Knitting disaster, waaail!!

[piemashandliquer]

I miss-read the FINAL row of my moss stitch hat pattern so instead of P1 (P2tog) 8 times, I did P1, P2tog and repeated this for the whole row. I realised my mistake afterwards so thought 'no probs, I'll just un-knit it'. Only after I'd got through half the row did I then realise that I'd only transferred single stitches to the left hand needle, so now have several that I guess have dropped. I can't get the hang of picking up dropped stitches but am too afraid to rip it back. I do have a neighbour that could possibly help tomorrow night, but she can't pick up either so also tends to un-knit.

I know no one here can help me, but is there any reassurance any of you can give that I won't have to go back 2 evenings worth of knitting, or have I just got to prepare myself for the inevitable?

I'm gutted, as the hat is otherwise beautiful, and I was chuffed with myself for getting the P3tog decrease rows right. Should have known better! I thought this knitting lark was supposed to be fun?!

And I've had a shitty day at work, so was feeling the day was not all bad as knitting going really well (aaaaggghhhhh!).

( some people call un-knitting 'tinking' because 'tink' is 'knit' backwards)

you definitely won't have to rip it all out and start again. because it's moss stitch you should be able to easily see the vertical lines of stitching, so follow each line up until you get to the last line before you started decreasing, and there you should find the stitch you need to get back onto your needle

also if you're knackered/stressed, just put it down gently in a safe place and step away! wait until either your neighbour can come and help or when you've next got some time

if any of your stitches have properly dropped down several rows, then just get it between the needles and expose the 'ladder' part, then use a crochet hook to pull the ladder back up like this (being sure to keep the moss stitch pattern)

Yes, yes to definitely putting it away now. I have made some dreadful mistakes in my knitting of an evening and then the next day, or even a couple of days later when I've for it back out again, they haven't looked nearly as tricky to fix.
Good luck.

Second leaving it until you have had some sleep and there is good light. Then pick up what stitches you can see and do a bit of 'tinking until you have all the stitches back on the pin. Make sure that the working thread is where you can use it again. It will get easier and more fun the more you do it, I promise.

yes it really does get more fun

though i discovered yesterday that i had repeated an error for 3/4 of the stitches over four rows of a jumper i'm making

i had a big huff and went to bed

i fixed it this evening without ripping out the four rows, and by dropping the incorrect stitches down and hooking them back up again, which probably took longer tbh!

so IME you don't necessarily make fewer mistakes with experience - you just get better at fixing them

Thanks All for your kind support and reassurance, I have put it away and will pop to neighbours tomorrow. Not a major disaster in the big scheme of things I know, just wanted a fellow knitter to whinge to (DH sitting next to me doesn't really get it!).

Still, On the upside doing a bit of MNetting instead.

see this is why I prefer crochet

Nothing useful to add but I remember my mum rage knitting a few times when she'd gone wrong. Once she flung the cardi she was knitting across the room accompanied by the needles, pattern, and wool. She was ok the next day and carried on.

I am a crocheter but just wanted to say that I feel your pain :)

I have had to frog a few rows of my blanket recently and it still isn't quite right and it's so annoying! I have been chanting 'good enough, is good enough' to stop myself from frogging it all again!! It only really annoys me when I am annoyed at something else in my life, it's as if I take it out on the blanket :S !! :)

Thanks for sharing. I was dying to get home tonight to knock at the neighbours, and guess what? She's out! Waaaaailllll!!

Well, that will give you a chance to get it under some good light and have another look at it yourself. You will be sooo pleased if you get it sorted by yourself.

You should take a look on You Tube - they have a few videos on different pick methods and how to rip back your work and pick up the stitches more easily.

I feel for you - this is why I now crochet almost exclusively...

Thanks Everyone for all your kind words, neighbour helped me out and I finished the hat the following night. It has turned out really well and I am now starting a cute hat for DD, so back on track. Spent the morning choosing lovely yarn and decided I can't possibly give up!

Yey!! And phew!!

Totally agree that experience makes you better at correcting mistakes. It's all part of the learning experience :) This is why I think it's easier to learn as a child, as you're more used to making mistakes. As an adult you are used to mastering things. And you have to buy your own wool!

Well done on the hat. Keep plugging away :D

I'm always unknitting things. It's OK when you get back to the place in the wool you have re-wound.

unknitting = tingking = knitting backwards