Now that the weather is getting chilly, warm, cozy sweaters are an essential wardrobe staple. Unfortunately, months in storage or an accidental snag can inflict some major damage on the delicate weave of your favorite pullover. Instead of tossing it into the donation pile, mend that hole in your sweater with one of these simple tutorials.

Martha Stewart’s Easy Ways to Fix a Sweater
It’s safe to assume that Martha knows how to fix just about anything, and her sweater-mending tips are second to none. She’ll show you how to stock a knitwear first-aid kit and then use it to fix just about any type of sweater damage.

Darning or Felting a Hole in A Sweater
Whether you prefer stitching with a classic needle and thread or using wool roving and the more complex felting process, both of these options will make your sweater look good as new.

Fix a Hole in a Sweater With Thread
This tutorial from Black Spruce Hound will teach even those with little to no sewing skills how to mend a sweater using a needle and thread. With a few genius twists and turns of the needle, you can even avoid leaving behind those annoying bumps and bulges.

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/tschiae

Whether you just moved into a new home or you’re looking to add a bit of pizzazz to your old one, HomeGoods has something that you’re sure to love. Just like the name implies, the store specializes in home goods, as well as seasonal decorations, cooking supplies, and just about everything else that you could think of to add character to your home. HomeGoods sells only name-brand products for prices that are significantly discounted, so you can get a great deal on that pricey espresso machine or some plush new bath towels for an unbelievably low price. The entire store is organized by room, from the bathroom to the bedroom, and there are even larger scale items like furniture pieces and floor lamps.

If you’re an avid bargain shopper looking to decorate on a dime, HomeGoods is a great place to shop in the Valencia area!

HomeGoods
27087 Mcbean Parkway
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 253-0477
www.homegoods.com
www.yelp.com/biz/homegoods-valencia

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Stacie

First Serve Tennis may offer an inventory that's similar to that of the big-name retailers, but this independently owned store rises above the competition through one thing in particular: stellar customer service. That's according to First Serve Tennis's many glowing reviews on Yelp. Shoppers repeatedly commend the store's employees for not only their expertise, but also their seemingly unwavering patience. This is the kind of place that happily fields last-minute requests for same-day racquet restringing, even when the store is heavy with foot traffic.

In addition to the customer service, customers laud First Serve Tennis's varied inventory. Representing top-name brands (Nike, Asics, Wilson, Price, Head, Adidas), you'll find everything from tennis apparel and shoes to racquets and sports drink mixes.

First Serve Tennis is open 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays.

First Serve Tennis
27674 Newhall Ranch Road
Valencia, CA 91355
(661) 775-7730
firstservetennis.net
www.yelp.com/biz/first-serve-tennis-valencia

CC-BY-SA-2.0/Flickr/Atomic Taco