Finishing a row means securing your stitches so they don't unravel
Finishing a row is the moment you complete all the stitches across your needle and prepare to turn your work around and knit back in the opposite direction. The key is to move your working yarn to the correct side of your needles, slip the first stitch of the new row onto your left needle, and then begin knitting or purling the next row. If you skip this step or do it carelessly, stitches can slip off your needle and create holes or ladders in your fabric.
The process takes only a few seconds once you know the pattern. Most knitters finish a row the same way every time—it becomes automatic. The main thing to watch is that your working yarn stays on the correct side of your needles so the next row sits properly on top of the one you just finished.
Key Takeaways
- To finish a row, knit or purl all stitches across your needle until only one stitch remains on your right needle.
- Move your working yarn to the opposite side of your needles before you turn your work around.
- Slip the first stitch of the new row onto your left needle without twisting it.
- The working yarn should sit behind your needles for a knit row and in front for a purl row.
- Turning your work and moving the yarn happens in the same motion—you do not need separate steps.
The moment you complete the last stitch
When you knit or purl the final stitch on your right needle, that stitch is now complete and secured. You have finished the row. At this point, all the stitches you need for the next row are sitting on your right needle, and your left needle is empty.
Do not put your needles down yet. The stitches on your right needle are still live—they can slip off if you set the needle down carelessly or tug on the yarn. Keep the needle in your hand and move directly to the next step.
Moving your working yarn to the correct side
Before you turn your work around, move your working yarn to the side of your needles where it needs to be for the next row. If you are about to knit, the yarn should be behind your needles. If you are about to purl, the yarn should be in front.
The easiest way to do this is to bring the yarn between your two needles, moving it from whichever side it is currently on to the side you need. This takes a half-second and prevents you from accidentally knitting or purling with the yarn on the wrong side, which creates a twisted stitch.
If you are working in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row), your yarn will alternate sides naturally as you finish each row. If you are working in garter stitch (knit every row), your yarn will always need to be behind your needles.
Turning your work and preparing the next row
Once your yarn is on the correct side, rotate your work 180 degrees so that the needle with all your stitches is now in your left hand and the empty needle is in your right hand. This is called turning your work. You have now completed the row and are ready to begin the next one.
Some knitters turn their work and move the yarn in one smooth motion—they rotate the needles and bring the yarn to the correct side at the same time. Others do it in two separate movements. Either way works. The important thing is that when you are ready to knit or purl the first stitch of the new row, your yarn is already on the correct side.
Slipping the first stitch (optional but common)
Many knitters slip the first stitch of each new row instead of knitting or purling it. Slipping means you move the stitch from your left needle to your right needle without working it. This creates a neat, chain-like edge on the sides of your fabric that is easier to pick up later if you need to add ribbing or seams.
To slip a stitch, insert your right needle through the stitch on your left needle from left to right (or right to left, depending on the pattern), and slide the stitch onto your right needle without wrapping yarn around it. The stitch itself does not change—you are just moving it over.
Slipping the first stitch is not required to finish a row. If you knit or purl the first stitch normally, your row is still finished and your fabric will still be fine. But if you are working on a project where the edges matter—a blanket you will seam, a garment you will bind off neatly—slipping the first stitch is worth learning.
What happens if you finish a row incorrectly
If you forget to move your yarn to the correct side before turning your work, the first stitch of your new row will be twisted. The stitch will sit on your needle with the working yarn wrapped around it in the wrong direction. This creates a small hole or distortion in your fabric. It is not a disaster, but it is visible and breaks up the pattern of your stitches.
If you set your needles down without securing the stitches on your right needle, one or more stitches can slip off the end. This creates a dropped stitch, which unravels downward through your rows. Dropped stitches are fixable with a crochet hook, but they take time to repair. The easiest prevention is to keep your needles in your hands until the stitches are safely on your left needle for the next row.
Finishing multiple rows in sequence
Once you have finished one row and turned your work, you are when ready ready to begin the next row. The process repeats: knit or purl all stitches across, move your yarn to the correct side, turn your work, and begin again. After you have finished three or four rows, the motion becomes automatic and you will not have to think about each step.
The rhythm of finishing rows is one of the things that makes knitting meditative. Your hands learn the pattern, and your mind can relax. Pay attention for the first few rows of a new project, but after that, finishing a row becomes as natural as turning a page in a book.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I have to slip the first stitch of every row?
No. Slipping the first stitch creates a neater edge, but it is optional. If your pattern does not mention it, you can knit or purl the first stitch normally. Both methods finish the row correctly.
What if I forget which side the yarn should be on?
If you are about to knit and the yarn is in front, move it behind. If you are about to purl and the yarn is behind, move it in front. If you are unsure, move the yarn between your needles to the opposite side from where it is now. You can always adjust it before you work the first stitch.
Can I put my needles down after I finish a row?
Yes, but only after you have turned your work and the stitches are safely on your left needle. Do not set the needles down while stitches are still on your right needle—they can slip off the end.
What is the difference between finishing a row and binding off?
Finishing a row means completing all the stitches and preparing for the next row. Binding off means securing all your stitches permanently so they cannot unravel—you do this at the very end of your project. Finishing rows happens dozens of times; binding off happens once.
Why do my edges look messy even though I finish rows correctly?
Messy edges usually come from tension—pulling too tightly on the yarn at the beginning or end of rows. Try loosening your grip slightly on the first and last stitch of each row. Slipping the first stitch instead of knitting it also helps create a cleaner edge.