Quick fix: If caught on the same or next row, simply drop the extra YO off the needle — it's just a loop. If knitted in, work it together with the adjacent stitch using k2tog to close the hole and restore the stitch count.
What you are seeing
An unintended hole in your knitting where the yarn was accidentally brought over the needle, creating a new loop. Your stitch count is one (or more) higher than expected. The hole looks like an eyelet — fine in lace, wrong everywhere else.
Why it happens
- Moving the yarn to the front to purl then forgetting to move it back before knitting, which wraps the yarn over the needle
- Accidentally bringing the yarn over the needle while switching hand positions
- Starting a knit row with the yarn in front
Fix it now
- Identify the extra YO on the needle — it is usually thinner and looser than surrounding stitches.
- Same or next row: Slide the YO off the needle and drop it. Pull the surrounding stitches gently to close the gap.
- Already knitted in: Work to the stitch just before the hole. Work k2tog (knit the extra stitch and next stitch together) to eliminate one stitch and close the hole.
- Count stitches after the fix to confirm you're back to the correct number.
- For a small remaining hole: turn work to the wrong side, thread a matching yarn tail, and close with 1–2 tiny stitches around the hole edge.
Prevent it next time
- Before the first stitch of every row, check yarn position: behind the work for knit, in front for purl.
- Count stitches every 4–6 rows to catch extra loops before they become established holes.