Knitting · Beginner · 15-30 minutes

Fix Mistakes

Every knitter makes mistakes, and most are easy to fix. Count your stitches often so you catch problems early. You can unknit a few stitches, catch a dropped stitch with a crochet hook, or pull out rows and try again.

You'll need

Your knitting
Crochet hook about the same size as your needles (or a little smaller)
Stitch marker or safety pin (optional)

Step by step

Tick each step as you go if you like; ticks stay on this device.

Count your stitchesAt the end of each row, count the stitches on the needle. If the number changed, look back for the problem.
Unknit (tink) one stitch at a timePut the left needle tip into the stitch just below the first stitch on the right needle. Slide the right needle out and gently pull the yarn free. Repeat until you are back before the mistake. 'Tink' is 'knit' spelled backward.
Catch a dropped stitchIf a stitch falls off and runs down, you'll see a ladder of loose bars. Hold the knit (V) side toward you and put the crochet hook through the loose stitch from front to back.
Climb the ladderHook the lowest bar and pull it through the loop. Repeat with each bar, one at a time, until you reach the top.
Put it back on the needleSlip the stitch onto the left needle with its right side (leg) in front so it isn't twisted. Then keep knitting.
Rip out several rowsFor a mistake far down, slide the needle out and gently pull the yarn to unravel to just above the mistake. Pick the stitches back up one at a time, each with its right leg in front.

Tips

A dropped stitch that hasn't run down can just be slipped back onto the needle.
In garter stitch the rows alternate smooth and bumpy, so you may need to hook some bars from the back. Ripping back is often easier.

If something goes wrong

Problem	Fix
A stitch looks crossed or twisted.	It went back on the needle the wrong way. Slip it off and put it back with the right leg in front, or drop it down and hook it back up.
There's a hole in the fabric.	Unravel back to the row above the hole and knit those rows again.

Safe habits

Keep crochet hooks, needles, and stitch markers away from babies and toddlers.

Sources

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