Correcting Errors: 5 Stress-Free Easy Solutions

We've all been there! Next time you make one of the most common errors, check out these 5 stress-free tips, that will help you to fix everything fast. Save yourself from a total knitting frustration. Don't panic. This happens all the time. A stitch will fall off in your bag or when you set your knitting down. Or a stitch can easily pop off the end of your needle when you aren't paying attention. Sometimes it will work its way deep down into the fabric, but good news: It's fixable! So never fear! I’m going to tell you how to fix them yourself! Let’s dive in. Common errors encountered when knitting include stitches that are backwards, unwanted, dropped, or incomplete. Check your work often because it is easier to correct mistakes soon after you’ve made them. If you have worked only a row or two beyond an error, you can work back to it stitch by stitch. If you discover an error after working many more rows, unravel to the mistake and rework from that point. You may be able to drop individual stitches above the error and unravel only those back to the mistake, instead of unraveling several complete rows. To unravel, use a contrasting yarn or stitch marker to mark the row with the error. Remove the knitting needle and pull out the stitches to that row. When working an intricate stitch pattern, keep track of the number of rows you unravel so that you won’t lose your place. After unraveling, put the stitches back onto a smaller needle – it will be easier to slip the needle into the loops. Make sure that the stitches are not backwards as you return them to the needle. Work the stitches with the correct needle size. Certain novelty yarns and mohair are not easy to unravel. You may want to use scissors to carefully free the hairs of fuzzy yarns as you unravel.

A twisted or backwards stitch is created either by wrapping the yarn incorrectly on the previous row or by dropping a stitch and returning it to the needle backwards. To correct the backwards knit stitch, knit it through the back loop (picture 2). A backwards purl stitch looks different from a regular purl stitch in that the back loop is nearer the tip of the needle than the front loop (picture 3). To correct the backwards purl stitch, purl it through the back loop (picture 4).

This method is used when a knit stitch has dropped only one row. Work to where the stitch has dropped. Be sure that the loose strand is behind the dropped stitch (picture 1). Insert the right needle from front to back into the dropped stitch and under the loose horizontal strand behind (picture 2). Insert the left needle from the back into the dropped stitch on the right needle, and pull this stitch over the loose strand (picture 3). Transfer this newly made stitch back to the left needle by inserting the left needle from front to back into the stitch and slipping it off the right needle (picture 4).

This method is used when a purl stitch has been dropped only one row. Work to the dropped purl stitch. Be sure that the loose horizontal strand is in front of the dropped stitch (picture 1). Insert the right needle from back to front into the dropped stitch, and then under the loose horizontal strand (picture 2). With the left needle, lift the dropped stitch over the horizontal strand and off the right needle (picture 3). Transfer the newly made purl stitch back to the left needle by inserting the left needle from front to back into the stitch and slipping it off the right needle (picture 4).

A running stitch is one that has dropped more than one row. It is easiest to pick it up with a crochet hook. For a knit stitch, be sure the loose horizontal strands are in back of the dropped stitch (picture 1). Insert the hook into the stitch from front to back. Catch the first horizontal strand and pull it through. Continue up until you have worked all the strands. Place the newest stitch on the left needle, making sure it is not backwards (picture 2). Before picking up a dropped purl stitch several rows below, be sure that the loose horizontal strands are in front of the stitch (picture 3). Insert the hook into the stitch from back to front. Pull the loose through the stitch. Continue up until you have worked all the strands. Place the newest stitch on the left needle, making sure it is not backwards (picture 4).

An incomplete knit or purl stitch is one where the yarn is wrapped around the needle but not pulled through the stitch. The picture 1 shows an incomplete stitch from the previous purl row. Work to the incomplete stitch. Insert the right needle from back to front into the stitch on the left needle and pull it over the strand and off the needle (picture 2). Check how the incomplete stitch from the previous knit row looks (picture 3). Insert the right needle into the stitch on the left needle and pull it over the strand and off the needle (picture 4).