Mistakes in knitting are a part of the learning curve and the more you make them, the better you learn. When you transform yarn with your knitting needles into your favorite sweater or socks, hats or a gift for a loved one, you may come across some issues. All of us have been there at one point or another making knitting mistakes. But, the trick is to know how to fix them. Many of us learn the strings of the craft with our trusted pair of single-pointed knitting needles and mostly commit mistakes working with them. So learning about the common knitting mistakes that you make when working with STNs will help you learn more about what to avoid. But, you may face new challenges when knitting in the round with either DPNs or circular knitting needles.

Stephanie Pearl-McPhee, a famous knitter also known by the name of the Yarn Harlot, writes in her book Knitting Rules, “It's only knitting and it's one of the few times in your life when there are no bad consequences to a mistake.” With this in mind, let’s walk you through the common knitting mistakes and how to fix them.

1. Choosing the Wrong Yarn or Knitting Needle Length

Choosing the wrong yarn or knitting needle is a disaster. Your project won’t turn out the way you wanted it to. So, the trick to correct this common knitting mistake is not to cast on stitches as soon as you have the pattern, but carefully choose the knitting needles and yarn and work on a small swatch. For single-pointed needles, you need to consider the needle size and the length. Even for the material if you find your stitches slipping or being too grabby, choose knitting needles and yarn material according to your requirement.

2. Not understanding your Gauge

Gauge is the count of stitches in a particular length of knitted fabric. Every pattern designer mentions the gauge and even if you follow the exact instructions, you may still have different results. It is because not all knitters stitch the same way. Some make tighter stitches while others have a very loose hand. A gauge swatch is very important for all your knitting projects and missing making one is a mistake. The gauge will indicate if you have the right knitting needle size, yarn weight and the overall look of the knitted fabric. It also helps you calculate the amount of yarn needed for the project.

3. The wrong cast on

The first step of every knitting project is to cast on stitches. There are many ways to cast stitches some require them to be stretchy and loose while some may require a constricted look. A common knitting mistake is working with one cast-on method on all projects. This will only bring more problems to the project, ultimately making you want to rip out the stitches and begin again. To correct this, always use the appropriate cast-on method for your swatch. Or, work the cast on with knitting needles, a size or two bigger than the one you’ll be using for the pattern.

4. Too tight stitches

One of the common knitting mistakes, especially for beginners is too tight stitches. A problem in every way, often they have no other fix but to rip them out You will find it difficult to insert the knitting needle to make stitches or view them properly. This happens when you pull the yarn too tightly scared of dropping stitches or if the yarn is too slippery.

To correct this mistake, it is best you avoid it. Work with a bigger knitting needle size or a material such as stainless steel or metals. You can also play around with yarn tensioning.

5. Not keep a count of rows

Knitting is a game of numbers, you work with a particular number of stitches, increasing and decreasing them for shape. Many times knitters do lose count. It may be because they got busy chatting or somebody asked for them or they got lost in a complicated pattern such as colorwork or lace.

To correct this mistake you will have to unravel as the pattern will go awry. The trick to avoid this mistake is to use stitch markers at regular intervals. Alternative options include using a row counter. There are options that fit on your knitting needles, clicky, row counter rings, and more.

To conclude, besides these five common ones, there are many mistakes that you as a beginner might make but don’t take them harshly. Each mistake is a lesson and with time, you will get better. The key to avoiding common knitting mistakes is working with high-quality knitting needles and practice.

For all your craft needs including a smooth crocheting experience, explore the Lantern Moon collection for premium knitting needles. Handcrafted by skilled artisans, the needles reflect superior craftsmanship. Made from prized ebony wood, the tools and accessories have a velvety finish that is smooth in the hands of the maker.

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