Darning Mushroom

Description:

Smooth wooden darning mushroom used to mend holes in clothes and bedlinen. Before stronger, modern textiles were introduced, woollen socks were particularly prone to developing holes and often required repair. The mushroom was used to hold the sock or other textile item taut while it was repaired. It was used along with a darning needle, which longer than other needles with a bigger eye to take the thickness of the darning wool. Darning wool was sold in small skeins and wrapped around cards in a wide range of colours so that a close match could be made.