How to Fix a Mistake in Your Lace Knitting

Lace knitting is a way to create beautiful garments and housewares. However, errors in lace knitting can be a knitters worst nightmare. If the mistakes are small, they can simply mar the symmetry of a piece. Major errors can throw off the row counts, resulting in pieces the wrong shape or size altogether. And fixing an error in lace can be so difficult, that many knitters end up ripping the entire piece out. This tutorial will show you one way to rip out several rows of lace knitting without losing your place.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a smooth weight that is the same length as your piece of knitting. I used several books, you could also use a (well!) sanded board or a removable shelf from a bookcase if the piece is long.
• A knitting needle at least two sizes smaller than the one you are knitting with.
• A flat surface to work on, undisturbed.
• Beverage of choice (optional)

1. 
    
   The dreaded error

   First, identify the error. My error occurred several rows down in "single-sided" lace. This means that I was knitting all of the lace stitches on the front and purling across the back of my knitting.

2. 
    
   Place a weight over the knitting, then pull out the needle

   Place the knitting on a flat surface, and line up your weight (in this case some large books) right under the working needle. When everything is in place, take a deep breath, and pull out the needle.

3. 
    
   Lower the weight one row at a time as you rip out rows.

   Carefully pull out one row at a time, always keeping the weight on top of the rest of the knitting (this prevents dropping extra stitches or distorting the fabric) until you get close to the mistake row. Count the rows you rip so you can find your place in the pattern later.

4. 
    
   The purl side is easier to pick up

   The knit-side is very difficult to pick up, because of the yarn overs and knit-two-togethers, so I will be pulling out the knitting to just past the mistake, so I can pick up on a purl row.

5. 
    
   Pick up each stitch as you unknit it

   After ripping out the error, begin to pick up stitches with the working yarn at the end of the piece (where it would be if you were about to turn it over to knit the back). Carefully rip out one stitch at a time. As you rip a stitch, catch it on a knitting needle at least two sizes smaller than the one you are using for your lace knitting.

6. 
    
   Count your stitches

   Once you have picked up all of your stitches, you are ready to begin re-knitting the piece. If you have a stitch count for the row, now would be a good time to count the stitches on the temporary needle to make sure you have the correct amount. If not, repeat steps 2-5 for two more rows and try again.

7. 
    
   Knit back on to your working needles

   Take the knitting out from under the weights. Pick up one of your working needles (in the size called for by your pattern) and begin to carefully knit the next row of the pattern.

8. 
    
   Get back to knitting like nothing happened!

   Now you are ready to finish the piece!

Tips & Warnings

• A flat surface and good lighting are a must for this process!
• If you are using a really "hairy" yarn like mohair, throwing the piece in the freezer for an hour before ripping may help it stay untangled.

Resources

• How to read lace charts (video)
• An introduction to lace knitting