Found this smooth wooden object in an old sewing tin. Shaped like a mushroom but the handle is too short to be a pestle.

sewing kits across the world, each with slight regional variations in design, but all serving the same purpose.

To use a darning mushroom, the damaged sock or stocking would be placed over the rounded cap. The smooth surface allowed the fabric to stretch evenly, making it easier to see the area that needed mending. With the fabric taut, a darning needle and thread would be used to weave through the hole, creating a patch that restored the item to usability.

This method of repair, known as darning, involves weaving a new piece of fabric by integrating the old threads with new ones. It was a skill passed down through generations, part of the domestic arts that kept family clothing in serviceable condition much longer than today’s fast fashion.

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