Special thanks to Mark Rougeux for this guest blog post.
Let’s say you have started a project that has a few new stitches in it about which you aren’t quite sure. I know I have done that many times just to challenge myself. Adding a lifeline to your knitting is a very easy way of ensuring that what you have knit perfectly, won’t have to be ripped out because later on down the length of a sleeve, or a hat, or a scarf, you discover you have dropped a stitch, forgot to increase or decrease, or some other error that you made because you were watching a good movie while knitting. Yep, we’ve all been there.
The easiest way is to simply thread some thin, slippery yarn, usually a bit smaller gauge than what you are using for this project, through the current live loops on your knitting needle with a blunt darning needle. If I am using a circular needle, I like to slide as many stitches as I can onto the cable, so that threading the yarn into the live loops is easier to manage. Actually the flat ribbon dental floss works very well too as it slides very easily when you need to pull it out. The minty fresh scent comes out in the wash.
There’s a neat trick with stockinette stitch that you can do so you don’t want to go too far when ripping out a section. Before you begin ripping, identify the row where you want to stop, usually just before the error you are fixing. Using a blunt darning needle and your yarn or floss, you can pick up either leg of the V (or chevron) that is made with each stitch. Just make sure that you are picking up the same leg of the chevron each time. For example, if you pick up the right-hand leg of the stitch for the first stitch, then you will need to pick up the right-hand leg of all the remaining stitches. This takes a bit of practice and a good light source, especially if you are working with darker, smaller gauges of yarn.
There are also circular needles on the market that have holes in the cable that attaches to the needle. You simply slide your lifeline yarn into the eye of the cord and knit away as usual. Once you have a round or row done, you have your lifeline in place.
One thing you should be very careful of is no matter which method you choose, when threading the lifeline through your stitches, make sure you don’t split the yarn with the needle and run your lifeline through a piece of yarn. It makes pulling it out more tedious and you may not get the desired result.
Keep in mind that the first and last stitch may be a bit hard to find, but it’s there. Count your stitches so you don’t overlook them.
Lifelines are great when trying a new stitch. If it is a disaster, just rip back to the lifeline and try again.
What other sorts of tips and tricks would you like to see on the blog?
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If you are using a kni picks needle you can use an extra cable then if you have to rip back you simply replace needle tip waaahoooo.
Hi Diama,
I hadn’t thought of using an extra cable. If you do, put the smallest needle you have on the cable when threading through the loops, so that the stitches don’t stretch out too much. Good idea!
Mark
Very informative thanks
You’re missing one ‘t’ in knitting,
in the photo!
I recently taught myself how to knit using various videos available online. I have found that missing a stitch or dropping a stitch are my most common errors and cause me the most frustration. I have never seen this method but I think it would be extremely helpful and time saving. Can’t wait to try it out. Thanks!
I just turned my first-ever sock heel (short rows), and it looks… a little special. No mistakes that will actually cause it to unravel, but it’s got some funky gaps I’d like to go back and get rid of. Looks like I’ve found a good way to go back and do it all over without worrying about dropped stitches – thanks for the tip!
(Incidentally, do you have any advice or recommended video tutorials on sock heels?)
I really like Staci at VeryPinks.com. Check out her YouTube video at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JAR2USuQ16M
Enjoy.
Mark
Thanks for the idea of using dental floss. I’ve already ripped out part of a lace shawl and knew I needed a lifeline but didn’t know what I’d use for thinner yarn. Now I know!
you don’t even need a darning needle if you have knitpicks or the like. Thread dental floss through the tightening hole. Tie off. Knit. When the row is finished you will have completed a life-lined row.
i have dropped a stitch and noticed it after several rows…can you create a video on how to pick up a stitch?
I am following the Yarnspiration Mystery Afghan for both Knit and Crochet. I know alot about Crochet but am really liking this project to teach me all about knitting. I have learned alot. There is one block that I have had to pull out twice now because I made mistakes and the final pattern does not look right. I am now going to use this technique to mark specific rows 10 and 20 so I will know what row I am pulling back to if I need to do it again. I have not learned yet how to accurately count rows when there are different stitches like cables or ssk and the like. Thank you so much for the ideas.
I have always heard NEVER use dental floss as it tears the yarn when pulling it out.
I use #10 crochet thread and it works well.