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How To Fix A Dropped Knit Stitch 10 Rows Down

How To Fix A Dropped Knit Stitch 10 Rows Down

Liat Gat - Founder

January 7, 2011

If you've dropped a knit stitch (or more than one), and it's way down there, that's okay. Here's how to rescue your dropped stitches no matter how far down they are - all without a crochet hook.

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Whoops! So you’ve messed up your knitting – bad.

You’ve got a dropped knit stitch (or more than one), and it’s way down there.

That’s okay! After you watch this video, you won’t care how far down your stitches have gone – I’m going to teach you how to rescue them!

You don’t need a crochet hook, either.

Thanks to Biancopus in the KnitFreedom Forum for suggesting this video!

[KnitFreedom] Picking Up Dropped Knit Stitches 10 Rows Down
[KnitFreedom] Picking Up Dropped Knit Stitches 10 Rows Down

If you liked this tutorial on fixing a dropped knit stitch 10 rows down, post in the comments!

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Liat Gat - Founder

Hi, I’m Liat! If you’ve ever felt stuck, confused, or frustrated by knitting patterns, you’re not alone – and I can help.

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When I’m not knitting, I’m geeking out designing task management systems in FileMaker (yes, really!). I’m so glad you’re here — welcome to KnitFreedom!

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48 thoughts on “How To Fix A Dropped Knit Stitch 10 Rows Down”

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  3. Effie

    a very reassuring tutorial, thank you!

    Do you have a similar tutorial for dropped brioche or fisherman’s rib stitches? especially colored brioche or fisherman’s rib?

    Reply
  4. carla

    Thank you so much for this video!! I am a newer knitter and have been tearing everything out (sometimes an entire project) because I didn’t know how to fix a dropped stitch even one row back let alone 8 or 10 rows back. Thank you – Thank you – Thank you!!!

    Reply
  5. Sherry

    This is great! Can’t wait to try it and I know I’ll create opportunities to do that. I expect it to be more difficult when I’m working on a pattern–I’m knitting a gansey–but I’ll look at the video for picking up purl stitches. Thanks!!

    Reply
  7. malacandra

    This is a great video. Is there one that helps when the knitted texture is not stockinette, such as gartered stitches, cabled stitches, etc? On some items I seem to do as much tinking as knitting! Thanks.

    Reply
    1. Liat Gat - Founder

      Hi there, thanks so much!
      Yes I have a video on fixing dropped stitches on Garter stitch here: https://www.knitfreedom.com/blog/dropped-garter-stitch/
      Also I have a video on fixing any combination of dropped stitches (this is really fun and advanced). It’s part of our Fearless Knitter class, it’s at the bottom of this page: https://www.knitfreedom.com/my-classes/fearless-knitter/stitch-combination-projects/ch-20-project-man-stitch-scarf/
      You can access the class by getting a membership here: https://www.knitfreedom.com#choose-your-plan.
      Cheers,
      Liat

      Reply
  8. Jennie Moore

    Holy smokes, Liat! This is amazing info! I have ALWAYS struggled with a crochet hook when I’ve dropped a stitch. Now I won’t have to use one ever again. Thanks so much for another great tip!

    Reply
  10. Linda Sumser

    I love this technique. It is so helpful to not having to stop and look for a crochet hoof. How do you pick up a purl stitch without a hook.?

    Reply
  12. esseike

    Leading leg front/back of the left needle depends on your knitting style – – please clarify that it is NOT WRONG unless it contrasts with the stitches on either side

    Reply
    1. Elias - KnitFreedom Customer Happiness

      Hi Esseike,

      I’m going to be passing your question along to Liat, but I want to let you know that she is currently on maternity leave (she is expecting her baby very soon) and will be taking up to 1-2 weeks to answer.

      Thanks so much for your patience and understanding!

      Best,
      Elias

      Reply
  13. Judith Tumin

    Great technique. Better than crochet hook and much better than using the tip of the knitting needle to pick up. Can you show with purling too?

    Reply
  14. Maria

    I need help with dropped SLIP stitch. I ripped out The Shift cowl about six times. I get double ladders and stitches are discombobulated. This happen when knitting a mosaic pattern. I understand this happens in a two row repeat. Cannot find help.
    Please help. Thank you.

    Reply
    1. Mary Claire Phillips - KnitFreedom Knitting Expert

      Hi Maria!

      It sounds like you’re having a really rough time on those slipped stitches. I would love to help you figure this out so you can get your The Shift cowl knitted! This is a pretty specific question and I’d need to see a photo of your knitting mistake to be able to coach you through it.

      We offer knitting help on any pattern and project to our Premium Lifetime and Monthly members. Please consider signing up here and we can get to investigating your question!

      https://www.knitfreedom.com/premium/

      Thanks,
      Mary Claire

      Reply
    1. Candy Franks – KnitFreedom Customer Happiness

      Hello Ruth,
      Thank you for your lovely message. I will certainly pass it on to Liat. (she is presently on maternity leave)
      Happy Knitting
      Candy

      Reply
  16. Tara S

    I dropped a stitch in a rough textured yarn, which means it didn’t unravel. It just poked out of my legwarmer and went unnoticed when I knit another round and I unknowingly had 1 less stitch on my needles. Now, 10 rows up, I have noticed the darn thing. There are no ladders help me. What should I do? Please don’t ask me to rip it down to the affected row. I beg you!

    Reply
  17. Chris

    Wait, WHAT? I watched this video five times and was still lost. It goes too fast, and it is sometimes hard to see what you’re doing. I tried to follow it but couldn’t and had to rip out two hours of work (more than I originally messed up) due to making things even worse by trying to follow your instructions. Major disaster, incredibly frustrating!

    Reply
    1. Liat Gat - Founder

      Hey Chris, I’m really sorry that this video didn’t help you. And that you had to rip out more does sound really frustrating. I know you’re upset and that the video didn’t help when you were hoping it would.

      If you have time later, apart from the project you’re working on, it might be worthwhile to knit a very small swatch and practice this technique. I recommend just dropping one stitch, then picking it up. Next, drop the the same stitch down one row, and fix it. Continue practicing by dropping the stitch down two, then three, then four rows, and picking it back all the way up.

      I hope this helps!

      Reply
  18. Bonnie King

    I am knitting a shawl beginning it again and thought I was watching each repeat to make sure the lace pattern was correct. One on the sections is all off.

    How do I un knit a section bc the pattern is off?

    Can I send you a photo and the pattern?

    Reply
    1. Liat Gat - Founder

      Hi Bonnie,

      Great to hear from you! I’m sorry your shawl got all messed up on one part. This will be an advanced technique for sure, but you don’t need to begin again if it’s only one section that is off.

      First, mark the row where you see that the pattern is still ok – right before the stitches got “off.” Then, remove the stitches in that section from the needle and pull out the stitches until they unravel. It may be 10 or 15 rows down – that’s ok. Put the row that is correct on your needle. You will have 10 or 15 ladders of yarn above that row.

      Look at your stitches to determine what row was just done. Was it a wrong-side or work-even row (a purl row)? If so, it will be time to do a pattern row. If you see evidence of k2togs and yos on the needle, it is probably time to do a plain (work-even) row.

      It’s important that you pinpoint where you are. Once you have, use the ladder closest above your stitches to re-knit the next row of the pattern. Repeat for each subsequent row until you have reworked all the stitches back up to the top of your knitting.

      I know it sounds crazy to do this and, worse comes to worst, you can always begin the shawl again if this doesn’t work, but I have done it MANY times and it’s totally possible.

      Good luck!

      Liat

      Reply
  19. Jen

    Some of the videos show how to run a think needle or circular needed through a row many levels down, then rip down to that point. But they show it facing a knit side. What if you alternated knit and pearl sections on the same side. I get that you need to put the needle through the right side of the knit stitch, but I have no clue where to run the needle through the pearl stitches as I’m trying to secure a lower row all the way across, then rip to taht point.

    any tips?

    Reply
  21. Cindy

    Thank you so much in the past I have made a even bigger mess and finally said the heck with it and either quit the piece or pulled all the way out!!! Thanks so much.

    Reply
  23. Ingrid

    Yeah! that was one of the mistakes that caused me the most problems. I didn’t know how to pick up 2 or more dropped stitches. But now I do so I’m going to practice that until I’m comfortable. Don’t you just love making mistakes.

    Reply
    1. liatmgat

      Hi Sherri –

      That’s wonderful! I’m so glad that the video helped you learn how to fix your dropped stitch. :) Keep up the great work!

      Reply
      1. Margaret Barlow

        Thank you so much for tutorial on dropped stitches. I always used to use a crochet hook, but your way is so much easier.

        Reply
  26. Darlene

    You saved my again!

    I’m making a pair of ML toe-up 2 at a time and have twice today dropped an edge stitch. The second drop was almost the whole COLUMN of stitches. I was able to get it put back on and it looks fine.

    Reply
  28. Rae Haller

    I understand how to do this now, but I have a question. Does the process change, or how does it change if the dropped stitches were purls, not knits? I tried this on a scarf I was knitting, was practicing the continental method, but dropped a stitch, however, even though I knew how to fix it, I could not because the yarn was boucle and I could not find the stitch. This would have freaked me out before your video, but thanks to you, I did not freak this time, I just took them all out, row by row, and picked up each stitch. I had to go down 4 rows, but was able to do it, and when I went to knit/purl them back on, I was very excited that I really could tell if the stitch was facing the correct way. Thanks again, Rae

    Reply
    1. liatmgat

      Hi Rae! I’m so glad my videos helped you! And UGH on picking up dropped stitches on boucle yarn. You must have been very persistent to fix that. Nice work!

      If it’s a purl stitch that you’ve dropped, here’s my tip – turn your work around and fix the stitch AS IF it’s a knit stitch. Then, turn your work back around and continue!

      Reply
      1. Haiden

        I dropped a knit stitch at the edge then I couldn’t figure out how to fix it. So I just left it there. Can you help me???
        Thank you,
        Haiden

        Reply
        1. Candy Franks – KnitFreedom Customer Happiness

          Hello Haiden,
          I found several videos on YouTube. Just search “dropped stitch on edge of knitting” You should be able to find one that will help you fix it.
          Happy New Year
          Candy

          Reply

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Fix Knitting Mistakes Fast — Free Video Guide

Learn how to avoid the 10 most common beginner mistakes and knit with confidence.

  • Rescue dropped stitches without panic
  • Stop knitting too tight
  • Fix ribbing, gauge, and bind-offs like a pro
  • Knit confidently, knowing you can fix mistakes fast
Top Ten 10 Mistakes All Self Taught Knitters Make Book Cover