Darned Stocking and Darning Equipment, early 1800s

Darned Stocking and Darning Equipment, early 1800s

“darning stockings—my horror.”

—Diary of Frances Hume, Virginia, 1862

Though often a dreaded task, darning holes in stockings was a frequent part of many women’s lives well into the twentieth century. The heel or toe would be stretched over a darning egg of wood, glass, or even a dried gourd, and a large blunt darning needle was used to weave a new toe or heel.

Darned linen stocking knit by Phoebe Morton, 1810-1829, Virginia, gift of Bertha Devin Allen 709

Wooden darning egg, 1800s, DAR Museum 81.27

Copper darning needle, early 1800s, Gift of Jane Zellner Gladney Butler  2906