NEVER CUT THE SNAGGED YARN!
You’ll need a large eye needle and a needle threading tool
or a small crochet hook.
#1: Bring a large-eye needle up through the back of the garment to the front near the snag.
You may also use a crochet hook to carefully bring the snag back to the other side.
A needle threader tool makes it easier to pull the yarn through the needle’s eye.
Once threaded, pull the snag back through to the wrong side of the garment and you’re all done…EASY!
signs of a clothes moths: clusters of tiny round eggs larvae and their webby cocoons
Do Not Use Mothballs! Mothballs are extremely toxic! They are proven carcinogens and may also damage the liver, kidneys and eyes. Concentrations high enough to be effective for pest control can be dangerous for anyone exposed to them. You do not want to have these chemicals anywhere near your skin!
Many of the old moth ball formulations are now banned or not recommended. Safer alternatives exist, like lavender (dried, sachets or gel products). But these are not effective on larvae.
The best way of killing adults, eggs and larvae is to deep freeze items. Seal them in plastic 'freezer' bags at -18C (-1F ) for at least two weeks.
Rugs, carpets and upholstery are best treated in a commercial freezer or by a controlled heat process carried out by reputable companies.
Clean all your woolens. Handwash sweaters and beat rugs outside. I handwash all my wool, but with coats and suits you may need to have it dry cleaned The dry cleaning removes most of the pests and eggs, but more importantly removes any residual oils or sweat… or baby food, which might attract the pests again.
Steam them. This should kill any eggs that remain.
Dry them well. Never store damp wool.
Store them carefully. If you have a good, airtight cedar chest, use that. If you have garment bags made with durable materials (moth larvae can chew right through thin plastic) then you can hang wool garments sealed in that. Add some cedar blocks, oil, or other moth repellent potpourri to repel them and to cover the natural sulfur odor of wool. If you need to use a box or bin to store wool in, make certain that it is truly sealed.
Take out items hanging up inside your wardrobe and shake them at least once a month – moths hate being disturbed.
Regularly vacuum around the bottom and edges of wardrobes and any shelves.
Be careful with any vintage or even new woolens you bring into your home. Check carefully for signs of webbing or ‘cases’ If you’re not sure put it in a freezer bag and freeze for 1-2 weeks before cleaning and storing with your other clothing.
After using your vaccum cleaner always empty the contents into a black plastic bag. Seal it up and dispose of it in an outside bin.
This is the best, most clear demonstration we’ve found of how to mend knits with this beautiful technique. Swiss Darning is also called Duplicate Stitching - it ‘duplicates’ each stitch so it blends in beautifully!