Dropping a stitch is one of the most common knitting mishaps, and it happens to every knitter at every skill level. The good news is that a dropped stitch is almost always fixable — and learning to fix one confidently is a skill that will save countless projects over your knitting life. The method described here uses a crochet hook, which makes the process far more controlled than trying to reinsert your knitting needle directly.
Pro tip: The most important thing when you notice a dropped stitch is to stop knitting immediately. Every row you continue adds another ladder rung to climb, and the longer the ladder, the more patient you'll need to be. Put a locking stitch marker into the live loop so it can't unravel further while you retrieve your crochet hook.
Step-by-step guide
- Identify the dropped stitch and count how many rows it has unraveled — the horizontal strands between the columns are your ladders.
- Insert a crochet hook (same size as your needle gauge, or one size smaller) through the live loop from front to back on a knit row.
- Catch the lowest horizontal ladder strand with the hook and pull it through the live loop — this recreates one knit stitch.
- Repeat for every ladder strand, working upward row by row, always catching the strand directly above the current loop.
- Once you've worked through all the ladders, place the recovered stitch back onto your left needle in the correct orientation (leading leg at the front).
- Work across to the stitch and knit it as normal. Check the column for any remaining irregularities and tug gently to even out the tension.
Recognising a dropped stitch before it unravels
The earlier you catch a dropped stitch, the easier the fix. Look for an unexpected hole in your fabric, or a horizontal run of loose strands below a column that appears shorter than its neighbours. On stocking stitch the run is obvious — you'll see a series of horizontal bars, one for each row the stitch has descended. On garter stitch, both knit and purl bars are involved, so take the fix slowly and alternate your hook direction row by row.
Which crochet hook size to use
A hook one size smaller than your knitting needle usually gives the most control. The hook needs to fit cleanly through the stitch loop without stretching it, but still grab the ladder strand without difficulty. For fine lace yarn a 2.0 mm or 2.25 mm hook is ideal; for chunky yarn a 6.0 mm or 8.0 mm hook works well. In a pinch, a pencil or cable needle can substitute for one or two rows, but a crochet hook is the right tool for the job.
Fixing a dropped stitch in ribbing
Ribbing alternates knit and purl columns, so the fix must alternate direction too. On a knit column, insert the hook from front to back and pull the ladder through from front to back. On a purl column, push the hook through from back to front and pull the ladder through in the same direction. Work slowly and check each stitch after you create it — a twisted stitch in ribbing is very visible and will need to be corrected before moving on.
What to do if the stitch has dropped many rows
If the stitch has descended five or more rows it can feel daunting, but the process is identical — it just takes longer. Secure the live loop with a locking marker, then work methodically upward one strand at a time. If the ladder strands have become very loose and jumbled, lay your work flat and use a blunt tapestry needle to sort them into order before you start hooking. Patience and good light are your best tools for a long descent.