9 Common Knitting Mistakes (And How to Fix Them)

Mistakes are a natural part of knitting, but they don’t have to derail your project! Whether you’re struggling with dropped stitches, uneven tension, or twisted stitches, we’ve got simple solutions to keep your knitting smooth and stress-free

Knitting is one of life’s great pleasures - a meditative, creative act that brings joy, relaxation and a sense of accomplishment but also sometimes...a little bit of frustration. Whether you're a seasoned pro or just casting on for the first time, mistakes are inevitable. But here’s the good news: every knitter, no matter their experience, has been there before!

In this guide, we’ll explore some of the most common knitting mistakes (and a few you might not even realise you’re making) and how to fix them. Whether you’re untangling a mysterious extra stitch or wondering why your project looks a little off, we’ve got you covered.

1. The Case of the Mysterious Extra (or Missing) Stitch

The Mistake

You start with 40 stitches, but somehow you end up with 42… or 38. Where did they go? Or worse, where did they come from?!

Why It Happens

This is one of the most common beginner mistakes and can be incredibly frustrating. It usually happens due to accidental yarn overs (adding extra stitches) or dropping stitches without realising. It can also occur if you're not keeping an eye on your stitch count when transitioning between rows.

How to Fix It

• Count your stitches regularly, especially at the end of each row.

• If you accidentally added a stitch, look for an unintended yarn over and simply drop it off the needle.

• If you lost a stitch, examine your work closely to find the missing loop. Use a crochet hook to pick it up before it unravels further.

• Stitch markers placed every 10 stitches can help prevent mistakes in long rows.

Extra tip: If you frequently add stitches at the edges, try slipping the first stitch of every row to create a neater edge and help maintain stitch count.

2. Tension Troubles: Too Tight, Too Loose or Just Right?

The Mistake

Your stitches are either strangling your needles or so loose they could double as lace. This inconsistency can make your finished project look uneven and misshapen.

Why It Happens

New knitters often knit too tightly because they grip the yarn and needles too hard, creating excessive tension. On the other hand, experienced knitters sometimes knit too loosely, especially if they get too relaxed with their tension.

How to Fix It

• Swatch first: Always knit a small test swatch before starting a project to see if your tension matches the pattern’s gauge. We made a video all about how to swatch perfectly.

• Check your grip: Try holding your yarn with a relaxed but controlled grip.

• Experiment with different needles: Metal needles tend to be more slippery and can help loosen tight knitting, while bamboo needles provide more friction, helping with loose tension.

• Consider your environment: Stress can cause tight knitting, while knitting while watching TV can lead to loose stitches (unless you're watching something intense!)

Bonus tip: If your hands feel tense while knitting, take breaks to stretch your fingers and wrists. A relaxed knitter is a consistent knitter!

3. Twisted Stitches

The Mistake

Your stitches look oddly twisted, making your fabric tight, uneven and difficult to work with.

Why It Happens

This happens when stitches are mounted incorrectly on the needle or when wrapping the yarn in the wrong direction. It’s especially common in continental knitting, where the yarn placement can shift if you’re not careful.

How to Fix It

• Pay close attention to how you insert your needle into the stitch. If it feels unusually tight, double-check that the stitch isn’t twisted.

• The leading leg of the stitch should be at the front of the needle unless you’re intentionally twisting stitches for a specific effect.

• If you're consistently twisting stitches, slow down and practice making clean, even stitches before increasing speed.

4. Forgetting to Check Your Gauge

The Mistake

You finish a sweater, and it looks nothing like the sample size. Either it’s too tight, too big or completely out of proportion.

Why It Happens

Ignoring gauge swatching is one of the biggest pitfalls for knitters of all levels. Every knitter has a unique tension, and even using the recommended yarn and needle size doesn’t guarantee the same outcome as the pattern designer intended.

How to Fix It

• Always knit a gauge swatch before starting a big project. It’s an extra step but will save you a lot of heartache later.

• Wash and block your swatch, as some yarns stretch or shrink after washing.

• Adjust your needle size if your gauge doesn’t match. Use smaller needles for tighter stitches, larger needles for looser ones.

Extra tip: Gauge matters more for fitted garments than scarves or blankets, but it’s always good practice to check!

5. Laddering in Magic Loop or DPNs

The Mistake

You’re knitting in the round, but there’s a noticeable gap or “ladder” where you switch between needles.

Why It Happens

Ladders occur when tension is uneven between transitions in Magic Loop or double-pointed needles. If the first stitch on a new needle is too loose, it creates a visible gap in your knitting.

How to Fix It

• Pull the first stitch tightly when switching needles to even out tension.

• Shift the start point slightly every few rounds to distribute tension more evenly.

• Use a smaller circular needle if possible. Some projects work better on 22cm circulars (like these from Chiaogoo) instead of DPNs 

Pro tip: Try knitting the first two stitches of the next needle with the previous needle before switching. This helps blend transitions more smoothly.

6. Not Reading the Pattern Properly

The Mistake

You get halfway through a project before realising you’ve been doing something completely wrong.

Why It Happens

We’ve all been guilty of skimming instructions too quickly and missing key details, leading to errors that require extensive frogging (ripping out stitches). Here's a video all about reading charts and patterns.

How to Fix It

• Read through the pattern before starting, highlighting abbreviations or sections that might be confusing.

• Look for stitch counts at the end of rows to check your progress. 

• Use lifelines for complicated patterns so you can easily rip back to a safe point without losing your work.

7. Misjudging Yarn Substitutions

The Mistake

You swap out the recommended yarn for a different one, and suddenly the drape, stretch, or stitch definition looks off.

Why It Happens

Not all yarns behave the same! Some stretch more, some are denser, and fibre content makes a big difference. Our Ultimate Guide To Yarn Weights will help you here.

How to Fix It

• Use a yarn with a similar fibre content and weight.

• If the pattern calls for a wool blend, switching to cotton might completely change the fabric.

• Always check gauge and yardage before substituting.

8. Not Blocking Your Finished Project

How to Fix It

Follow the appropriate blocking method for your yarn (wet blocking for wool, steam blocking for acrylics). Your finished piece will look polished and professional!

9. Rushing Through the Cast-Off (and Ending Too Tight)

How to Fix It

Use a larger needle for casting off or try a stretchy bind-off method for a more relaxed edge.

Final Thoughts

Mistakes are part of the knitting journey, and even the most experienced knitters have had their fair share of oops moments. The good news? Every mistake is a chance to learn! And with these fixes, you’ll be well on your way to smoother, more enjoyable knitting.

Happy knitting! 🧶