Fix Slipped Knit Stitches

Learn to fix slipped knit stitches in this knitting lesson about spotting and repairing mistakes from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Before you can fix slipped knit stitches, you will need to know what they are and how to spot them.

If you move a live stitch from needle to needle without working into it, you have slipped a stitch.

When you slip a stitch accidentally, it will alter the weave of your finished object. Slipped stitches will appear as enlarged stitches on the knitside of your work. When you stretch your work a bit, you will see that your rows no longer line up correctly around that extra-large stitch.

Learn to spot slipped knit stitches then fix the mistake with this knitting lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

When you turn to the purlside, there will be a loose and misplaced loop among the purl stitches; this is the stitch that was not worked with the rest of its row. 

Learn to spot slipped knit stitches then fix the mistake with this knitting lesson from Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Below are video and written guides, which will help you learn to spot, then fix slipped knit stitches.

Video Guide: Common Knitting Mistakes, Fixing Slipped Knit Stitches

Written Guide: Fixing Slipped Knit Stitches

Once you have spotted a slipped stitch in a prior row, you can fix it before you bind off your work. You can fix a slipped stitch from either the knitside or the purlside of your work. Below, I’ll show you how to fix the mistake from the purlside.

Step 1: How to fix slipped knit stitches, a knitting lesson with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Fix a Slipped Stitch, Step 1:

Continue working your pattern until you reach the column in which you have slipped a stitch.

Step 2: How to fix slipped knit stitches, a knitting lesson with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Fix a Slipped Stitch, Step 2:

When you reach the stitch at the top of the column in which the mistake is located, carefully slide it off the left-hand needle tip.

Step 3: How to fix slipped knit stitches, a knitting lesson with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Fix a Slipped Stitch, Step 3:

Pull gently on the stitch you just dropped off the needle, unraveling the column of stitches only until you reach your mistake.

Step 4: How to fix slipped knit stitches, a knitting lesson with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Fix a Slipped Stitch, Step 4:

When working from the purlside, place the slipped stitch behind the “ladder” of undone stitches.

Step 5: How to fix slipped knit stitches, a knitting lesson with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Fix a Slipped Stitch, Step 5:

Insert your crochet hook into the slipped stitch from the back to the front. Be sure your stitch is not twisted by confirming that the legs are not crossed.

Step 6: How to fix slipped knit stitches, a knitting lesson with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Fix a Slipped Stitch, Step 6:

With the crochet hook, grab the strand directly above the twisted stitch.

Step 7: How to fix slipped knit stitches, a knitting lesson with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Fix a Slipped Stitch, Step 7:

Pull the hook and the strand of yarn through the loop on the crochet hook; this will chain the strand through the newly untwisted stitch.

Step 8: How to fix slipped knit stitches, a knitting lesson with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Fix a Slipped Stitch, Step 8:

Continue pulling the strands of yarn directly through the loop on the crochet hook until no more strands remain in the “ladder” of loose stitches. Always check that each corrected stitch is not twisted before you move on to the next.

Step 9: How to fix slipped knit stitches, a knitting lesson with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Fix a Slipped Stitch, Step 9:

Once you have reached the top of your work, ensure no loose strands remain above or behind the column you have just corrected.

Step 10: How to fix slipped knit stitches, a knitting lesson with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Fix a Slipped Stitch, Step 10:

Move the loop from your crochet hook to the left-hand knitting needle.

Step 11: How to fix slipped knit stitches, a knitting lesson with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Fix a Slipped Stitch, Step 11:

To prevent twisted stitches, be sure the right leg is in front of the needle and the left leg is behind the needle. 

Step 12: How to fix slipped knit stitches, a knitting lesson with Liz @PurlsAndPixels.

Fix a Slipped Stitch, Step 12:

Check that you have corrected the problem, then continue working on your pattern.

Practice With My Knitting Patterns

Basic Washcloth and Face Scrubby knitting pattern by Liz @PurlsAndPixels

In this guide I was making a Simple Face Scrubby. Knit along with me. This pattern is part of my Simple Washcloth Knitting Pattern Collection.

Learn to fix slipped knit stitches in this knitting lesson about spotting and repairing mistakes from Liz Chandler @PurlsAndPixels.

Up Next

After you have learned to fix your knitting mistakes, you may want to know how to unravel a few rows to correct a problem. Or you can undo an entire knitting project to reuse the yarn. Either way, knitters call this “frogging,” and I will show you how in the next tutorial.

Go Back to the Learn to Knit Index

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