What a Stitch Marker Does and Why You Need One
A stitch marker is a small loop or ring that you slip onto your knitting needle to mark a specific stitch or location in your work. It stays in place as you knit, moving up the needle with each row, and lets you see exactly where a pattern change happens, where a new round begins, or where you need to increase or decrease. Without one, you have to count stitches manually every time you need to find your place—a source of mistakes and frustration.
Stitch markers are especially useful when you are working colorwork patterns, lace, cables, or any design where stitches need to line up in a specific way. They also prevent you from losing track of where a round ends when you are knitting in the round on circular needles, which is one of the most common uses.
You can buy stitch markers made from plastic, metal, or wood, or you can make them from scrap yarn. The only requirement is that they slip easily onto your needle without catching fibers, and that they are large enough not to fall off.
Key Takeaways
- Slip a stitch marker onto your needle right after the stitch you want to mark, and it will move up with your knitting as you work each row.
- Place markers at the start of a round, before and after a pattern repeat, or anywhere the pattern instructions tell you to mark.
- When you reach a marker while knitting, slip it from the left needle to the right needle without knitting it, then keep going.
- You can use multiple markers in the same project to track different sections or pattern repeats.
- If a marker falls off or you need to move it, straightforward slip it back onto the needle at the correct stitch.
How to Place a Stitch Marker on Your Needle
Place a stitch marker when ready after the stitch you want to mark. If your pattern says "place marker after the first 5 stitches," knit 5 stitches, then slip the marker onto your right needle (the one with the working yarn attached). The marker now sits between stitch 5 and stitch 6.
When you start the next row or round, the marker will be on your left needle. As you knit, you will slip it from the left needle to the right needle without knitting it—treat it like a stitch that you are moving, not working. This keeps the marker in the same position relative to your stitches.
If you are placing a marker at the very beginning of a round on circular needles, slip it onto the needle before you knit the first stitch. This marks the start of the round and makes it straightforward to see when you have completed one full circle.
Moving a Marker as You Knit
Every time you reach a stitch marker while knitting, slip it from your left needle to your right needle without working it. Do this smoothly and without pulling the yarn tight—the marker should move as easily as a stitch would.
If you are working a pattern with multiple markers, you will slip each one in turn as you encounter it. This happens naturally and quickly once you get used to the motion. Some knitters find it helpful to pause for a half-second when they see a marker coming, just to make sure they are about to do the right thing at that point in the pattern.
If a marker falls off your needle while you are working, do not panic. straightforward pick it up and slip it back onto the needle at the stitch where it belongs. Count back from your current position if you are not sure which stitch it was marking.
Common Places to Put Stitch Markers
The most common use is marking the beginning of a round when you knit in the round on circular needles. Slip the marker onto the needle before you knit the first stitch of the round, and it will show you exactly where each new round starts.
You can also place markers before and after a pattern repeat. If your pattern says to repeat 8 stitches across the row, place a marker after every 8 stitches. This way, if you lose count or make a mistake, you can see when ready which repeat is wrong instead of having to recount the whole row.
Markers are helpful at the start of a cable section, before and after a lace motif, or anywhere the pattern instructions tell you to mark. Some knitters place a marker at the beginning of every row just to keep track of where they are, though this is optional.
Markers for Different Needle Types
Stitch markers work the same way on straight needles, circular needles, and double-pointed needles. The only difference is where you place them. On straight needles, you place them between stitches on the needle itself. On circular needles, you place them on the cable between the needle tips, or on the needle itself—either works. On double-pointed needles, place them on whichever needle holds the stitches you are marking.
If you are using very thin needles (size 000 or smaller), you may need smaller markers or markers with a tighter fit so they do not slide off. If you are using very thick needles or working with bulky yarn, you may need larger markers. Most standard markers fit needles in the US size 4 to 11 range without trouble.
Making Your Own Stitch Markers
You can make a stitch marker from a length of contrasting yarn by tying it into a small loop. Cut a piece of yarn about 4 inches long, tie the ends together, and trim the loop so it is about the size of a dime. This works just as well as a store-bought marker and costs nothing.
Another option is to thread a small bead onto a piece of yarn and tie the ends together. The bead makes the marker easier to see and adds a little weight so it does not slip off as easily. You can also use a safety pin, though it is bulkier and can catch on your yarn if you are not careful.
Homemade markers work best on needles that are not too small. If your needles are very thin, a commercial marker with a tight fit will stay in place more reliably.
Mistakes to Avoid When Using Stitch Markers
The most common mistake is forgetting to slip the marker when you reach it. If you accidentally knit the marker as if it were a stitch, you will create a hole or a twisted stitch at that point. If this happens, straightforward drop back to that row, fix the stitch, and move the marker to the correct position.
Another mistake is placing the marker on the wrong side of a stitch. If your pattern says "place marker after stitch 5," make sure the marker is between stitch 5 and stitch 6, not between stitch 4 and stitch 5. Count carefully the first time you place it, and you will not have to redo it later.
Do not pull the yarn tight when you slip a marker. If you cinch the yarn around the marker, it can distort the stitches on either side and create an uneven edge. Let the marker move freely, and the stitches will stay even.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use a stitch marker on every row, or only when the pattern says to?
You can use markers whenever you find them helpful, even if the pattern does not call for them. Many knitters place a marker at the start of every row just to keep track of their progress. This is entirely optional and does not change the finished project.
What if I do not have a stitch marker and need one right now?
Tie a small loop from scrap yarn and slip it onto your needle. A safety pin, a piece of thread, or even a small rubber band works in a pinch. The marker just needs to be something that will not slip off and will not catch on your yarn.
Do stitch markers work on all yarn weights?
Yes, but you may need to adjust the size of the marker. Thin yarn works with standard markers, but very bulky yarn may need a larger marker so it does not slip through. Test the marker on a few stitches before you commit to using it for the whole project.
Can I move a marker to a different stitch if I make a mistake?
Yes. If you realize the marker is in the wrong place, slip it off and put it back on at the correct stitch. Count carefully to make sure you are placing it where the pattern actually calls for it.
What happens if a stitch marker falls off in the middle of a row?
Pick it up and slip it back onto the needle at the stitch where it belongs. If you are not sure which stitch it was marking, count back from your current position or forward from the last marker you remember placing.