One of the most freeing things to learn as a knitter is this:
Yarn can be re-used.
If you don’t like how something is turning out, you can rip it out and try again. That flexibility is one of knitting’s greatest gifts — and one that many beginners don’t realize right away.
Knitting is not permanent. It’s adjustable.
Frogging Is Not Failure
“Frog it” is one of the first pieces of knitting slang most people learn. It comes from “rip it, rip it,” which sounds a lot like a ribbit, ribbit.
But frogging isn’t something to avoid at all costs. It’s not a sign that you did something wrong. It’s simply part of the process.
You frog when:
- The fit isn’t right
- The fabric doesn’t feel how you imagined
- You made a mistake you don’t want to fix stitch-by-stitch
- You’ve learned something new and want to do it better
- Your taste has changed
That’s not failure — that’s learning.
Knitting Is Uniquely Forgiving
Many crafts don’t offer second chances.
You can’t un-paint a painting and reuse the paint.
You can’t un-sew fabric without leaving marks.
You can’t un-cut wood.
But knitting? Knitting lets you rewind.
A sweater can become a ball of yarn again – whether it’s one you knitted or thrifted.
A project can be reset without wasting the materials.
That makes knitting remarkably low-risk — especially once you internalize that the yarn isn’t gone just because the project didn’t work.
Re-Using Yarn Builds Confidence
When you truly believe that yarn can be reused, a few important things happen:
- You’re more willing to try new techniques
- You’re less afraid to adjust fit or gauge
- You’re more likely to knit with better yarn
- You stop forcing yourself to “finish” things you don’t love
- You will finally use those precious skeins!
The knowledge that you can always frog removes pressure. Knitting should be enjoyable, not stressful.
When It’s Worth Frogging
Not every mistake needs to be ripped out, but some absolutely should be.
It’s often worth frogging when:
- The fit is wrong and won’t block out
- The gauge is off in a way that affects size
- The fabric feels unpleasant to wear
- You know you won’t reach for the finished item
Trust your instincts. If you already don’t like it on the needles, finishing it rarely makes you like it more.
Yes, Even With “Good” Yarn
Some knitters hesitate to frog when they’re using nicer yarn. Ironically, that’s when reusing yarn matters most.
Good yarn is meant to be:
- Knit
- Worn
- Loved
Not trapped in a project you don’t enjoy. Reusing yarn is how you honor the investment — not by forcing yourself to keep going.
Practical Tips for Frogging
If you’ve already blocked a project and decide to rip it out, don’t be surprised if the yarn looks a little… wavy. Blocked yarn often springs back into what many knitters lovingly call the ramen noodle phase.
You can knit with yarn like this without any issues, but if you’d prefer to reset it first, it’s easy to do. Wind the yarn back into a hank using a yarn swift, give it a gentle wash, and let it dry — just like you would when blocking a finished project. Once it’s dry, the yarn will relax and look good as new.
It’s also worth noting that not all yarns frog equally. Fluffier yarns — especially mohair — can be trickier to rip back because the fibers tend to cling to themselves. One widely shared trick is to place the project in a bag and pop it in the freezer for a while. Cooling the fibers can reduce that “grabby” quality and make frogging easier and less frustrating.
Tall Tale Makes has an excellent video about frogging thrifted cashmere sweaters if you’re looking for step-by-step instructions.
And One Caveat…
If you steeked (cut) your project or knit a swatch in the round and cut the carried strands, you can frog it, but it will be lots of shorter strands of yarn, which means lots of joining and extra ends to weave in. If you are having second thoughts about a project, it’s best to frog before you steek.
The Bottom Line
Knitting is flexible.
Mistakes are reversible.
Yarn is reusable.
If something isn’t working, you are allowed to stop, rip it out, and begin again — with the same yarn, the same needles, and more knowledge than you had before.
That’s not wasted time.
That’s knitting.
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