How do I make a drop stitch?

#1

Hi,
I’m trying to make a pair of fingerless mittens and the pattern says to “drop a stitch.” Looking at the photo on the pattern, it looks like this is where the thumb is supposed to go through. I’ve been searching online trying to figure out how to do this correctly and I’m still confused. One site says to wrap the yarn around the needle two or three times and then knit like normal. Another site’s video says to just drop the stitch off the needle and let it fall and pull it down.

What is the right way to do this?

Please help!
Thanks!
Angela

#2

The pattern goes like this -

Row 19: Purl all stitches
Row 20: K10, K1 tbl, drop the next stitch, K1 tbl, K8 (20 stitches)
Row 21 and 22: K1,P1 (repeat between ** to the end of the row)
Row 23: [wrong side] BO in K1, P1 pattern
Weave in ends.

#3

It seems like you just drop the next stitch off the needle and let it unravel. Is there a picture of the mitts or a link to the pattern?

#4

Hi,
Thanks for your post! The pattern was purchased at a craft shop and I can’t seem to find it online now. It’s called Burly Spun Drop-Stitch Scarf and Fingerless Mitts. In the pattern notes it says, “The dropped stitch detail allows the wearer’s thumb to stick out wherever it’s most comfortable.”

If I just drop the stitch and unravel it so that it makes a ladder, what prevents it from not unraveling the entire length down to Row 1? In the photo on the pattern it’s not unraveled the entire way down, if that makes sense.

Thanks!!

#5

You probably have a YO or m1 stitch at the base that added that stitch and will keep it from running all the way to the cast on.

#6

Actually, here’s the entire pattern. Am I allowed to post this?

Row 6: K2, inc 1, K7, K1 tbl, m1, k1 tbl, K5, inc 1, K2 (21 stitches)
Row 7: Purl all stitches
Row 8, 10, 12, 14,16 and 18: K10, K1 tbl, K1, K1 tbl, K8
Row 9, 11, 13, 15, 17 AND 19: Purl all stitches
Row 20: K10, K1 tbl, drop the next stitch, K1 tbl, K8 (20 stitches)
Row 21 and 22: K1, P1 to the end of the row
Row 23: [wrong side] BO in K1 P1 pattern
Weave in ends

*It says for the increase to use your preferred increase. I did knit front to back for this. Should that be ok?

#7

Ah! You beat me to it. Yes, I did an m1 stitch. Ok, great…that makes sense then.

Thanks so much. Now I can finish this tonight! :slight_smile:

#8

A kfb should work. It’s just to stop the stitch from going any further.

And no, it’s really not alright to post the entire pattern; it belongs to the designer, even if it’s a free one. This site’s owners have got some unhappy emails from people who have published their patterns because someone posted them on the boards.

It’s okay to post just a portion that you’re having a problem with, or a link to the pattern. Now if you only post rows 4 and 6 and write "blah, blah, blah to row 19, then write out Row 20, that’s fine.

#9

After I pulled down the dropped stitch, I noticed a little loop sticking out in back. If I really tugged, I could easily unravel the whole thing. Did I do this right? Should I try to secure that little loop better somehow?

Ah, ok that makes sense. I can delete part of that pattern post. It’s only for the right mitt anyway.

Thanks again for your help. This is my first time doing anything beyond scarves and hats!

#10

Don’t try and secure it, without seeing a picture it is hard to tell, bu that is supposed to be unsecured and to run down a little. The m1 from the earlier row will stop it going to far. and will create a lacy laddred effect.

#11

Will the loop run all the way down? If it does, it may not be the right stitch.