How to fix a snag or pulled thread in a knit sweater

What you need

• Blunt tapestry needle or sewing needle
• Bobby pin or paperclip as a backup

Steps

1. Lay the sweater flat on a table with the snag facing up. Don't pull or stretch the loose yarn, since that makes the loop longer.

2. Thread the loose yarn through the eye of a needle, or hook it with the needle tip if the loop is short.

3. Push the needle through the knit right next to the snag and bring it out on the inside of the sweater.

4. Ease the yarn through gently until the loop sits flat on the inside and the outside looks smooth again.

5. No needle handy? Bend a bobby pin or paperclip into a small hook and use it to pull the loop through to the inside.

6. Tie a small, loose knot in the yarn on the inside so it can't slip back out. Don't pull the knot tight or the fabric will pucker.

7. Trim nothing on the outside. Leave the knot and any tail on the inside, and check the right side looks even.

Tips and common mistakes

Questions

Can I just cut the loose thread off?

No. Cutting it can let the knit unravel and turn a small snag into a hole. Push it to the inside and knot it instead.

What if the snag is long and the loop won't go back in?

Try working from the inside with a blunt needle and ease the yarn back a little at a time. If the loop is very long, spread the extra yarn into the nearby stitches rather than pulling hard.

Do I need a special needle?

A blunt tapestry needle works best because it won't split the yarn. A regular sewing needle, bobby pin or paperclip will do in a pinch.

This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.