THERE WAS A TIME
when no proper household would be without at least one.
As common as sadirons and buttonhooks,
they were regularly used by women,
often by children, occasionally by men.
And, although they came in a seemingly infinite number of
shapes, sizes and materials,
every one had the same function --
to hold fabric taut while being darned.

They are stocking darners
(or darning eggs, balls, bells, spools, mushrooms),
once highly esteemed in the days of the
"use it up, wear it out -- make do, or do without"
society that has been shunted aside in today's disposable one.
Yet this humble tool is emerging again
as a fascinating, attractive and highly sought-after collectible.

A 19th-century instruction manual for teachers
describes the virtues of darning
as part of the American public-school curriculum:
"If wisely taught, it develops the thrifty dispositions and habits of
neatness, cleanliness, order, management and industry."

Darners were made from nearly every conceivable material,
most commonly wood,
as well as stag horn, mother-of-pearl, porcelain, ceramic,
celluloid, plastic, Bakelite, papier-mache, ivory,
brass, aluminum and tin.
While some glass darners were commercially produced,
many of them were intended not to be used
but to showcase glass blowers' artistic talents.

The U.S. Patent Office issued more than 100 patents
for this humble tool between 1865 and 1956.
The 1920s marked the height of patented darners,
when 17 distinct models were recognized.

Today most of us tend to relegate a holey sock
to the rag drawer instead of reaching for the needle and thread,
but many people still do practice the "waste not, want not" principle.

Robert Epstein, a psychotherapist in Berkeley, Calif.,
admitted in a published article:

"I especially like to mend socks.
Please think twice before throwing your socks away.
BY MENDING THEM,
YOU MAY ALSO BE MENDING THE HOLES IN YOUR LIFE
AND CREATING A TREASURE."

By and large, however,
the practice of darning has fallen by the wayside.
Fortunately, reminders readily can be found.
Common wooden darners often appear at flea markets for less than $10.
And some of the more rare pieces now command higher prices:
An art-glass piece, for example, recently sold at auction for around $1,000.

Thousands of darners have found their way to contemporary collections.
Undoubtedly, more are tucked away in sewing boxes and trunks,
just waiting to be discovered.

The king and queen of darners 

Darner historian Wayne Muller
said he picked up his first darner in a coastal California antiques shop
in 1977 at the urging of his wife, Mary,
who suggested he make a small purchase to placate the storekeeper,
who was trying to close up the shop.
The next day the couple stumbled upon two more darners,
and their collection was born.

The Mullers now own more than 500 examples from 21 countries,
considered the largest collection in the world.

In addition to lecturing on darners,
Muller has published "Darn It: The History and Romance of Darners"
(L-W Book Sales, 1995)
a 160-page softcover book that includes
comprehensive chapters detailing
both the history of this utilitarian tool
and the evolution of stockings,
as well as a price guide.

WAYNE MULLER
Hearst News Service

The Sunday Oregonian
March 12, 2000 

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