Woodrock Turning darning mushroom – red

Darning mushrooms help hold the shape of the item you’re mending and keep fabric taut, so you get a more natural-looking result. They’re most commonly used when darning socks (the mushroom cap replicates the curved shape of a heel or toes), but many menders like to use them for darning jumpers and other clothing, too.

These red toadstool-style mushrooms come in two sizes: small (6.7cm/2.6” diameter cap, 10cm/3.9” total length) and large (8.3cm/3.3” diameter cap, 12cm/4.7” total length). I’m holding the large mushroom in the second picture. The small mushroom is curvier and best for darning socks; the large is slightly flatter and better for jumpers, tea towels and other big items.

You don’t need a darning mushroom to start darning (I’m a big fan of using oranges and other citrus when darning socks) but it has a few benefits:

• Having nice tools can motivate you to mend more often.
• If you tend to find your mending mojo late at night, there’s no risk of panicking when you discover you’re out of oranges and it’s too late to go to the shops. Your darning mushroom is a lifelong, dependable, 24/7 friend.
• If you like to mend while travelling, your darning mushroom won’t squish in your bag and won’t be confiscated if you travel interstate or overseas (fresh fruit is often subject to quarantine restrictions).
• Every time I order more of these darning mushrooms, I get a note that says “Thank you so mushy!” and part of me dies of happiness.

Want to see how it’s done? Modern Mending the book includes 32 pages of detailed darning instructions.

This product is made from local timber that has been sourced second-hand, then hand-turned, hand-painted and lightly waxed in Brisbane, Australia, by husband-and-wife team Kerry and Rie at Woodrock Turning. They are inspired by fungus because of its healing, supportive role for forests, ecosystems and the planet.

NOTE: for best results avoid washing your darning mushroom with water; wipe with a damp cloth if dirty.

🔴 2024/2025 holiday deadlines 🔴

17 December 2024:
Last orders for Christmas delivery in Australia

HOLIDAY BREAK: 18 December 2024 to 12 January 2025
Postal orders placed during this time will ship the week of 13 January, when I'm back at work. Gift vouchers will be available for purchase 24/7 and delivered automagically by email.

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Weekly dispatch

This shop dispatches orders once a week so I can do alllll the things – including running this shop and running after two tiny tots – and enjoy my life. Your patience and understanding are greatly appreciated.

I have a new work and childcare schedule for 2024 and am still working out the best schedule for postal dispatches; please allow approximately one week from time of purchase while I figure it all out.

Shipping carrier

I ship via Australia Post. If you select Express Post at checkout, it will speed up Australia Post's delivery timeframe but won't speed up my process.

After your order has been packed, you will receive an email notification with your Australia Post tracking number, which you can use to check on the delivery status of your order.

International customers: click here for current Australia Post international delivery timeframes.

Shipping fees

Shipping is currently a flat rate of $12 within Australia ($17 Express Post); international shipping is calculated at checkout. Gift vouchers are delivered electronically and do not require shipping. 

NEW: Modern Mending has partnered with Mateship to offer free shipping and cash back when you combine orders with your mates and have them sent to one location. Save money, carbon emissions and packaging waste!

Modern Mending customers have been combining orders informally for ages; Mateship makes it official and easier for me to coordinate, and rewards you for your efforts. Win win.

How it works:

1. Check out as usual.
2. A pop-up will appear to sign up to Mateship.
3. Invite mates to your order. They have 8 hours to join your order.

Note: Mateship only works with standard shipping, not Express Post, and only in Australia at the moment.

International shipping

I ship worldwide with the exception of the UK, due to VAT regulations that came into effect on 1 January 2021. If you are in the UK you can order the UK edition of my book from your local bookshop.

Local delivery

Customers in Northcote, Thornbury and nearby suburbs (subject to capacity) can select local delivery at checkout. Local delivery is extra-slow and coincides with my pram-walking / kid-wrangling schedule, up to one week after purchase.
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I choose to reuse

When shipping orders my first priority is to reuse packaging materials whenever possible – boxes, padded mailers, cardboard, paper, tissue paper, bubble wrap and egg cartons from neighbours, second-hand shops and recycling centres. I cannot guarantee the materials used to ship your order will be plastic-free for this reason.

I buy recycled packaging

If I don’t have suitable second-hand packaging to use for your order, my next priority is packaging made from recycled materials. It's important to me to support Australian companies making good products from our recyclables, and to make sure that material gets a second life.

Tape

I use compostable, gummed kraft-paper tape to seal my parcels whenever possible. I have a second-hand tape wetter that I love, purchased from my local op shop. Gummed paper tape is available at most art-supply shops if you want to make the switch yourself!

Express Post orders will have official plastic "Express Post" tape added.

International orders with many items will have a plastic pocket taped to them, to accommodate additional paperwork required by customs.

Individual product packaging

Every item for sale on this website has its packaging components listed and in most cases photographed, so you can make an informed decision.

Upstream packaging

When I speak to my suppliers I specifically ask that my orders be supplied to me without plastic packaging, whenever possible, to avoid waste and single-use plastic. This isn’t always possible, but I’ll keep asking, forever.

Here's how one of my suppliers has my name recorded in its database: