Learn How to Correct Twisted Knit Stitches [FREE Knitting Tutorial]

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When knitting it is important that you pay attention to your stitch orientation. If not, your stitches can become twisted. In this tutorial, you will learn how to correct twisted knit stitches.

In fact, the two main reasons for ending up with twisted stitches are incorrect wrapping of the yarn or placing a stitch backwards on the needle.

Placing a stitch backwards can happen if you drop a stitch and you accidentally return it to the needle backwards.

Standard and Non-Standard Stitch Orientation

Actually, there are two different stitch orientations when knitting: Standard and non-standard.

Western knitters (English and Continental knitters) typically use standard stitch orientation.

Knitted stitches in Standard Orientation — Standard Orientation

Moreover, Eastern knitters will typically use the non-standard stitch orientation.

Knitted stitches in Non-standard Orientation — Non-standard Orientation

Finally, Combination knitters will typically use a combination of the standard and the non-standard orientation.

How to Avoid Twisted Knit Stitches by Wrapping the Working Yarn Correctly

If you have a problem with your knit stitches constantly twisting, start by looking at how you wrap the working yarn.

Which way are you wrapping the working yarn when you create a new stitch?

The standard is to wrap the working yarn counterclockwise around the knitting needle.

Start by knitting one stitch

Correct Twisted Knit Stitches by Wrapping Step 1: Knitting one stitch using wooden needles and blue yarn.

Look carefully at the new stitch on your right-hand needle.

Correct Twisted Knit Stitches by Wrapping Step 2: A twisted stitch at the right hand needle of a knitting project encircled.

If the yarn exits the stitch in front of the needle, it is in the non-standard position. Another indication is that the leading leg is in the back.

Correct Twisted Knit Stitches by Wrapping Step 3: Close-up to a twisted stitch at the right needle of a knitting project.

Undo the twisted stitch and redo it, making sure that you wrap the working yarn counterclockwise around the needle.

Correct Twisted Knit Stitches by Wrapping Step 4: Knitting a stitch while wrapping the working yarn counterclockwise around the right needle.

How to Avoid Twisted Knit Stitches by Looking at How You Insert the Needle

If the issue is not how you wrap the working yarn, it might be how you are inserting the right-hand needle.

Which way are you inserting the needle when you create a new stitch?

Working into the back of a stitch in the standard position will cause it to twist

Look at the stitch on the left-hand needle. Is it in a standard position?

Avoid Twisted Knit Stitches by Inserting the Needle Correctly Step 1: A row of knitted stitches in standard position.

If the answer is yes, work into the front of the stitch. This way it will not twist.

Avoid Twisted Knit Stitches by Inserting the Needle Correctly Step 2: A stitch being knitted.

If the answer is no, work into the back of the stitch. This will ensure that it does not twist.

Avoid Twisted Knit Stitches by Inserting the Needle Correctly Step 2: A stitch being knitted by inserting the right needle through the back of the loop.

How to Correct Twisted Knit Stitches

If you encounter an already twisted stitch, you can easily fix it.

First, start by looking at your project and determine where the twisted stitch is. If it is several rows down, you might want to drop stitches down to correct it.

You can find out more about how to correct dropped stitches in these step-by-step tutorials:

However, if the twisted stitch is just on the previous row, follow the steps below to fix it.

Knit to where the twisted stitch is.