Loopy PandaHow to Fix a Crochet Mistake (Frogging and Other Fixes)
Crochet has only one live loop, so mistakes are easy to undo. Take the hook out and gently pull the yarn to unravel (“frog”) back to the stitch before the mistake, then put that loop back on the hook. If you are just one stitch off, fix the count in the next row or round instead of unravelling.
How to frog back to a mistake
- Find the mistake and mark itLook for the first row or round where the stitch count or pattern goes wrong. Put a stitch marker in the last good stitch before it, so you know where to stop.
- Take the hook out and pull the yarnRemove the hook from the loop and pull the working yarn slowly. The stitches undo one by one. This is called frogging, from “rip it, rip it”, which sounds like a frog's croak.
- Slow down near the markerWhen you get close to the good stitch, pull gently, one stitch at a time. Stop when the loop of the last good stitch is free and the marker's stitch is still complete.
- Put the loop back on the hookInsert the hook into the free loop from front to back, the same way it sat on the hook before, so the loop is not twisted. Pull the working yarn gently to snug the loop to the hook size.
- Check the count, then carry onCount the stitches of the last complete row or round against the pattern. If it is right, continue from where you stopped.
Frogging vs tinking: which to use
| Method | What you do | Use it when |
|---|---|---|
| Frogging | Pull the yarn to unravel many stitches quickly | The mistake is a row or more back |
| Tinking (stitch by stitch) | Undo one stitch at a time, putting each loop back on the hook | The mistake is a few stitches back, or the yarn is fuzzy or slippery |
| Fix it in the next row | Add or skip one stitch in the current row | You are only one stitch off and the spot will not show |
| Leave it | Keep going | Nobody will notice, and the stitch count and shape are still right |
“Tink” is “knit” backwards, a word borrowed from knitting. In crochet it simply means undoing stitches one at a time.
One stitch too many or too few
If you find that you have one extra or one missing stitch and the mistake is several rows down, you often do not need to frog.
- One stitch too many: in the next row, work two stitches together (a decrease) somewhere in the middle of the row, where it will not show at the edge.
- One stitch too few: in the next row, work two stitches into one stitch (an increase) in the middle of the row.
- In amigurumi rounds: add or skip one stitch in the next round, next to where the mistake happened. For toys, one stitch off rarely changes the shape.
- When not to do this: if the pattern depends on an exact count (lace, stripes, colourwork, granny squares), or if the wrong count has already made the edge slant, frog back instead.
The yarn is crinkly after frogging
Frogged yarn keeps the shape of the stitches for a while. For a few rows it does not matter: crochet with it as it is. For a lot of yarn, wind it loosely around the back of a chair or a large book, spray or steam it lightly, let it dry completely, then wind it into a ball. Fuzzy yarns such as mohair and some wool can felt or tangle when frogged, so undo them slowly, stitch by stitch.
Stop mistakes from going far
- Count your stitches at the end of every row or round until the piece behaves. See how to count crochet stitches and rows.
- Mark the first and last stitch of each row; these are where most stitches get added or lost.
- Before trying a tricky section, thread a contrast yarn through all the stitches of the last good row (a “lifeline”). If you have to frog, you can only unravel down to it.
- When you put work down, pull the loop on the hook a little bigger or put a stitch marker in it so it cannot unravel by accident.
Frequently asked questions
Why do crocheters call it frogging?
Because you “rip it, rip it”, which sounds like a frog croaking. It means pulling the yarn to unravel your work.
Can I fix a crochet mistake without frogging?
Often yes. If you are only one stitch off, increase or decrease once in the next row or round. If the mistake is just a stitch in the wrong place and the count is right, you can usually leave it.
How do I put the stitches back on the hook after frogging?
In crochet there is only one live loop. Insert the hook into it from front to back, without twisting it, and tighten it gently. Then count the last complete row.
Can I reuse frogged yarn?
Yes. Kinks from the stitches relax on their own after a few rows. For a lot of yarn, wind it loosely around a chair back, dampen or steam it lightly, and let it dry before rewinding.
Why does my crochet unravel when I put it down?
The single live loop can pull out if the yarn is tugged. Put a stitch marker through the loop or pull it bigger before you put the work away.
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