Skipped stitches: causes and fixes (especially on knits)
A skipped stitch happens when the hook under the needle plate misses the thread loop the needle brings down, leaving a long, weak float in the seam. The needle forms that loop — which is why skipped stitches are a needle problem until proven otherwise.
Work through the causes in order
1. The needle (cause of most skipped stitches)
- Dull or bent: needles wear out in roughly 8 hours of sewing, and one strike on a pin bends the tip invisibly. When in doubt, replace — it’s the cheapest part on the machine.
- Wrong point type: a universal needle pushes knit loops aside inconsistently; a ballpoint (jersey) needle rounds between them, and a stretch needle adds a deeper scarf for elastane-heavy fabric like swimwear.
- Wrong size: too fine a needle flexes away from the hook on thick fabric. Denim and canvas want 90/14–100/16; see the needle size guide.
- Badly inserted: not pushed fully up into the clamp, or rotated — either one changes the needle-to-hook distance enough to skip.
2. Fabric “flagging” on knits and stretch
Stretchy fabric rides up and down with the needle instead of letting the needle punch through cleanly. That kills loop formation. Counter it with:
- a walking foot (or roller foot) so the fabric feeds from above and below,
- a stretch stitch (lightning bolt) or narrow zigzag instead of straight stitch,
- moderate speed and no pulling from behind,
- for very unstable knits, a strip of wash-away stabilizer or tissue paper under the seam.
3. Threading and thread
A top thread that misses a guide or the take-up lever feeds slack inconsistently — some stitches form, some don’t. Rethread from the spool with the presser foot up. Swap old or linty thread for fresh, and make sure the spool cap matches the spool so thread doesn’t catch on the spool’s notch.
4. Lint and the needle plate
Lint packed around the hook race changes how the loop presents to the hook. Clean under the plate (see cleaning guide). Also run a fingertip over the needle plate hole: burrs from past needle strikes snag the loop — fine emery paper can polish a small burr, but a cratered plate should be replaced.
5. Timing (the technician one)
If a clean machine with a fresh, correct, fully seated needle skips on every fabric, the hook is likely arriving early or late to meet the loop — hook timing. This usually follows a hard needle strike or jam. Timing adjustment requires opening the machine and setting the hook-to-needle clearance to spec: a service-shop job.
Sewing over pins is the quiet killer here: even when the needle survives, the deflection can knock timing off over time. Pull pins as you reach them.
Frequently asked questions
Why does my machine skip stitches only on stretch fabric?
Knit fabric flexes up and down with the needle — a movement called flagging — so the thread loop the hook needs to catch never forms properly. A ballpoint or stretch needle, a walking foot, slower sewing, and lighter presser-foot pressure all reduce flagging. A stretch needle has a deeper scarf than a ballpoint, so if ballpoint alone doesn’t cure it, step up to a stretch needle.
I changed the needle and it still skips. Now what?
Confirm the needle is inserted fully up into the clamp with the flat side the correct way, and that it is the right system for your machine (household machines use 130/705H needles). Then rethread top and bobbin and clean under the plate. If skipping persists on all fabrics with a fresh, correctly fitted needle, the hook timing may have drifted — that is a technician adjustment, and it often follows a needle strike or hard jam.
Can old thread cause skipped stitches?
Yes. Dry, brittle thread forms weak, inconsistent loops. If the same spool has been on the shelf for a decade, or it snaps easily when you tug a length between your hands, replace it before blaming the machine.
Sources & further reading
Manufacturer documentation last checked on 2026-07-03.