Fix a Stitch: A Tutorial and Review

We’ve all had issues when we discovered an error in our knitting.

Your heart sinks, you ask yourself if they’ll really be able to see it and you think about how you can just ignore it and continue.

Enter Fix-A-Stitch

This ingenious tool lets you ladder down and fix a missed stitch, an erroneous stitch or a just plain stitch done badly.

I’m sure you’re also thinking that those hooks on the left are thin and seem breakable. Well, they’re made of a flexible plastic so they’ll likely be ok for you.

Why is it Different than a Crochet Hook?

Fix-a-Stitch has hooks on both ends, making it easier – especially to do the purl stitches. It’s also a bit shorter so it’s easier to fit into some notions pouches.

Fix-a-Stitch on Stockinette

It’s easier to work on stockinette!

Just ladder down a couple rows below the problem stitch. Put the live stitch on the Fix-A-Stitch (FAS) to hold it.

Now, regardless or whether it’s knitted flat or in the round, you’ll only be working on the front (knit) side.

Just work a column of knits:

Step 1: Put the ladder onto the FAS and pull it through the live stitch.

One stitch made.

Repeat step 1 until you’re done.

Fix-A-Stitch on Reverse Stockinette

Setup: Ladder down to a couple rows below the problem stitch. Leave the rest of the stitches on the needles and insert the Fix-A-Stitch (FAS) into the loop of the live stitch below all the laddered stitches.

Step 1a (purl stitch): Put the next ladder on the FAS. Pull the FAS through to the south side of the needle. Using that hook, pull the live stitch under the ladder.

Step 1b: Still using that same side of the FAS, turn the hook so it points down and pull the ladder through the live stitch. One stitch made.

Repeat steps 1a and 1b until you’re done.

Fix-A-Stitch on Garter

This was the one that both interested me the most and was hardest for me to master. I’d highly recommend doing this first on a garter swatch.

Garter stitch is just a combo of a row of knits followed by a row of purls. The trick for me was making sure I was using the correct ladder. At first, I’d look at the row I was working on and trace the yarn so I knew which ladder was the right one. But once I got a good rhythm, it was easy to pick the next ladder once I remembered that purl ladders are in the front and knit ladders are in the back. I did skip a few knit ladders at first and had to remember to look for it because it often was hidden by the purl ladder above it.

Here are the details on how to do it:

Setup: Ladder down to a couple rows below the problem stitch. Leave the rest of the stitches on the needles and insert the Fix-A-Stitch (FAS) into the loop of the live stitch below all the laddered stitches (this step is just like the start of the other 2 stitches above).

I suggest starting with a knit stitch. It’s easier to do and it’ll give you some good bearings.

Note that ladders that are in the front are supposed to be purled, and ladders that are in the back are supposed to be knit (just the way you hold the yarn). This is important to keep in mind.

Step 1 (knit stitch): Since you’re starting with a knit stitch, the ladder will come from the back. Do Step 1 of stockinette above. One stitch made.

Step 2a (purl stitch): Do Step 1a of reverse stockinette stitch above.

Step 2b: Do Step 1b of reverse stockinette stitch above. One stitch made.

Repeat Steps 1 and 2 until you’re done.

Sizes

Fix-A-Stitch comes in 4 sizes for most applications.

The three largest hooks come in one package and the smaller ones come in their own package. Fix-A-Stitch calls the smaller ones “Lace” but I also see it being useful for sock knitting too.

Give It a Try

The Fix-A-Stitch makes it quick to let you fix any problems you have. Try it out on a little swatch and see for yourself!

Craft Smarter In the New Year

This post is part of our Craft Smarter in the New Year series in January 2018! Don’t miss any of our posts!

1. Improved SSK’s (knit)
2. Centered Double Decrease (knit)
3. Stacked Increases and Decreases (knit)
4. Post Stitches (crochet)
5. Weaving in Ends (crochet)
6. Jogless Stripes (crochet)
7. Bias Bindoff (knit)
8. Fix-a-Stitch Review (knit)
9. One-Row Buttonhole (knit)