From Hole to Whole: Creative Sweater Repair with Needle Felting – a Zero Waste Workshop
Got a favorite sweater with a few too many moth holes? Have a beloved knit that’s seen better days? Don’t toss it – give it a colorful second life!
program overview
In From Hole to Whole, you’ll learn the art of needle-felted visible mending, a playful and creative way to repair worn-out knitwear while turning the damage into a design feature. Using soft, colorful wool roving and a felting needle, you’ll learn how to fill holes, reinforce worn areas, and create decorative patches that make your repairs stand out rather than disappear.
We’ll explore the basics of needle felting, including how to work with wool roving, build up color and texture, and securely felt fibers into your garment. You’ll have plenty of opportunity to experiment with different colors, shapes, patterns, and textures—whether you want your repair to be subtle and sweet or bold, whimsical, and impossible to miss.
This is visible mending at its most creative: a chance to transform damage into decoration and make something old feel uniquely yours again.
Participants are encouraged to bring one or more wool, wool-blend or cashmere sweaters, cardigans, hats, scarves, or other knit garments with holes or worn areas to repair. with larger ! We’ll provide a selection of colorful wool roving, felting supplies for you to use in class. Come patch, poke, play, and give your favorite knitwear a whole new life—because a hole doesn’t have to be the end of the story.
Please Bring:
One or more wool, wool-blend or cashmere sweaters, cardigans, hats, scarves, or other knit garments with holes or worn areas to repair.
In Partnership with
Zero Waste Sonoma
Zero Waste Sonoma and Zero Waste Marin are partnering with 25+ local organizations and cities to bring a full week of free and donation-based educational opportunities and participatory events to the public.
Zero Waste Week will run October 10 – 17, 2026
View the full calendar of events and activities.
instructor Overview
Katie Vadasz
Katie Vadasz is a weaver, natural dyer, spinner, and sewer based in the Bay Area of California. She’s received a BFA in Individualized Studies from California College of the Arts with a minor in Ecological Practices. She has worked in community outreach and arts education for Sonoma Community Center. Her work emphasizes the unseen labor and costs involved in textile production, both to the maker and the environment.
Instagram: @katievadasz
Membership Has Its Benefits
All Silver Memberships and above receive 10% off the registration cost for any class purchase over $40.
Materials fees are not discounted.
Membership helps support our programs, events, and financial aid programs.
Become a member today and find community, connection, and creativity.
Class FAQ
We ask that you notify us at least 10 days in advance of a class if you need to cancel your registration. You may cancel by phone or email and we will gladly offer you a refund or credit toward a future class. If you cancel with less than 10 days’ notice, we will not be able to provide refunds, due to our contractual obligations and material purchases for each class.
Sometimes, the Sonoma Community Center has to cancel a class due to low enrollment or unforeseen circumstances, such as a natural disaster or health emergency. If this happens and we do not offer a reschedule date, you will be refunded 100% of your registration fee (minus the payment processing and services fee), or credit towards a future class. If we are able to offer a reschedule date but you are unable to make the new date, we will gladly offer credit towards a future class.
All credits must be used within 1 year.
You can view our full class policies and guidelines here.
The Sonoma Community Center is committed to creating an accessible learning environment. If you require any special considerations(medical, physical, learning) please share them with Sean Baskin, Program Associate, by emailing him at [email protected] so that he can forward them to the relevant Program Director and Instructor.
Late additions to any program, class, or workshop that has already begun will be allowed on a per-case basis depending upon the Program Director & instructors approval. Late additions will have to pay the full registration cost of the class, along with any materials fees, and will not be prorated for the time missed. You may reach out to the program directors directly, or the Program Associate Sean Baskin at [email protected] to request a late addition.
We are always looking for new instructors. You can fill out the form directly here.
Thursday, October 15, 2026 from 5:30 pm to 8:00 pm
Experience Level
BeginningAge(s)
13, 14, 15, 16, 17 and 18-overTotal Registration Cost:
FreeDonations accepted at checkout or in person. This workshop is sponsored by Zero Waste Sonoma.
