Elbows are usually the first place a cashmere jumper gives way. Every time you lean on a desk or bend your arm, those fibres take the strain, and over time they thin, pill and eventually wear through.
The good news? A thin or holey elbow doesn't mean the end of your much-loved cashmere jumper. Applying an elbow patch is one of the simplest, most satisfying repairs you can do at home, and it can add years to the life of your knitwear.
At Second Cashmere, our elbow patches are made from reclaimed cashmere that would otherwise go to waste. So when you patch your jumper with one, you're saving two things at once: your favourite knit and a little piece of cashmere that deserved a second life.
In this guide, we'll walk you through how to apply elbow patches to your cashmere knitwear in four easy steps, whether you prefer to sew by hand or by machine.
What you'll need
- A pair of Second Cashmere iron-on elbow patches
- An iron and an ironing board (a sleeve board is handy if you have one)
- A pressing cloth, such as a clean cotton tea towel or pillowcase
- Pins or tailor's chalk to mark the position
- A piece of card or a rolled-up towel to slip inside the sleeve
- For hand sewing: a needle and a thread or yarn in a matching or contrasting colour
- For machine sewing: a sewing machine with a zig-zag stitch
How to apply elbow patches: step by step
Step 1: Remove the paper backing
Peel the paper backing away from the back of the patch to reveal the heat-activated glue. Handle it by the edges so the adhesive stays clean.
Step 2: Place the patch, glue side down
Put the jumper on, bend your arm and mark the point of your elbow with a pin or chalk. Elbow patches usually sit slightly towards the back of the sleeve, so it's worth checking in a mirror.
Lay the jumper flat, slide a piece of card or a rolled towel inside the sleeve, then place the patch glue side down over your mark. Line up both sleeves so the patches match.
Step 3: Iron the patch in place
Cover the patch with a pressing cloth (or tea towel) and set your iron to the wool setting. Press firmly for 10 to 15 seconds, lifting and pressing rather than sliding the iron, so the knit doesn't stretch.
Let it cool completely before moving the sleeve. The glue holds the patch in position, ready for stitching.
Step 4: Sew the patch in place
The iron-on backing is there to hold the patch steady while you sew, so don't skip this step. Stitching around the edge makes the patch secure for everyday wear and washing. Choose hand sewing or machine sewing below.
Hand sewing vs machine sewing your elbow patches
Hand sewing: use a blanket stitch
We recommend a blanket stitch around the edge of the patch. It wraps neatly over the raw edge, stops fraying and gives a lovely handmade finish, especially in a contrasting colour.
- Knot your thread and bring the needle up from inside the sleeve, just next to the patch edge.
- Push the needle down through the patch about 5mm in from the edge, then back up just outside it.
- Before pulling tight, loop the thread under the needle tip, then pull gently so the loop sits on the edge.
- Repeat all the way round, keeping your stitches evenly spaced.
- Finish on the inside of the sleeve with a small knot.
Keep the tension relaxed. Cashmere is soft and stretchy, and tight stitches will pucker it.
Machine sewing: use a zig-zag stitch
If you're using a sewing machine, select the zig-zag stitch and sew along the edge of the patch. The zig-zag stretches with the knit, where a straight stitch could snap.
Work slowly with the free arm of your machine if it has one, and keep the card inside the sleeve so you only stitch through one layer.
Tips for a neat finish and aftercare
- Patch early. Applying a patch when the elbow first looks thin is easier than waiting for a hole, and it protects the knit before it wears through.
- Covering an existing hole? Catch any loose stitches around the hole first with a few small darning stitches, so it doesn't keep running under the patch.
- Play with colour. A tonal patch is subtle; a contrasting one turns the repair into a design feature. Visible mending is something to be proud of.
- Wash with care. Hand wash your patched jumper in cool water with a wool wash, gently squeeze out the water and dry it flat.
Elbow patch FAQs
Can you iron elbow patches onto cashmere?
Yes. Use the wool setting, always place a pressing cloth (or tea towel) between the iron and the patch, and press rather than slide. Then stitch the patch in place for a lasting hold.
Do I need to sew iron-on elbow patches?
We recommend it. The glue holds the patch in position, but stitching around the edge keeps it secure through regular wear and washing.
Where should elbow patches go on a jumper?
Put the jumper on and bend your arm; the patch should sit centred over the point of your elbow, usually slightly towards the back of the sleeve.
What stitch is best for elbow patches?
By hand, a blanket stitch around the edge. By machine, a zig-zag stitch, which stretches with the knit.
Can I put elbow patches over a hole?
Yes. Secure any loose stitches around the hole first, then apply the patch over the top as normal.
Give your cashmere a second life
With a pair of patches, an iron and a little stitching, you can turn a worn-out jumper back into a wardrobe favourite. It's better for your knitwear, better for your wallet and better for the planet.
Ready to get mending? Shop our reclaimed cashmere elbow patches at secondcashmere.com, and share your finished repairs with us on Instagram @secondcashmere. We love seeing them.
Discover our range of over 30 different Reclaimed Cashmere Elbow Patches here.
