How to Tink Knitting and Unpurl
Every knitter makes mistakes—dropped stitches, miscounted rows, or realizing you purled when you should have knitted. The good news? You don’t have to rip out (or “frog”) entire rows to fix a simple error. Instead, you can tink (unknit) or unpurl your stitches one by one to backtrack and fix mistakes without unraveling your entire project.
In this guide, we’ll show you how to tink knitting (unknitting stitch by stitch) and how to unpurl, so you can easily undo mistakes without frustration.
Why Tink Instead of Frogging?
Frogging (ripping out entire rows) can be risky because:
✅ You might drop stitches and struggle to pick them back up correctly
✅ The tension of your yarn might become uneven
✅ It’s harder to find the exact spot where you made a mistake
Tinking and unpurling allow you to undo stitches carefully, keeping your knitting intact while correcting errors efficiently.
What is Tinking? (Unknitting Your Stitches)
Tinking is simply “knitting backward.” The word “tink” is just “knit” spelled backward! Instead of ripping out multiple stitches at once, you carefully unknit each stitch back to your mistake.
When to Use Tinking
🔹 You accidentally purled a stitch that should have been knit (or vice versa)
🔹 You miscounted stitches in a row and need to go back a few stitches
🔹 You dropped a stitch and need to fix it without unraveling rows
How to Tink Knitting: Step-by-Step
1. Identify the Stitch to Undo
Look at the last stitch you knitted. You’ll see two legs of yarn looping into the stitch below. This is where you’ll insert your needle.
2. Insert the Left Needle into the Stitch Below
Take your left needle and insert it into the stitch directly below the one on your right needle. Make sure you’re going into the correct stitch—this is the one your yarn just came through.
3. Slip the Stitch Off the Right Needle
Once the stitch is safely back on your left needle, gently pull your working yarn to undo the stitch. The stitch will now sit on your left needle, ready to be reworked correctly.
🔹 Pro Tip: If you need to tink multiple stitches, go slowly! It’s easy to miss a stitch or split the yarn if you rush.
What is Unpurling? (Fixing Mistakes on the Purl Side)
Unpurling is the same as tinking but in reverse stockinette (purl side up). Instead of undoing knit stitches, you carefully undo purl stitches one at a time.
When to Use Unpurling
🔹 You purled a stitch when you meant to knit
🔹 You lost count in a ribbing or seed stitch pattern
🔹 You need to backtrack a few stitches without unraveling the whole row
How to Unpurl: Step-by-Step
1. Find the Stitch Below the One You Want to Undo
Look at the last stitch you purled. Instead of two V-shaped legs, you’ll see a small horizontal bump—this is the base of the stitch you need to pick up.
2. Insert the Left Needle into the Stitch Below
Carefully insert your left needle into the bump of the stitch below. Make sure you’re catching the right stitch—this is the one your working yarn just pulled through.
3. Slip the Stitch Off the Right Needle
Once the stitch is securely back on your left needle, gently pull your working yarn to undo the purl stitch. It will now be ready to be reworked correctly.
🔹 Pro Tip: Be extra careful with unpurling because purl stitches can be a little harder to see than knit stitches.
Tinking vs. Frogging: Which One Should You Use?
| Method | Best For | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tinking (Unknitting) | Fixing a few stitches | Precise, keeps tension even | Can be slow for long mistakes |
| Unpurling | Fixing purl-side mistakes | Works great for ribbing & stockinette | Harder to see stitches |
| Frogging (Unraveling Rows) | Big mistakes | Fastest way to undo large sections | Risk of dropped stitches |
💡 Bottom Line: If you’re only fixing a small mistake, tinking and unpurling are your best options. If the mistake is many rows back, frogging may be faster.
Common Mistakes When Tinking and How to Fix Them
🔸 Accidentally picking up the wrong stitch – Always check that you’re inserting your needle into the correct loop before pulling the yarn out.
🔸 Splitting the yarn – Use sharp needles and move slowly to avoid splitting the yarn as you tink.
🔸 Losing track of stitches – If you’re fixing multiple stitches, count each one as you go to make sure you’re undoing the right amount.
FAQs About Fixing Knitting Mistakes
1. Can I tink multiple stitches at once?
Yes, but it’s best to tink one stitch at a time to avoid dropping stitches or accidentally unraveling too far.
2. Is tinking the same as frogging?
No, tinking is undoing stitches one by one, while frogging is ripping out whole rows. Tinking gives you more control.
3. Can I tink cables or lace patterns?
Tinking works for cables and lace, but be extra careful to maintain yarn overs and decreases in the correct order.
4. How do I prevent needing to tink?
The best way to avoid mistakes is to count your stitches often and use stitch markers to keep track of patterns.
5. Can I use tinking for colorwork?
Yes, but be careful with stranded colorwork, as tinking can make the yarn strands tangle.
Final Thoughts
Mistakes happen in knitting, but that doesn’t mean you have to start over! Tinking (unknitting) and unpurling are essential skills that help you fix knitting mistakes without frogging rows of work.
Next Steps
Learn more Skills in How to Fix Knitting Problems
