# pick up stitches

idiom

Source: https://englishreference.com/idiom/pick-up-stitches
Updated: 2026-08-10

## 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

- You need to pick up stitches to finish the sweater neck.
- After knitting the main body, you must pick up stitches along the edge to start the collar.
- The pattern requires you to carefully pick up stitches from the selvage to ensure a seamless transition between the border and the central panel.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.