you will need long-ish needles with an eye large enough to accommodate the yarn you are darning with.

They don't need to be labelled 'darning needles' (you may have tapestry needles or embroidery needles that will work), but they do need to have sharp points, have an eye large enough to accommodate 3-6 strands of embroidery thread and be able to stitch through a tea towel or sock (whatever you will be using for practice).

1. Prym yarn darners (size 1-9) are my first pick for beginners, and the least expensive option.
2. The Prym Combi Card is the largest, most versatile needle pack. If you are attending both workshops (A Darn Good Time and Patch Party), this pack will work for both.
3. A Prym needle twister is the fun and clever option, with a magnet inside to keep things tidy. The mint-coloured twister (needles included) will work for both workshops (A Darn Good Time and Patch Party). You can also purchase empty needle twisters to store the needles of your choice.

OPTIONAL: I've included Clover darning-needle sets here. They contain blunt-tip needles, suitable for knitwear. I use these regularly in my mending practice but they are not necessary for this workshop. I've included them here in case you know you will need to mend hand-knit or chunky-knit clothing and would like to save money by ordering beforehand. 

ESSENTIAL: sharp scissors

Any sharp scissors will do, but I use these small Klasse embroidery scissors the most. SOSU has scissors available to use on the day.

OPTIONAL: needle threader, beeswax, tension tamers

• Needle threader: This threader will save you heaps of time when darning and weaving in ends. The wire needle threader that comes with the Combi Card is useless for darning; this one is the best.
• Beeswax: I often use beeswax when weaving with stranded embroidery thread and hand-sewing with machine sewing thread.
• Tension tamers: Darning mushrooms, darning eggs and embroidery hoops can help make darning easier. I'll bring some along so you can try them out. If you are attending both workshops, an embroidery hoop is also useful for hand-sewing patches.

OPTIONAL: mending yarn

I will be providing cotton embroidery thread for this workshop, and you are welcome to bring your own yarn and thick thread, as well.

To learn woven darning (part one of this workshop), I recommend cotton embroidery thread, Scanfil mending wool, Regia 2-ply mending wool or DMC Eco Vita wool thread. You will need at least two contrasting colours so we can easily see what you're doing and troubleshoot if necessary.

For blanket-stitch based darning (part two) and more advanced mends, I love Laine Saint-Pierre mending wool and Mend it upcycled mending yarn for garments made from animal fibres, and Cottage Garden Threads (variegated embroidery thread) and sashiko thread for mending cotton and other plant-based fibres.