"Many things can be metaphors," Anton said simply, and then moved on. "It depends upon the type of garment and size of the hole. Sometimes some unravelling is required to properly brace the edges of the area to be patched. This is usually required for socks--like so."

He found a pair of socks he'd darned and repaired and showed Gene the patches on the heel and beneath the toes. They were a blatantly different colour, but matched the original so the design looked chosen. "I simply unravelled the edges to even them for the square patch I knitted to fill it in. Socks wear quickly, so reinforcement and re-knitting are usually the best approach--that is why I did the same for the other sock though it had not yet worn through."