Dropped stitches in knitting do not need to be feared. They happen to every knitter in the blink of an eye and can be fixed easily. But did you know that dropped stitches are also a knitting technique? Get your knitting needles and yarn ready because we're about to dive into a craft-tastic knitting adventure.
First, let’s unlock the secrets behind fixing those pesky dropped stitches that have left us scratching our heads. And we'll also discover how to deliberately use these daring design elements in knitting patterns, such as the “Fan and Feather” and brioche patterns.
What is a dropped stitch?
In knitting, a dropped stitch is a situation where a stitch that should be securely held on your knitting needle unintentionally unravels and drops down a row or more. This typically happens when the yarn is not adequately worked into the stitch or when one stitch accidentally slips over the needle tip while you are already working on the next stitch.
When a stitch is dropped, it leaves a ladder-like appearance on the knitted fabric as the yarn runs down through the adjacent stitches. If left unaddressed, the dropped stitch can cause further issues in the knitting project, as it can continue to unravel and create a hole in the fabric.
How to find and repair a dropped stitch?
Fixing a dropped stitch is essential to prevent unraveling, maintain tension balance, and preserve the integrity of the surrounding stitches. Resist the temptation to unravel your entire work on your knitting needles just to reach the dropped stitch, which could lead to further chaos, and more dropped stitches. Instead, we'll explore a simple and effective method to address this issue using simple utility tools such as a rescue hook and a lockable stitch marker. Let's unravel the mystery of dropped stitches in stockinette knitting first:
Identify the dropped stitch: Look for the loose vertical thread running down through the stitches.
Use a repair crochet hook: Insert a crochet hook from the right side of the fabric into the lowest stitch where the yarn is still secure (usually the stitch just below the dropped one).
Work the dropped stitch back up: Catch the loose yarn from the dropped stitch with the repair hook and pull it through the stitch above, repeating this process until you've worked the dropped stitch back up to the working needle.
Adjust tension: Make sure the tension is even and matches the surrounding stitches.
Doublecheck: Once the dropped stitch is securely back on the knitting needle, double-check your stitch count and continue as usual. Regularly checking your work while knitting can help you quickly catch and fix any dropped stitches.
Fixing dropped stitches in a purl stitch pattern is simple, too. Just turn your work around and address the issue from the backside (the knit side). In a garter stitch pattern, fixing dropped stitches requires flipping your work for each row. Since a knit stitch appears as a purl stitch from the other side, use the rescue hook to create a knit stitch on the knit side of the pattern, ensuring it's not twisted. Alternatively, you can alternate pulling the loop through from behind the rows, knitting and purling without flipping the item.
Even when working on a colourwork pattern with multiple yarn colors, you can repair dropped stitches without unraveling your work. To address the dropped stitch, use a lockable stitch markerto secure it and continue knitting until you reach that point in your pattern.
Carefully unravel stitches left and right until you reach the row marked with the dropped stitch. Place all dropped stitches on a smaller knitting needle, such as a cable needle. Then stretch out your work, identifying the color strands to ensure they match the rows you need to work back.
Using a dropped stitch as a technique
There are knitting patterns that intentionally incorporate dropped stitches as a design element. Dropped stitch patterns create open, airy fabric with a unique, textured look. These patterns are often used for summer shawls, wraps, or Tees. The "Feather and Fan" or "Old Shale" pattern creates a wavy, undulating effect.
Feather and Fan knitting pattern Instructions:
Step 1: Cast on an even number of stitches (e.g., 20, 30, 40, etc.).
Row 1: *K1, yo, k2tog; repeat from * to the end of the row.
Rows 2 and 4: Knit all stitches.
Row 3: Knit all stitches, but let the extra yarn from the yarn-overs in the previous row drop off the needle, creating elongated stitches. Repeat until your scarf reaches the desired length.
Dropped stitches can also be used in brioche knitting patterns to create unique squishy effects. Brioche knitting is a unique and reversible technique that works with yarn overs and slipped stitches to create a lofty and highly textured fabric.
Here, the stitch pattern creates a ribbed fabric with a characteristic and pronounced "brioche rib" look. When working brioche rib, you let the knit stitches drop in every row while purling all stitches as usual. This technique is known as "dropping down" in brioche knitting.
Accidentally dropped stitches happen to newbies and experts alike and are simply part of the enchanting journey that is knitting. You can fix them easily using professional KnitPro utility tools. And you can embrace dropped stitches as a technique for airy lace or brioche stitch patterns making each stitch-filled adventure a one-of-a-kind work of art.
