The darning mushroom would have been an essential tool in an era when women were constantly repairing worn socks.Before the advent of synthetic materials, socks and other items of clothing were in constant need of repair. Darning would have been considered a necessary skill for girls and young women,part of their education as future wives and mothers. The mushroom was used to make repairs to clothing, bed linen etc a practice that has largely disappeared with the development of modern textiles.
A darning mushroom
Contributed by Marcia Blore
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Comments
Not totally disappeared, I bought one this morning. I knit socks, and something that takes a fortnight to finish won't be thrown away just for a hole in the heel.
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