Today I'm going to teach you everything you need to know about knitting stitch markers.
These handy little tools, though small, are mighty in your knitting. They’re more useful than you can imagine. Today we’ll talk about what they are, how to use them, and the many ways they can help you knit.
What is a Stitch Marker?
A stitch marker is a knitting tool used to identify an important place in your knitting. You can find them in fixed forms, or rings, or as locking stitch markers. You can even make your own stitch markers.
But we’ll talk about all of this in detail as we work our way through this post. For now, just know that stitch markers are really important items to have, especially in your knitting kit.
So let's talk about the different stitch marker types available.
Marker Types
There are two common types of stitch markers. They are:
Let's learn more about these knitting notions, beginning with ring stitch markers.
Ring Stitch Markers
This style can be an enclosed form to slip on your needle or have a notched feature to slip onto the yarn itself.
Stitch markers also come in a variety of geometric shapes and colors. The most common are round stitch markers but I’ve also seen them in a variety of shapes. The assortment of colors and styles keeps things interesting and fun.
They also come in a range of sizes to fit your knitting needles, and are made from wood, metal, plastic, and other materials. Just take a look at these gold hexagon stitch markers with matching honeybee. Cute, right?
Here's another fun set with a little bit of everything. This sun, moon, and stars set has both ring stitch markers and locking stitch markers. Let's talk about the latter a little more.
Locking Stitch Markers
Some locking stitch markers are similar to safety pins. Others have lobster clasps to hook onto your knitting, like the ones shown above. You can slip some styles over the knitting needle but, most commonly, you can attach them to your knitting.
The locking type of marker is the most functional for all of your knitting projects and is my personal favorite.
Why? Well, you can reposition them easily if you need to. With ring stitch markers, you have to work to that place in your knitting to move them.
Another reason why I love them is, they won't fall off of your knitting. With round markers, if I stop at the beginning of a round, it may drop off when I set my work down. I may not notice until much later, which means tinking back and endless frustration.
This is why, especially when I'm knitting in the round, I like to lock on a stitch marker. The image below shows how I mark the beginning of a round. This is just one way to use stitch markers. Let's talk about some others.
How to Use Stitch Markers
If you’ve ever lost count of your knitting stitches or lost your place in your pattern, knitting stitch markers are for you.
Stitch markers are often kept on the needle but you can also attach them to the knitting itself. In short, they are essential to knitters and must-haves because they are so helpful.
Let’s talk about the different ways they can help you with your knitting.
Knitting in the Round
One way stitch markers can help is when you’re knitting in the round. In circular knitting, knowing where the knitting pattern begins and ends will keep you from making a mistake. So it’s a good idea to use them to mark the beginning of your work.
Flat Knitting
If you’re knitting flat, they can mark the beginning or end of your row. Or, if you’re adding edge stitches to your knitting, stitch markers can separate the pattern from the knitted border.
You can also use stitch markers to mark the right side (RS) or wrong side (WS) of your knitting, or increases and decreases. Maybe you’ve cast on a lot of stitches, like in the image above. Stitch markers can help you keep count of your stitches.
Pattern Changes
They can also mark pattern repeats in your knitting, or changes in stitch patterns.
The image above shows how to place a stitch marker in knitting to mark a pattern change.
If you’re learning how to count rows in knitting, you can use stitch markers to help you. Say your knitting pattern calls for a certain number of row repeats. You could place a stitch marker every 5 or 10 rows. Then, you’ll only need to count the markers as you work instead of counting each and every row.
Dropped a stitch? You can use a stitch marker to hold it in place until you can fix your knitting mistake. This will keep the dropped stitch from unraveling any further and doing more damage.
One final way you can use a stitch marker is to mark where you’d need to slip a stitch. Sometimes, you would do this for edge stitches or within the pattern itself.
Speaking of place markers in knitting, let’s talk about how you might find them written in knitting patterns.
Knitting Abbreviations Explained
Understanding knitting abbreviations can seem like reading a foreign language. In reality, though, these knitting terms really are simple. Here's what you need to know about stitch markers in knitting patterns.
Place Marker (pm)
Some knitting patterns will say place marker in the knitting instructions, or write it as “pm”. What does this mean exactly? Well, when the pattern calls for this, you’d simply place a stitch marker on the right needle after the last worked stitch.
As you continue to knit, you will come across this marker on every row or round thereafter. When you come back around to it, move or slip the marker from the left to right needle.
Slip Marker (sm)
This brings us to the knitting term “sm”, which is the abbreviation for slip marker. Once you’ve worked your marker into the pattern, you may encounter knitting instructions like this:
K to marker, sm, m1, k to next marker, m1, sm, knit across.
Now, you may be asking: What does it mean to slip marker?
Here you will move, or slip, the stitch marker from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle. Then you would continue on with the pattern.
To translate the above pattern, you would:
Knit to the marker, slip marker, make one (increase), knit to next marker, make one (increase), slip marker, then knit across to end.
Learn How to Read a Knitting Pattern
From the images we’ve shared so far, you can see there’s a huge variety of stitch markers you can purchase.
But, if you don’t like what’s available on the market, why not make your own DIY stitch markers?
DIY Stitch Markers
If you’re a general crafter like I am, you probably have all the knitting supplies you need for handmade stitch markers. Personally, I love the feeling of accomplishment when I can make something cute AND useful. Like these adorable mini-skein stitch markers. Find out how to make your own here.
Want more ideas on what you can use for a stitch marker?
Check out our Knitting Hacks.
Whatever you decide to do, buy or diy, just be sure to keep them in a stitch marker case or container. Also, since they are quite small, and easily lost, you should also keep plenty on hand. You never know when you may need more.
Loved what you read here? Drop us a line below or follow us on Insta. We'd love to hear from you. #knitfarious
Enjoyed reading the info about stitch markers. I have a question: does the abbreviation MM (move marker) mean the same action as slip marker? It's in an Australian knitting pattern I'm planning to use.
Hi! Glad to hear you enjoyed the article.
As for your question, yes, this seems like a logical translation. Still, I’d check to see if the pattern includes a list of abbreviations or notes. If it doesn’t, you can also reach out to the designer to make sure. Hopefully this helps! Happy knitting!
Christina,
Thanks for the information. I'm new to knitting and have a question about a pattern that reads as follows:
With RS facing, place removable m in fabric at end of row to mark beg of shoulder.
Does this mean I place the marker on the right or left of my work?
Thanks in advance!
You're welcome! To answer your question, it sounds like you'd need to place a marker at the left of your work. Typically, knitting is worked right to left, much like reading knitting patterns.
I hope this helps. Good luck with your project and thanks for dropping by.
If I have an extra stitch more than required before the marker, what have I done wrong? The previous increase row turned out correctly, the next row was purl in pattern which was stockinette. The following row is the one with the extra stitch. Thank You!
Hi. It's hard to say without seeing it or knowing the type of increase you did. It might be that you've accidentally made a yarn over. It might be the pattern itself - some patterns have a fluctuating number of stitches. My suggestion would be to TINK back that row and figure out what you did in case it happens again. Best of luck!
Really appreciated your info about the placement of markers. New to sock knitting, i was unsure how to use a ring marker and happy to find out I could just use a locking marker instead as i was afraid I’d be unable to get a ring marker out of my knitted piece.
Also. Your explanation about slipping the ring marker from one needle to the next (I’m using flexi flip needles) helped me understand another abbreviation in the pattern which was SM.
It’s so nice to find thoroughly helpful info.
Thanks so much for the comment! I'm a self-taught knitter so I know how difficult it is to find the answers you're looking for in one place. It makes me happy to know that you found what you were looking for here.
Good luck with the socks! I'm about to start a project myself. Cheers!
What do you mean by knit to six stitches within the marker? Thanks
Hi there. I didn't see these instructions in my post so I assume you're looking at a specific pattern. Going by what you've given me, it sounds like the designer wants you to knit to 6 stitches before you reach the marker.
Hello--
I am trying to order stitch markers as a gift from a seller in Denmark-- they offer numerous sizes-- I am not a knitter-- can you sugggest what size(s) are best for a self taught person who has been knitting for 1-2 years?
Thank you!
https://aknittersworld.dk/Shop.html#!/maskemarkører
Hi there! Those are lovely. It doesn't matter the skill, it matters the size. If you're not sure what size needles your friend uses, I'd opt for the larger size rings so that they'll fit most needle sizes she might use. Regardless, I think your friend will love them! Happy shopping!
Good morning Christina. I have been knitting for years, yet there is part of an infant's dress pattern that does not make sense logically. The pattern calls for SM4 and here is how the instructions read.
SM4 - keeping yarn at back of work, insert right hand needle from front to back between 4th and 5th sts on left hand needle and draw up a loop. K4, then slip top thread of loop over the 4 stitches. The next row is 'Purl'.
This is part of a yoke pattern for an eyelet dress. This is done on the 3rd & 7th row of an 8 row pattern with 141 stitches in the pattern. The pattern does not account for eliminating the extra stitches caused by the markers, nor how I am to slip the loop over stitches now knitted on the right hand needle.
To me, I should slip the SM over the 4 sts before I knit them, otherwise I cannot do it. I do have plastic SM, but the yarn SM looks as if it is being used to carry on the eyelet pattern established by 'k2 tog, yfwd'. Any assistance you may provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance.
Hi Brigette! Thanks for taking the time to write in. I'm such a visual learner that it's really difficult for me to imagine this without seeing it. I would definitely recommend you reach out to the designer though. If you're having these questions, then someone else has had these questions. In the meantime, have you checked on Ravelry to see others' projects or questions asked? You might find your answer there. Best of luck!
Thank you. The pattern is over 25 years old, and I don't think the company exists any more. I finally figured it out though. It will still take me about 6-8 weeks to finish as I have other time committments. When I am done, I can send you a picture of the finished dress. The SM is used to pull in a set of stitches to create a design. I may not have done it quite right, but it is close. Thank you again for responding. Brigette
You're welcome. Sorry I couldn't be more help but I'm glad that you were able to figure it out. Yes, I'd love to see it when you're done. No rush! 🙂
Hi Christina, I am doing a project on a circular needle. I am bit confused with this instruction on the pattern.. At start of round, remove marker, slip first St from LH needle to RH needle, replace marker. *
Can you explain?
It sounds like the designer wants you to move the beginning of the round by slipping the stitch. In other words, by slipping the stitch, you're shifting the start of the round by one stitch. It's often done for different reasons. Hard to say more without more info but I'd just continue on. Sometimes things make more sense as we work through them. Best of luck to you!
Many thanks for your prompt responses. I shall keep going and see how it takes shape.
Ana
You're most welcome! Happy knitting!
Nice article, but I've always used a loop of contrast yarn, as taught by my granny, before the proliferation of brightly coloured plastic was upon us. Flexible, visible and easy to use. Non slip if you use a yarn with a bit of a halo.
I understand where you're coming from and yes, leftover yarn makes for great stitch markers too. Thanks for taking the time to share! Cheers!
Hi! Thanks for this information! I am following a pattern that says “knit 10 stitches then place stitch marker in next stitch”. This is a little confusing because I am used to the terminology, “knit 10 stitches then place marker”. The pattern is from the UK, so maybe it is just different wording for the same move? Or is place marker in next stitch a technique new to me? Thanks for any clarification.
Hi Laura! I can understand your confusion as it's not as commonly used as the "place marker" method. Still, I would just take the instructions as literal and use a locking stitch marker to mark that individual stitch. I'm sure the designer has his/her reason for it. I hope this helps!
Thank you so much! I am glad you suggest taking it literally, as that is what I wanted to do in my heart...lol...I had just never heard of it! Appreciate your input!
You're so welcome! I'm so glad you asked. I hope it turns out well!
Hi there. I'm very new to knitting. I know that if the pattern says knit x amount of stitches then pm but this pattern I'm using at the moment says "pm at beg of next row for the neck"
I placed my marker on the right needle before I continued then carried on as per pattern but the pm is just loose at the end of each row. Have I not read this correctly?
Hi Roz! Thanks for writing in! No, it sounds like you "read" it correctly, the designer just "wrote" it incorrectly. I would have interpreted it the same way. Maybe check the pattern for additional instructions and, if there are none, then give the designer a shout. There's a lot to keep track on when writing patterns so it may have just been an honest mistake. Hope this helps!
Hi, I have two questions:
1. my pattern (for a top-down ragland sleeve sweater) says K to m, RLI, sm. Does this mean I knit to the stitch right BEFORE the marker and make my RLI on that stitch and then slip the marker?
2. next it says K to m, sm, K1, sm, LLI...if I have just knit to marker, slipped it, knit the one stitch between markers, slipped the next marker, do I then knit the first stitch after second marker and do my LLI out of that stitch?
Thanks SO much! This is confusing...
Hi Malinda! Great questions. Before I say "yes" and "yes", I have to ask, does the pattern specify what type of increase? Some increases are created by using the stitch itself, like "knit front and back" (KFB), while others use the yarn between the stitches to create the increase, like "make one left" and "make one right" (M1L, M1R), for example.
You've definitely got the jist of the pattern instructions. It'll all come down to the type of increase either specified or that you want to use. Make sense? I hope this helps!
Thank you! The pattern just says RLI, right-leaning increase and LLI, left leaning increases.
Silly question, but how are round seamless stitch markers removed at the end of your knitting project? I would assume they're cut off with scissors but some are so cute??
Oh no! Generally, they should be slid back and forth as you work so you don't have to cut them. It sounds like you may have to cut them after all though. To avoid this next time, I recommend you purchase some locking stitch markers so you can slip them off without having to cut them. It really is a good idea to have both kinds and they're really inexpensive. Sorry. 🙁
Thank you! I've been a novice knitter from the age of 8 to 63, and this will be my first time using markers. Your article is really clear and sorted me out.
That's wonderful, Ellie! So glad to hear it. Good luck with your new project and thanks for taking the time to drop me a note. 🙂
I have trouble with markers. I use ring markers and I always end up with a visible line where the marker is. It seems that the marker interferes with my tension. Maybe using a clip style marker on the fabric instead of a ring on the needle would help? I've never even heard of clip style markers before. I've used bits of yarn instead of plastic rings, but I find them awkward.
Hi Miriam! Thank you for sharing this comment. Yes, I've had that same experience, too. Some stitch markers are quite thick, which I don't like. I've found that metal ones (not clip-ons) work great as they can get really thin without breaking, like the hexagons and stars shown in this post. If you've already knit something and have these little gaps, a good wash and block should fix these issues, depending on the yarn fiber you used. I hope this helps!
Great article. Many thanks.
I use loads of stitch markers. While I agree that locking stitch markers are great in many circumstances, I usually prefer closed rings, as small as possible (Knit Pro does some good ones in two colours, and they slip very easily from needle to needle so I never have to take them off to move them. How do I use them?
Well, for the sake of argument, let's say I use purple ones for marking where I have to do something (increases, for example) and the green ones I place just for counting.
In a long row of knitting, particularly on interchangeable needles where I find it difficult to count on the flexible cable, I put a green stitch marker say every twenty stitches (or whatever number suits). Saves me counting large numbers or losing my place.
I have been doing a three-needle bind off over 100 stitches on each needle. Because working on three needles is a bit awkward, I find myself either dropping stitches or forgetting to 'knit off'. So, the the row before I would typically place a marker every ten stitches. If I don't reach the same markers on each needle at any point, I can quickly see that I've made a mistake in the previous ten, and so there are not many to go back and fix. Much better than getting to the end and finding I'm out by a stitch.
I'm also working on a top down cardigan where I need to increase before and after a marker. This time I'll use a purple marker to indicate where. But I'll also place a green (counting) one a few places before and after the purple one. So now I can see at a glance if I have forgotten to increase somewhere along the row. (The number between the green and purple markers increases each time but I only ever have to check that small group of stitches).
Similar principle when working mitred squares. I know there are different ways to do mitred squares but the one I like means keeping track of the middle three stitches (slip one, knit two tog, psso). Using a single marker here (as the pattern suggested) would mean constantly moving it. So after identifying the middle three, I place a marker say 6 stitches before and after them. Now, it's just a matter of slipping the markers rather than moving them. Again, at a glance, I can identify those three stitches. As I complete rows, the markers naturally work themselves closer together; when they reach each side of the middle three stitches, I'll move them back/on again a few places.
If I'm working a pattern over a set number of rows - for example, a 14 row repeat, or 'increase every 8 rows' - I'll place a green marker the number of places in from the start of the row I'm on. So, for example, if I'm on row 3, the green marker will be after the third stitch. On row 5, I then move the marker on two places. (Normally, it's enough to do that just on odd rows, while in certain situations I might even use them on the even rows too.)
I recently knitted a pattern over about 160 stitches that was a one-one left and one-one right cable repeated (i.e. repeated every four stitches). I found it very hard at first to see what I was doing and it was a nightmare to undo if I made a mistake. So I placed a marker between each group of four. I know that sounds like overkill but it really helped. Now, coming back on the purl row, I could see at a glance if I'd dropped a stitch or gone left where I should have gone right.
So you can see I'm a stitch marker devotee. Hope these ideas are useful to others.
Thank you, Leila, for taking the time to share your experiences and comments. I really appreciate it. I'm sure others will find your feedback useful, too.
I’m knitting my first hat in the round and I dropped my stitch marker but didn’t notice. How do I know where to put it back?
Thanks,
Lela
Hi Lela! Great question! Assuming you're marking your pattern repeats, you'll have to count each section to determine where it should go. If you dropped the marker for the beginning of the round, you'll have to trace your knitting from the join up to your current place and replace the marker.
what does "keeping stitches outside marker" mean?
Hi Janet! Thanks for your question. Without more info, it's hard to say specifically, but I'll give you my best guess. It sounds like your pattern calls for stitch markers to mark a stitch pattern repeat and/or a border. If I use a blanket, for example, and use stitch markers to differentiate between the stitch pattern and the border/selvedge stitches, the border would be considered outside the markers. Make sense? I hope this helps.
Thanks Christina--The pattern is a Sarah Shepard Reflections top pattern. I was marking the edges from the stitch repeat anyhow. I just didn't want to miss something important. Your website has been an eye opener. So glad I found it. Janet
You're welcome! Glad I was able to help.
P.S. That pattern is cute! I hope it turns out well.