Dropped Stitches in Knitting: What They Are, Why They Happen, and How to Fix Them
- Silly Monkey Knits
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Few things make a knitter’s heart sink faster than noticing a long vertical gap forming in their work. You pause, stare at your needles, and wonder, “What just happened?”
Chances are, you’ve encountered a dropped stitch.
Dropped stitches are one of the most common knitting mistakes—especially for beginners. The good news? They’re also one of the easiest mistakes to fix once you understand what’s going on.
This guide will walk you through exactly what a dropped stitch is, why it happens, how to fix it, and how to prevent it in the future, even if you’re brand new to knitting.
What Is a Dropped Stitch?
A dropped stitch happens when a stitch slips completely off your needle and is no longer being held in place. Because knitting is built stitch-on-top-of-stitch, that loose stitch begins to unravel downward, creating a ladder-like gap in your fabric.
Unlike yarn splitting (where the yarn is damaged but still part of the stitch), a dropped stitch is no longer secured at all.
What it looks like:
A long vertical gap or “ladder”
A loose loop hanging lower than the rest
A stitch that looks like it’s falling apart
The earlier you catch it, the easier it is to fix.
Why Dropped Stitches Are So Common for Beginners
If you’re new to knitting and keep dropping stitches, you’re not doing anything wrong. Dropped stitches usually happen because of small, normal habits that beginners haven’t learned to manage yet.
Let’s look at the most common reasons.
Common Reasons Stitches Get Dropped
1. Stitches Slip Off the Needle
This is the #1 cause.
If your needle tip is smooth or slippery, stitches can easily slide off—especially when you set your work down or shift your hands.
This happens more often when:
Using metal needles
Knitting loosely
Working near the needle tips
Pausing mid-row
2. Loose Knitting Tension
Loose tension creates bigger loops, which are easier to accidentally slip off the needle.
While tight knitting has its own issues, very loose knitting increases the chance of dropped stitches, especially at the beginning and end of rows.
3. Getting Distracted While Knitting
Knitting while watching TV, talking, or multitasking can cause you to:
Forget to complete a stitch
Slide the needle out too far
Miss that a stitch fell off
Dropped stitches often happen without you noticing in the moment.
4. Setting Your Work Down Without Securing It
If you put your knitting down and the needles slide out of the stitches, those stitches have nothing holding them in place.
This is especially common with:
Circular needles
Slippery yarn
Smooth needle materials
5. Yarn That’s Slippery or Smooth
Some yarns don’t “grip” themselves well. Cotton, bamboo, silk, and some acrylics are more likely to slip off needles than wool.
For beginners, these yarns can increase dropped stitches until technique improves.
How to Spot a Dropped Stitch Early
Catching a dropped stitch quickly makes fixing it much easier.
Look for:
A loose loop hanging below your row
A vertical gap forming in the fabric
One column of stitches looking “open” or laddered
Tip: If something looks wrong, stop and check immediately. Knitting does not magically fix itself later.
How to Fix a Dropped Stitch (Beginner Method)
Let’s walk through this step by step.
Step 1: Don’t Panic (Seriously)
Dropped stitches look dramatic, but they’re fixable. Take a breath.
Step 2: Secure the Dropped Stitch
Before it unravels further:
Use a crochet hook, spare needle, or even a paperclip
Insert it through the loose loop to stop it from dropping more
Step 3: Identify How Far It Dropped
Look at the vertical ladder above the loose loop. Each horizontal bar is a row that needs to be fixed.
Step 4: Pick the Stitch Back Up
Using a crochet hook or knitting needle:
Insert the hook through the dropped loop from front to back
Grab the lowest horizontal strand above it
Pull that strand through the loop
Repeat this process row by row until you reach the current row
This is called “laddering up” a stitch.
Step 5: Put the Stitch Back on the Needle
Once the stitch is back at the correct height:
Place it back on the needle
Make sure it’s oriented the same way as your other stitches
You’re back in business 🎉
What If the Dropped Stitch Is Several Rows Down?
Still fixable!
As long as the stitch hasn’t broken:
Secure it
Ladder it back up slowly
Take your time
Dropped stitches do not require ripping out rows unless the yarn is damaged.
When You Might Leave a Dropped Stitch
In rare cases (like textured or fuzzy yarn), the dropped stitch may be:
Very small
Not noticeable
Hard to fix without disrupting the fabric
In these cases, some knitters choose to:
Gently tug neighboring stitches to hide it
Secure it on the wrong side with a bit of yarn
But for beginners, learning to fix it is always worth it.
How to Prevent Dropped Stitches
Once you know why stitches drop, prevention becomes much easier.
✔️ Use Needle Stoppers
These little caps go on needle tips and prevent stitches from sliding off when you pause.
✔️ Knit a Bit More Tightly (But Not Too Tight)
Aim for consistent tension, not loose loops.
✔️ Avoid Knitting Too Close to the Needle Tip
Work your stitches a bit further down the needle shaft where they’re more stable.
✔️ Secure Your Work When You Stop
If you set your knitting down:
Slide stitches onto the cable (for circular needles)
Use needle stoppers
Place it in a project bag
✔️ Choose Beginner-Friendly Yarn
Wool or wool-blend yarns grip better and are more forgiving than smooth fibers.
Dropped Stitch vs Split Stitch (Quick Clarification)
Beginners often confuse these two.
Dropped stitch: The stitch falls off the needle and unravels
Split stitch: The needle pierces the yarn strands but the stitch is still there
Dropped stitches unravel. Split stitches look messy but stay intact.
Final Thoughts: Dropped Stitches Are Part of Learning
Every knitter—yes, every single one—has dropped stitches. It’s not a failure. It’s a normal part of learning how stitches behave and how fabric is formed.
Once you fix your first dropped stitch, something amazing happens: knitting becomes less scary and more empowering.
Instead of panic, you’ll think, “I know how to fix this.” And that’s a big step forward.
Dropped stitches don’t mean you’re bad at knitting. They mean you’re learning.
Happy knitting 🧶💛