Fix a Hole in a Cashmere Sweater

A Hole Does Not Mean the Sweater Is Done

A small hole in cashmere is one of the most common repair needs — and one of the easiest to fix at home. Most cashmere holes come from moths (small, round holes in clusters) or snags (single pulls that open into a hole). Both are repairable. The right method depends on the hole size and your comfort level with hand sewing.

Assess the Damage First

Hole Size	Best Repair Method	Difficulty	Cost
Pinhole to 5mm	Needle felting	Easy — no sewing	$5-10 (felting needle + spare yarn)
5mm to 15mm	Darning or Swiss darning	Moderate — basic sewing	$5-15 (darning needle + matching yarn)
15mm to 25mm	Darning with reinforcement	Moderate to difficult	$10-15
Over 25mm	Professional reweaving	Leave to a specialist	$30-80+

Method 1: Needle Felting (Pinholes to 5mm)

Needle felting is the simplest repair — no sewing required. A barbed felting needle pushes loose fibers into the hole, tangling and bonding them to close the gap.

What You Need

• A felting needle (36 or 38 gauge — available at any craft store for a few dollars)
• A small piece of matching cashmere yarn or roving. If you do not have matching cashmere, pull a few fibers from an inside seam of the sweater itself.
• A foam pad or thick folded towel to work on

Steps

1. Turn the sweater inside out and place the damaged area over the foam pad
2. Lay a thin wisp of matching fiber over the hole
3. Poke the felting needle straight down through the fiber and hole repeatedly — the barbs on the needle tangle the new fibers with the existing knit, filling the hole
4. Work from the inside so the repair surface is on the less-visible side
5. Flip to the right side and check — add more fiber and needle from the outside if needed to blend
6. Continue until the hole is filled and the patch blends with the surrounding knit

A needle-felted repair on a small hole is nearly invisible when done with matching fiber. The entire process takes 5-10 minutes per hole.

Method 2: Darning (5mm to 25mm)

Darning weaves new thread across the hole to recreate the fabric structure. It is the traditional repair method for knit garments and produces a strong, lasting fix.

What You Need

• A darning needle (blunt-tipped tapestry needle)
• Matching cashmere or fine wool yarn — thin enough to match the gauge of the original knit
• A darning egg or mushroom (optional but helpful — holds the fabric taut while you work)

Steps

1. Turn the sweater inside out. Place the darning egg under the hole to create a smooth working surface.
2. Vertical passes: Starting about 5mm beyond the hole edge, weave the needle through the intact knit above the hole, carry the thread straight across the hole, and weave into the intact knit below. Repeat across the width of the hole, spacing threads to match the original knit density.
3. Horizontal passes: Weave perpendicular to the vertical threads, going over-under-over-under across each vertical strand. This creates a woven patch that mimics the original fabric structure.
4. Weave the thread ends into the surrounding fabric for 1-2 cm to secure them. Do not knot — knots create bumps that show through the right side.

A well-done darn is visible up close but blends at normal viewing distance, especially with well-matched yarn.

Method 3: Swiss Darning (Duplicate Stitch)

Swiss darning traces the path of the original knit stitches, making it the most invisible repair method for holes in stockinette (the most common cashmere knit pattern).

1. Identify the stitch pattern around the hole — in stockinette, each stitch looks like a V
2. Thread a tapestry needle with matching yarn
3. Starting from the intact knit below the hole, trace the path of each missing V-stitch: bring the needle up through the base of the V, loop behind the stitch above, and come back down through the same base point
4. Continue stitch by stitch until every missing stitch is recreated
5. Weave ends into the back of the fabric

Swiss darning requires patience and a good eye for the stitch pattern, but the result is the closest thing to invisible repair you can achieve at home.

When to Call a Professional

Take the sweater to a professional reweaver when:

• The hole is larger than 25mm (about 1 inch)
• The hole is in a highly visible area (front center, neckline) where you need an invisible repair
• Multiple holes are close together (common with moth damage)
• The sweater is expensive or sentimental and you want a guaranteed result
• The knit pattern is complex (cable, lace, or textured stitches) and beyond your sewing skill

Professional reweaving reconstructs the original knit structure strand by strand. A skilled reweaver can make a repair that is virtually undetectable. Cost ranges from $30 for a small hole to $80+ for larger damage. For more on repair options, see our complete repair guide.

Preventing Holes

• Moths: Wash cashmere before storing (body oils attract larvae). Use cedar blocks and lavender sachets. Store in breathable containers, not open shelves. Check stored cashmere every 6-8 weeks.
• Snags: Remove rings, bracelets, and watches before putting on or taking off a cashmere sweater. Avoid rough surfaces (brick walls, unfinished wood, Velcro).
• Abrasion: Shoulder bag straps, seatbelts, and desk edges wear through cashmere over time. Rotate which sweater you wear for high-friction activities.

Full prevention and storage details: cashmere storage guide.