The Top 5 Knitting Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)

Knitting is one of the most rewarding crafting experiences out there… but let’s be honest: we’ve all made mistakes.

Every dropped stitch, twisted row and “wait… why is this getting wider?” moment is part of the journey.

The good news? Most mistakes are easy to fix once you know what you’re looking for. Here are the top five knitting mistakes we see and exactly how to fix them so you can stitch with confidence.

1. Accidentally Adding (or Losing) Stitches

If your project is mysteriously getting wider or narrower, this is usually the culprit.

Why It Happens

• Accidentally knitting into the strand between stitches

• Splitting yarn and creating an unintended loop

• Missing the last stitch on a row

• Accidentally knitting the tail

How to Fix It

• Count your stitches every few rows. It’s the simplest prevention strategy.

• If you see an extra stitch, count the stitches on the rows below to see at which point the extra stitch showed up. Depending on what you're making and how noticeable it is, you may be able to just knit two together in the middle of the next row. Otherwise, you can frog (rip your knitting back) or tink (knit backwards) until you get to the place where you created the extra stitch.

• If you’re missing a stitch and can see where it's been dropped, use a crochet hook to pull the loose ladder back up stitch by stitch and place it onto the needle. If you can't see exactly where you've dropped the stitch, you may have knitted two stitches together. As above, you can either then increase a stitch in the middle of the row if it isn't obvious or frog or tink back to the place where the extra stitch was created.

Pro Tip

Stitch markers can be used on your needle every 10 or 20 stitches, so you can better pinpoint where a mistake might have occurred, especially if you're frequently faced with the challenge of an incorrect stitch count!

2. Twisted Stitches

Stitches sitting the wrong way on the needle can create uneven tension or unwanted texture.

Why It Happens

• Picking up stitches backwards after dropping them or after frogging

• Switching between knitting styles

• Not noticing the “direction” of the stitch legs

How to Fix It

Make sure each stitch sits on the needle with the right leg at the front. If it’s reversed, simply slip it off and rotate it before knitting.

Pro Tip

Twisted stitches aren’t always “wrong”. Some patterns intentionally use them for decorative texture! We like to knit into the back of the stitch on the first row to create a neat foundation for our knitting.

3. Uneven Tension

Loose, tight, loose, tight… the classic “rollercoaster fabric.”

Why It Happens

• Knitting while tired, stressed or distracted (guilty! 🙋‍♀️)

• Accidentally switching needles mid-project

• Holding tension inconsistently around your fingers

• Changing knitting styles mid-project (eg. English or Continental)

How to Fix It

• Try knitting a small swatch to reset your rhythm before working on your project.

• Relax your shoulders and hands. Do some gentle stretches and take some deep breaths to reset your nervous system. Your whole body affects your tension.

• Use wooden needles for slippery yarns and metal needles for sticky yarns to balance grip.

• Keep a consistent technique throughout your project.

Pro Tip

Blocking can help even out minor tension inconsistencies.

4. Laddering or Gaps Between Stitches

You might notice this when working in the round with DPNs, especially between needle transitions.

Why It Happens

• Loose tension at the end or beginning of each needle

• Yarn not pulled snugly when switching needles

• Using double-pointed needles for the first time

How to Fix It

• After you move to a new needle, give the first stitch a gentle snug (not a yank).

• Shift where the needles join every few rounds to avoid a permanent weak spot.

• Try using circular needles with the magic loop method for fewer tension breaks.

Pro Tip

Most ladders disappear after blocking. Don’t panic!

5. Not Reading Your Knitting

The most empowering skill in knitting? Being able to “read” your stitches.

Why It Happens

• Relying entirely on the pattern

• Not recognising the difference between knit and purl stitches or understanding increase and decrease stitches

• Losing track of your row count

How to Fix It

• Learn to identify a knit stitch (looks like a “V”) and a purl stitch (a little bump).

• Use stitch markers between pattern repeats.

• Take a photo or quick note at the end of each session to track where you’re up to.

• If you make a mistake several rows back:

  • Consider frogging (ripping back) the last few rows or;

  • If you’re comfortable, drop down just the column with the error and re-knit it correctly.

Pro Tip

The more you read your stitches, the fewer mistakes you’ll make. It builds confidence fast.

We're Not Meant to be Perfect!

Some Knitting Mistakes Don't Need Fixing

If you're entering your item in a competition, you might be striving for perfection. But if you're just knitting because you love it, learn to love your mistakes too! Sometimes a mistake might become a design feature. It might not even be noticable in the finished garment. Some mistakes can be covered up with a knitted or crocheted flower or an embroidered motif. Letting go of perfection can be a liberating skill to have in your knitter's toolkit!

Remember! Mistakes are Part of the Magic

Every knitter, from beginners to lifelong pros, makes mistakes. They’re not signs of failure; they’re indicators of growth. Every wonky row teaches your hands something new. Every dropped stitch builds resilience. And every successful fix expands your fibre confidence.

So next time something goes sideways, breathe. Reassess. Untangle. And try again.Your yarn will wait for you, and your project will be all the more meaningful for the journey!