The Best Ways to Fix Dropped Stitches in Knitting

For both beginner and experienced knitters, a dropped stitch can be a frustrating and common occurrence.

Whether you're working on a scarf, sweater, or any other project, seeing a stitch slip off your needle can feel like a setback.

Fortunately, dropped stitches don’t have to ruin your work or slow you down. There are various methods to recover those stitches and keep your project on track.

Identifying the Issue

The first step in fixing a dropped stitch is identifying when and where it happened.

If you’ve been knitting for a while without noticing, the dropped stitch might have unraveled down several rows. The more quickly you catch it, the easier it will be to repair.

However, even if you spot it after several rows, don’t panic—there are still effective techniques to fix it.

1. Use a Crochet Hook to Pick Up the Dropped Stitch

One of the best ways is to use a crochet hook. A crochet hook allows you to easily pick up the stitch and work it back up to your current row without disrupting the rest of your stitches.

• Step 1: Find the last loop that unraveled, which will look like a small ladder between your rows.
• Step 2: Insert your crochet hook through the loop of the dropped stitch.
• Step 3: One by one, pull each of the “rungs” of the ladder (the horizontal strands of yarn) through the loop on your crochet hook, effectively recreating the stitch up to the current row.
• Step 4: Once you’ve reached the current row, place the stitch back on your knitting needle.

This method works well for both stockinette stitch (knit on one side, purl on the other) and garter stitch (knit on both sides). For purl stitches, you can still use the crochet hook by inserting the hook from the back of the work to simulate a purl stitch.

2. Using a Knitting Needle to Fix the Dropped Stitch

If you don’t have a crochet hook on hand, you can also fix a dropped stitch using a knitting needle. This method is similar to the crochet hook technique but requires a bit more precision.

• Step 1: Identify the dropped stitch and the horizontal strands of yarn that unraveled (the ladder).
• Step 2: Insert your knitting needle into the dropped stitch.
• Step 3: Use the knitting needle to lift each horizontal strand, starting with the lowest one, and pull it through the dropped stitch, just as you would with a crochet hook.
• Step 4: Continue this process until the stitch is back to the current row, then place it on your needle.

While this method is effective, it’s slightly more time-consuming than using a crochet hook. 

Fixing a Dropped Stitch Several Rows Down

Sometimes, you might not notice a dropped stitch until it has unraveled several rows down.

When this happens, there are still ways to fix it without having to undo all your knitting.

1. Dropped Stitch in Stockinette Stitch

If the stitch dropped multiple rows in stockinette stitch (knit on one side, purl on the other), follow these steps:

• Step 1: Use a crochet hook or knitting needle to pick up the dropped stitch.
• Step 2: For knit rows, pull each horizontal strand of yarn through the stitch from front to back.
• Step 3: For purl rows, pull each strand of yarn from back to front to replicate the purl stitch.
• Step 4: Continue until the stitch is back at the current row, then place it back on your needle.

2. Dropped Stitch in Garter Stitch

In the garter stitch, where every row is knitted, you can use the same method, but you only need to knit the stitch back up.

Simply pull each horizontal strand through the dropped stitch, knitting each row until you’re back to your current position.

3. Dropped Stitch in Ribbing or More Complex Patterns

For ribbing (knit and purl stitches alternating), the process becomes slightly more complex.

You’ll need to carefully track whether the dropped stitch was a knit or purl stitch in each row. Use the crochet hook or needle to alternately pick up knit and purl stitches, following the pattern of your work.

This requires a bit more attention but is still very achievable and one of the best ways to fix dropped stitches in knitting for more intricate designs.

Securing the Dropped Stitch Without Undoing Rows

If you’re working on a large project and don’t want to risk unraveling your work, you can secure a dropped stitch in place instead of knitting it back up right away.

This technique is especially useful when you’re in the middle of a row and don’t want to lose your rhythm.

1. Use a Stitch Marker

Once you’ve noticed the dropped stitch, you can use a stitch marker or safety pin to hold it in place temporarily.

This prevents it from unraveling further while you finish your row or round. Afterward, you can come back and fix the stitch using one of the methods mentioned earlier.

2. Weaving the Dropped Stitch

In some cases, if the dropped stitch is very far down and not easily accessible, you can use a tapestry needle to weave the loose yarn back into your work.

This method secures the dropped stitch in place, but it won’t restore the original stitch structure.

However, for some projects, this may be a perfectly acceptable way to maintain the appearance and stability of your work without having to unravel multiple rows.

By keeping calm, identifying the dropped stitch quickly, and using tools like a crochet hook or knitting needle, you can seamlessly repair your work and continue with your project.

With time and practice, fixing dropped stitches will become second nature, ensuring that your knitting projects remain smooth, beautiful, and frustration-free.

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