Quick fix: If the twisted stitch is on the current row, slip it back to the left needle purlwise, then re-knit through the front leg only. For a stitch several rows back, drop the column and re-work it upward with a crochet hook, inserting the hook front-to-back each time.
What you are seeing
One or more stitches look noticeably tighter and narrower than their neighbours. The legs of the stitch are crossed rather than open, creating a visible twisted column that stands out from the surrounding fabric.
Why it happens
- A stitch was slipped knitwise when it should have been slipped purlwise, rotating it on the needle.
- A stitch was mounted with the leading leg at the back rather than the front.
- Knitting through the back loop (tbl) when the pattern calls for a plain knit stitch.
- A dropped stitch was picked up and remounted backwards.
Fix it now
- Identify the twisted stitches — they have crossed legs when viewed from the front of the work.
- If on the current row: slip the stitch back to the left needle purlwise, then re-knit through the front leg.
- If one row back: tink (unknit) back to the stitch and re-work it correctly.
- If several rows back: drop the column deliberately down to the error row.
- Re-work the column upward with a crochet hook, inserting the hook front-to-back through each stitch to maintain correct orientation.
Prevent it next time
- Always check stitch orientation before knitting — the leading leg (the one closer to the needle tip) should sit at the front of the needle.
- If the leading leg is at the back, the stitch is mounted backwards: slip it purlwise to correct it before knitting.
- When picking up dropped stitches, confirm the orientation is correct before re-mounting.