Knitting Machine Mistakes - Quick fixes Guide
We all hit a snag sometimes: a dropped stitch, a tension problem, a carriage that just won't behave. This page is your first port of call when something goes wrong.
I'll be adding to it regularly, so over time it will build into a go-to reference for the most common machine knitting hiccups and, more importantly, how to fix them. Whether you're mid-project and in a panic, or just trying to work out what went wrong, I hope you'll find your answer here.
Every maker makes them
Find your problem
Before you start
→ Buying a second-hand machine without inspecting it first
→ Not checking needles before casting on
→ Ignoring machine maintenance
→ Skipping the tension swatch
→ Using the wrong yarn weight for your machine
At the cast-on
→ Forgetting to use a cast-on comb and weights
→ Not securing the yarn end at the start
While you knit
→ Why your stitches keep dropping
→ Moving the carriage too fast
→ Leaving the carriage mid-row when you step away
→ Casting off too tightly
Finishing
→ Rescuing a bent cast-on comb
→ Giving up instead of troubleshooting
Tools and mindset
Why your stitches keep dropping, and how to stop it
🪡 Dropped stitches are one of the most common frustrations in machine knitting, especially in the early stages. The good news is that they're almost always caused by one of a handful of things. Once you know what to look for, they become much easier to prevent.
Here are the three most common culprits:
1. Needles that need attention
Before every session, take a moment to run your eye along the needle bed. Bent, damaged or incorrectly positioned needles are a leading cause of dropped stitches, and they're easy to miss when you're eager to get going.
✅ Check that all needles in working position are straight, undamaged and moving freely.
Without proper weight, stitches don't form correctly and the carriage can't pull the loops down cleanly. Dropped stitches follow almost immediately.
✅ Use a cast-on comb and hang weights from the start. As your piece grows, move the weights up regularly so they're always working on the lower edge.
Every domestic machine has a yarn weight range it works well with. Push outside that range and you'll see jammed carriages, uneven knitting and, yes, dropped stitches.
✅ Check your machine's gauge before choosing yarn. Standard gauge machines take up to 4ply and some fine DK. Mid and chunky gauge machines take DK and heavier. If you're trying a new yarn, test it on a few rows first.
2. Not enough weight on the knitting
3. Yarn that's too thick or too thin for your machine
Skipping the tension swatch
It's tempting to cast on and get going straight away. But without a swatch, your finished piece can come out completely the wrong size. Tension varies by yarn, by machine and even by the time of day.
✅ Fix: Always knit a 10cm swatch in your main yarn before starting any project. Adjust your tension dial, and swatch again if needed. It takes 10 minutes and saves hours of frustration.
Get all 13 fixes, free
These in more detail and another 11 fixes, from buying a second-hand machine to rescuing a bent comb, are waiting for you. Pop your email in below and I'll send you straight to the full page. You'll also hear from me when there's a new pattern, guide or fix worth knowing about.