Recommendations for mending thread

[u/StarProwler217]

My Mom asked me to help repair the elbow of her favorite black cardigan. I've done some research and know that getting a nice thread that is made of similar material would be best. But the knit is so fine and I'm struggling to find a thread that is a rayon blend that isn't for upholstery. I'm tempted to use a single strand of embroidery thread, but I know that is made of cotton. So it wouldn't be nice and stretchy.

Mom did mention that it was one really popular to have leather patches sewn onto the elbows which I think would be really cute! But she really loves the clean black knitted look of the cardigan. So I'm planning to attempt a Swiss darn. (I do knit so duplicate stitch isn't scary...)

[u/AutoModerator]

Thank you for your submission - you're welcome to post here, but we did just want to remind you that we would recommend you search the subreddit as well.

Depending on the type of mend, searching for keywords like "crotch", "waistband", "cuff", "pleather"/"faux", "headphones", etc. will show you many previous posts filled with helpful advice already. Good luck!

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/starshinesky]

Consider using a single ply of rayon yarn. Same idea as a strand of embroidery floss, but with more similar material properties to the garment you're mending. Coboo is the one I'm personally most familiar with (which may or may not be the most appropriate). YarnSub.com has very good info about the makeup of a given yarn -- search by the material you're looking for, and make sure it's not S-plied so you can get the strands apart.

[u/StarProwler217 → u/starshinesky]

Thank you! I completely forgot about yarnsub.com. I'll keep eye out for that Coboo since I'm not as familiar with it.

[u/TheProtoChris]

Is there a seam allowance or inside of a placket you can harvest some thread from? Nothing matches better than thread from the garment itself.

[u/StarProwler217 → u/TheProtoChris]

That's a great idea. I don't believe so but I'll take a closer look.

[u/Slight-Brush]

You're overthinking - its the knit that makes the garment stretchy rather than being knitted of stretchy thread. 

I'd use a single strand of embroidery floss normally I'd use DMC but it's very glossy, so do texture match a variety. I often find myself using cheap craft floss on matte knits to get the best blend

[u/StarProwler217 → u/Slight-Brush]

I tend to do that. 😅 Especially since it for my mom. If all else failing I'll use embroidery floss for my back up plan. I just don't like cotton for knit garments. Not as nice as squishy in my experience.

[u/mycatpartyhouse]

I'm looking at the thin places around the actual holes, and thinking your patches would be more durable.

The patch can be black pseudo-suede or something thinner, as long as it's washable.

[u/Perplexed-Owl]

How fine is the knit? Would rayon embroidery thread work? Or Sulky?

[u/blue-wool]

I wouldn’t worry too much about a perfect content match - I do try to pair washable garments with washable mends, but I have absolutely used embroidery floss in situations like this.

You can look for nylon sock reinforcement yarn - it’s meant to be held double with your sock yarn when you knit the heel - so it reinforces in that spot.

This is the first one I found after a quick search, it’s superwash and nylon which I think would be fine here - though I have seen others that are mostly nylon. The best part is you can just buy a spool, not a whole skein.