How to Fix EXTRA STITCHES

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At some point, you might look down at your knitting and think, "Whoa! Why do I have so many stitches on my needle?" You've got more stitches than you cast on!
You, my friend, have accidentally added extra stitches to your work. It happens to most beginner knitters, so don't beat yourself up about it! There's one way to fix an added stitch, and it requires that you keep your eyes peeled so you can catch the little sneak before it gets embedded into your knitting. I'll show you how in the video!

[@777leighx]

So thats how I went from 20 to 40 and made a trapazoid with holes....welp, time to start over for the thousandth time 😂😭

[@2bit156]

I did the same but I’m finishing and wearing this damned scarf even if it’s the last thing I do

[@hannahchambers7587]

Exactly what I just did 😂😂

[@jakeski3142]

@@oatmeal495 Oof. I’m at 29 up from 14. I keep thinking there’s too big of a gap between stitches and making more

[@cherigrubbs9628]

I am right there with you!

[@waspywasp451]

That's so relatable 😭 I somehow increased my stitches from 25 to 55 💀. I'm working with smaller yarn so the increase is not so obvious although the beginning is sligly thinner

[@tstaats81]

I have been struggling with this as a beginner knitter for some time, and in just 6 minutes you were able to dumb it down for me. You are amazing! Following your page for sure.

[@erinmcnally7764]

OMG words CAN NOT express how much I LOVE you. I mean seriously, I do! You know why? Because I taught myself how to arm knit, and then decided I wanted to make these button cuffs to go onto the arm knitted scarves. After I figured that out my yarn and needles went into storage because I was moving. I recently got it back and noticed I was making the same frustrating and annoying mistake of increasing stitches. I didn't know how to fix it other than unnecessarily ripping it out and starting all the way over (a lot of times I didn't need to do that). I watched other videos to try and learn how to correct it and it pissed me off and made me give up for a few days- then I discovered this video! THANK YOU A BILLION times over. I had no idea my stupid, frustrating error was so easy to fix. I love you and please don't ever stop making videos! If you do, I will hunt you down and wag my finger at you until you start again. Thank you!!! Have I said thank you enough? I don't think there is such a thing. Thank you X's infinity!!

[@ladivina20f8]

Erin McNally I completely agree. She’s awesome!

[@VoidSploits]

R u okay?

[@fabulousmarilyn3.088]

Hello, lm a beginner knitter and by far, these tutorials are great, the lightning, your hands explanation of dropped stiches and such are fantastic. keep up the good work.

[@ashanein]

Same here! She has single handedly gotten me into knitting and learning fast! High five

[@tilly2559]

I smartly decided that my first ever knitting project would be a Knit 1, Purl 1 pattern and I’ve done so many yarnovers when I get confused about whether I’m knitting or purling.. this tutorial was SO helpful!

[@ladivina20f8]

I knitted my first scarf last night because of your videos. You’re a very gifted communicator and extremely clear and knowledgeable. Thank you. I’m obsessed now!!!!

[@sheepandstitch]

Aw thank you! So proud of you for knitting a scarf! Great job!

[@DerrickJolicoeur]

I was wondering how I went from 20 to 26... Also explains the holes. xD

[@Starlight48792]

True lol I went from 35 to 143

[@haris8853]

Silent Fox is that a joke 😂 surely you would have noticed that you were increasing before you reached 143

[@ELizabeth_Beeza]

Derrick , so Kool your A guy you knitting whoot whoot. Love it Guys Knitting and Crocha too.

[@susieperkins4491]

Silent Fox yep I went from 28 to 72

[@cynthiacisneros1694]

Derrick Jolicoeur me too!

[@FoamyLatte78]

I just finished my first scarf, and the triumphant moment of tying off my last stitch was replaced with horror when I noticed a big gaping hole right in the middle of my scarf! I ended up using a thread in a similar color to close the hole so it at least wouldn't be that obvious, but now I at least know what to look out for. Thank you so much for your awesome instructional videos!

[@katrinarosiak68]

I"m new to knitting and I've so far done all of these mistakes. I love the channel -- easily the best tutorials and I love her voice! So far I'm in love with knitting and I understand why these people carry their knitting with them everywhere! I've become one of those people. It's so relaxing. I love Davina's videos -- easy to follow and so helpful!!

[@zoephare]

I was about ready to frog out all my work seeing this but my friend told me it was an accidental yarn over and I came straight to this channel. You have been my go-to for learning how to knit. Slow and clear communication but not at all condescending. Thank you for making such great videos! Honestly can’t express my gratitude for how many melt downs you have saved me 😂

[@KelliWeaver1973]

You're helping me learn so much about knitting. I watch your tutorial videos over and over and they stick in my head better than anyone else's for some reason. Thank You so much for your help. I'm actually knitting!!!!

[@sheepandstitch]

Awesome!!

[@danaglabeman6919]

I was SO doing this without realizing, and I finally realized what was happening- I wasn't paying attention to whether I was purling or knitting, started to go the wrong way, THOUGHT I was catching and correcting myself, but by switching in the middle of the stitch, was actually creating a yarn over. Also, an easy way it happens for beginners is, when I started, I was knitting too tightly, not understanding the yarn would weave itself tight if I just properly executed the stitch and there was no need to pull on it. This made the loop on the last stitch LONG, and it went across the left needle instead of sitting at the top corner of the knitting/needle junction like it should. When it was bad enough to go all the way across the needle, it looked like 2 stitches, instead of the loop hooked into 1. Cue me not realizing, and knitting into both loop sides like stitches. I went from 18 to 31 stitches in 20 rows.

[@faithyg3]

The easiest to follow tutorials ive seen to date. You helped me learn to knit and now im confident and im making one of your hats

[@saritasarit]

This was absolutely clear, I didn’t even know what was happening with those weird yarn over increases while alternating purl and knit

[@baedb9716]

I found a use for the left over longtail! i chopped of about 5 inch piece and tied it into my work about 2 inches from the gaping hole. I weaved in rest in line with the rows and pattern then looped it through the stitch on either side on the hole and pull to reduce size of hole keeping hole closed together. I then weaved through rsst of my knitting and tied it. I cant even find where I sealed the hole.

[@iscavengersam]

what?! i was knitting a blanket and realized rows and rows later that i had a few holes. it took multiple days to knit half of my blanket. if i hadn't taken the minute to look up other resources i would have just watched this and taken apart almost most of my blanket because of holes. instead i knew it sounded ridiculous to undo that much work and looked to other resources that taught me how to actually fix the hole and have a blanket with no evidence that there was ever a hole (with the amount of time that this took i wouldve been too frustrated to redo that much work). please provide other options to people that are learning and let them decide what works for them.

[@tomwalker996]

Except it’s not square anymore... if you’re happy with it that’s all that matters

[@divadloBEZPRKEN]

Could you please share the solution with us? I am in a similiar situation :)

[@johannebrunner6477]

Oh my gosh I wish I had seen this an hour ago..uou have the talent of teaching...keep up the great work.

[@iWantARainbowPony]

Its incredible how much im learning about knitting from watching even just one video! You actually explain things, and you do it so well! I am so excited to see more videos :) Thankyou!

[@iWantARainbowPony]

also, i was actually wondering why my first random little piece of knitting 'thingy' was going all slanty at the edge :P now i know!

[@brentmakes]

Your tips, tricks, and tutorials are so good! I have used many of them myself and point new knitters to you when they need help. Thanks for all the great content!

[@susienickelson5184]

I knit your "big hat" and it was my very first knitting project! I had a couple of holes and could not figure out how they got there! In the end, the hat turned out SO CUTE! My son's football team is going to state, so I made it in navy blue and threaded silver ribbon through the turn up edge for the school colors. Finished last night, just in time for tonight's game. The pom pom is the best finishing touch!

[@sheepandstitch]

Woohoo! So glad it turned out well!

[@sharonhayes9237]

Thank you Davina! Your video explains everything from how we make these extra stitches and how to fix them! I'm a beginner and this will help me move forward with my projects!

[@MemoryOfGravy]

Thank you so much! I kept finding those yarnover imposter stitches on my needle but never knew what they were! So glad I can just push them off. I am struggling with the realisation that I probably have to rip out maybe 13 rows of knitting to get down to the big hole I didn’t know how to fix, but that’s my fault for not looking it up sooner! Thanks again for vastly improving my experience and knowledge.

[@SandraSimmons-z9j]

Very clear instructions and repair at a speed I can follow. Thank you. I'll follow you for more problems - and there will be more problems.

[@davina845]

Hi Davina! I watched your video because we have the same name! There's not too many of us you know. Having said that, I really liked your video. I think it is essential for beginners because most beginners are going to make the mistake of unintentionally adding a stitch and will be baffled as to why their work is getting wider. This video will be a lifesaver to many frustrated new knitters and even to experienced knitters who discover an accidental increase in their work.

[@denirn8725]

Thanks so much! You just made my husband’s day. He just began learning & like so many guys, goes too fast in the beginning….and who don’t want to take the time to count! 🤣

[@NicoleD311]

"Funky Impostor" - I love it!

[@karenherbpeyer3472]

Thank you!! I couldn't figure out how I would come up with holes. I like all your videos. So easy to learn from.

[@smitan7748]

Thank you so much. I have been making this mistake over and over again and unravelling my whole work each time, until I found your video :-)

[@jamierachellerandall]

Which yarn are you using in this project? I am in love with it!

[@sharpfishwanmillion]

I went from 30 stitches to 86. May have to start again! 😂😂😂

[@caribbeansunshine992]

Absolutely brilliant video super clear instructions and an amazing teacher please keep making more videos. Thank you!!!

[@matthewblake5605]

this has made my day! I couldn't work out how I'd gone from 30 to 74!

[@morganmoniz9483]

Hi! Do these tips work for accidental yarn overs in the round?

[@fritesfrites6350]

I came here looking for the same info! Did you ever find anything?

[@TranscendR]

Thank you so much! I made countless yarn over mistakes and now I know just what to do!

[@driinun8433]

Thank you! I started with around 18 stitches and ended up with at least 50 before I noticed... now I now that those weird imposter yarnover stitches were the culprit.

[@elizabethogle4568]

OMG, the fact you said "maybe you were just listening to something funny on NPR" makes me love your channel even more. HAHA!!! #iamthatperson

[@rosemariekury9186]

Thanks so much. Just getting back to knitting and hey, did the bridge thing so had to ripoff about 11 rows, but now that I know will be more careful.

[@ethanhazel64]

I love watching videos like this cause I need to pass my knitting class for my compute science degree

[@keeravivian]

Thank you for your tutorials!!! Your videos are so pretty and clean, I appreciate the effort you put into them!

[@angieg7257]

This video is so helpful. Now I know what to be careful of to avoid making holes.

[@carbonatedcosmo7665]

just found this video after completing a practice square that has holes in it from extra stitches and actually shouted "IT'S THAT EASY???" when you just dropped the extra stitch from the yarn over off the needle

[@sheepandstitch]

😂 yeah it’s really that easy! It feels unfair that’s it’s so easy right?!

[@Marixpress2]

Your knitting form is impeccable 😄

[@elenaspinelli3921]

Thanks for this, however, would knitting the yarn over together with the next stitch work? Just curious.....

[@MindManiacMarcus]

If the hole does not bug you that much, or it's like a little kids dish rag you are making, can you just cast off 1 or two stitches to correct to the right number then keep going? Thanks!

[@deceptionme]

I am totally that person who stitched into the bridge... thank you so much 😊

[@yopopo1085]

As a beginner, i unravelled my entire 6 inch scarf because you said that there was no way to save an extra stitch made if it was too down low. After unravelling my scarf, i was reccomended another video that showed me how to do an amazing fix to my problem but i had already listened to the advice you gave in the video as i didnt know any better. 😭

[@erinlowe9048]

thank you thank you thank you!!!!! this is the mistake i make the most and i never know how to fix it!!! i love you omg

[@chazieantunes6732]

Thank youuuuu! This was every my mistake! I am a total biginner and am finishing a beaaauuuutiful scarf and THIS was exactly what I did xD thank you for saving me and my scarf!

[@epona9166]

I love this channel! I've just gotten back into knitting after a 30+ year break and despite arthritis my work is way better than before, thanks to excellent tutorials like this one, which is my favorite. However I agree w earlier comment; the music -- this insipid music at least -- really detracts from the experience.

[@sheepandstitch]

Thanks for your kind comment! This video was made four years ago. In the time since, I've tried to choose music that's less distracting. Sorry about that!

[@michellecali2566]

Unfortunately I did have to rip back my work, but watching this made me confident to attempt to fix it. Voila!thank you!

[@benjaminkoval3807]

Good help when doing it when working with double pointed needles what should be done. The same or take out the hole line and restart.

[@smileyface702]

So if you do a yarnover you have to notice it the next time you come to knit it (before you knit it)?

[@kd8594]

What do you mean by when you knot back into your work? (This is very helpful thank you!! )

[@pattygarner8372]

Thank you so much!!!! I was thinking I had dropped a stitch...so was...LADDERING up!! only made a new hole and another stitch haha! Thanks so much!!

[@berliyoz]

Thank you!! This was a fantastic tutorial. I'm knitting my first thing (Probably it will be a scarf). I started with 12 eyes, as recommended in another video of yours. Now I'm at 36 eyes, and I even visited shortly in 37. I really like what I made because it looks like a road map of my exprincesses. But now, I am ready to add another skill to my tool kit. Did I already say, Thank you?!?

[@16Yashaluver]

This has saved me. I've restarted yesterday alone 6 times.

[@kerrycater2795]

Is there a way of darning the holes closed with embroidery floss or yarn?

[@sheepandstitch]

Yes you can certainly do that

[@amypederson4667]

I created a hole by dropping the last two stitches off the needle. When I went to place the loops back on the needle, the second to last apparently didn't loop back on correctly. Thankfully, I only knitted, I think, 1-2 more rows. This is only a knit stitch pattern, and I'm just practicing. Is there a video you can provide for this on how to rip out the rows correctly? Much appreciated!!

[@nellyshiks166]

Omg thank you I just made a whole on my beautiful red vest that I am knitting. Thank you I was getting upset 😂

[@Person.1844]

I started a scarf a few days ago and I accidentally now have an extra but there are no holes under it so I have no idea which stitch is the extra what do I do

[@shredderchic808]

Is it possible to add stitches with the purl stitch too?

[@smarty4jenny]

When I was a beginner knitter the way I made extra stitches by mistake was by splitting a stitch. Easily done with fuzzy yarn.

[@catherinejohnson478]

I have a cable knit blanket pattern that requires me to increase from 139 to 158, but I have 160 and no idea where I did it - suspect it was during a knit/purl. Where is the best place in my cable knit pattern to drop one without undoing it all please?

[@CreatiKnit]

Great tutorial!! Really great explanation of how holes appear! I remember when i was first learning, I mad ALOT of holes in my work. Thanks for the awesome video!! 😃

[@CB19196]

Thank you for the video. I noticed, since I always count my stitches, that somewhere along the line I went from 320 to 321. I think I'm just going to live with it though since it's too late to fix it the easy way (I knitted a few rows since then hoping I miscounted), but at least now I know what to do in the future.

[@lisanelson851]

You are so helpful, thank you for your clear explanations

[@doyouzgot2knw]

hi .. i have a serious question, so im knitting a blanket for my god daughter as a gift, and im pretty far along now, no mistakes up until now. I dropped a stitch, but im color blocking, and by the time i noticed the drop stitch i had already moved on to the next color, which is a good 6 rows along now. I ended up just fixing the stitch by weaving it in with the same color yarn and sort of like ... fastening it off so it doesnt come undone. My question is... if you dont rescue the dropped stitch, do i have to Increase 1 st one time starting a new row? or will having 1 dropped stitch not make a significant difference in the way the blanket will come out?

[@sheepandstitch]

Hi! First how sweet that you're knitting a blanket for your god daughter! As for your question, the way you fixed the dropped stitch should work okay! If you're working a stitch pattern that requires a certain number of stitches, then yes, you should increase by one stitch to make up for that dropped stitch. If you're knitting a stitch pattern that doesn't require a certain number of stitches (like garter stitch or stockinette, for example), then you don't really need to increase a stitch. Hope that helps!

[@doyouzgot2knw]

@@sheepandstitch thank you so much for replying, i really appreciate it! I was really worried that it would have made my blanket come out super uneven. I can happily continue to knit :D

[@josetieneoro]

You are extremely Canadian, I love it !

[@sheepandstitch]

Hahahaha I am indeed!

[@chrisjohnston4165]

CAN I FIX A ACCIDENTAL YARN OVER LIKE THIS IF ITS A PEARL?

[@teresafrost5084]

Can someone tell me what stitch this is? I've worked on this blanket a few months ago and I haven't worked on it. I'm now able to get back to it but I don't know what stitch it is. Can anyone help me with it?

[@nhatminhphan3610]

I know it may sounds weird but knitting using continental style prevent this kind of error because every time you switch between knit/purl you don’t have to bring the yarn up/down your right needle

[@бронза.вафля.конус]

I have about 200 cast on stitches.... I'm not counting this again lol

[@loladesire8480]

I just didn't know it was okay to have yarn string between needles at the start 😂😂😂😂 so I made the string into stitches , and ended up having so many stitches my "scarf" from how to make a scarf for beginners , and now the scarf I'm still working on , is more like a mini quilt 😂😂😂😂😂

[@cakeandtartscookies5030]

Thank you. It has been awhile since I have accidentally made a increase or dropped a stitch. Now I understand why my garter stitch "Scarf" turned into panties for my stuffed animal... lol. Also, it is an elephant, and it's tail literally fits right through the holes... don't even ask. Lol 😂😂😃

[@gokat1]

I fix these holes by discretely and carefully patching them up with sowing thread and needles. It works fine if it's the same color and isn't pulled too tight.

[@tamidmiller4348]

You can also add a stitch by not completely sliding a stitch off the needle... you can actually wind up knitting back into same stitch

[@theresa2620]

I somehow went from 30 to 90 stitches 😂 thank you for this but looks like I’m going to need to start anew

[@Orowam]

I'm getting extra stitches but they're crossing overtop of other stitches. Like two stitches making an X together. I have no idea how I'm making them but knitting both of them together in the next row seems to bring the stitch count back down. Still havn't seen how I'm making them though >.

[@jenniferorr3100]

wouldn't it just be best to K2Tog to decrease the extra stitches? Rather than ripping it off?

[@niki7690]

How do you knit back?

[@thissweethour]

Watching this like 'ha, I do that' 😅😅 thanks for this video, it's very helpful

[@cyrodilicbrandy]

I had been moving the yarn incorrectly the whole time 🤦‍♀️ thanks so much!

[@Oprych2222]

When I did push off the extra stitch the knitting looked correct on one side but I could still spot where the mistakes had been on the other side. I don't understand why it didn't work. any ideas?

[@paulbottomley42]

I find I do that second one a lot due to crummy needle control XD

[@sheepandstitch]

+Paul Bottomley It just takes a bit of practice. I added and dropped stitches ALL the time when I was learning. With some practice, your hands will get used to the rhythm of knitting and they'll know what it "feels" like to go into a stitch properly and what it "feels" like when a stitch is going in funky or being dropped. It sounds very woo woo and out there, but it's just muscle memory! On another note: nice avatar! Love Archer!

[@oliviacosta5521]

I was really hoping I could ladder down to fix it. I'm making a hat and it is in the start and it is bothering me. I laddered down to see what happened and I really don't want to tink all the way back

[@jilllovesbeegees70]

Im in a mess! I have the horizontal row mess from the dropped stitch. So not just the loops but those horizontal stitches that aren’t lining up. 😠

[@trinvan1]

Thank you for making it easy for beginners :)

[@lgreene9565]

Thanks ! You’re a great teacher.

[@gayathriramdas4342]

Thank You Very Much 💞

[@Person.1844]

What do you do if you don’t know which stitch is the extra

[@sheepandstitch]

If you did an accidental yarn over you’ll be able to see the extra stick because there’s a big hole underneath it

[@Person.1844]

@@sheepandstitch thank you so much!! I couldn’t se it at first because I didn’t finish my row yet and it was hard to see on the two needles, but once I finished the row I was able to spot it!

[@amandahe4534]

it works!🎉🎉😊i made a bag and it has holes a now it’s better🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤❤

[@mariahwilliams5333]

But what if the extra stitches don't look like imposters-they look like "real" stitches? Can I just grab two and knit them to decrease them?

[@sheepandstitch]

Yes you can definitely k2tog. I do that all the time when I have too many sts 😆

[@niki7690]

I was thinking how I jumped from 20 to 30 XD

[@sonerila6987]

This is really helpful. Thank you!

[@clfng]

Thank you!!! This video was a life saver!!!!!

[@MA__]

Thank you for this

[@deedeesainiuk3759]

Ok making a scarf, so iv added twice the amount I started with, started with 22i know have 42 & have done 14 rows, so now I want to thin it back down again to 22...how do I do this, im a total beginner

[@asmachaudhry5366]

I am having exactly the same problem. Please help

[@clemjm.c]

42 girl omg i

[@shcheok9658]

Very helpful! Thank you

[@MDinmyMind]

Thank you. I couldn't't figure out how I was doing that!

[@blingybrenda2795]

Very well explained thank u! Subscribed!