ENGLISH
REFERENCE

pick up stitches

idiom
Meaning

To add stitches to the knitting needle that were previously bound off, or that belong to the selvage, during the process of knitting or entrelac.


Examples
SIMPLE

You need to pick up stitches to finish the sweater neck.

CONTEXTUAL

After knitting the main body, you must pick up stitches along the edge to start the collar.

COMPLEX

The pattern requires you to carefully pick up stitches from the selvage to ensure a seamless transition between the border and the central panel.

Anchors to
Related idioms8entries
  1. 01

    captain's pick

    A decision made by a leader without consulting others.

  2. 02

    have a bone to pick

    To have a complaint or grievance (with somebody); to have a contentious issue to discuss.

  3. 03

    pick apart

    To review or analyse in great detail

  4. 04

    pick at

    To touch, grab, handle, or pull tentatively or gingerly, using a utensil or one's fingers.

  5. 05

    pick corners

    To choose a preference (as in predicting which boxer will win a match).

  6. 06

    pick holes

    To find weaknesses, errors or imperfections (in).

  7. 07

    pick of the litter

    The best person or item in a group; the best that one has to offer.

  8. 08

    pick on someone your own size

    An admonition of cowardice, usually said to make someone cease harassing or bullying someone else, especially where the bullied party is physically smaller or weaker than the bully.

Last updated April 17, 2026