Darning is a sewing technique for making smooth repairs in fabric or knitting where patching would be impractical, such as in the heel or toe of a sock. Fine darning makes repairs almost invisible. To make a darning repair the only tools needed are a needle, thread and a darning egg. A darning egg can be a smooth, round stone or a turned wooden egg or mushroom shape. The purpose of the egg is to hold the shape of the fabric being repaired and to provide a foundation for the repair. When darning the stitcher attaches the thread to one side of the hole, runs the tread over the hole and attaches it to the other side. These long stitches run back and forth the entire width of the hole. Next, the stitches run across the long stitches as in weaving. This makes a smooth, flat repair.