How to Knit a Yarn Over Increase Stitch
Do you have a YO in your pattern and you need to know how to knit the Yarn Over stitch? This is an increase knitting technique used commonly to make eyelets in lace patterns. Multiple yarn overs create drop stitch patterns.
My tutorial shows you exactly how to Yarn Over with both written and close-up video instructions to power up your knitting skills.
Table of Contents
WRITTEN INSTRUCTIONS HOW TO KNIT A YARN OVER
ABBREVIATION = YO
SYMBOL =
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Knit, Yarn Over, Knit
When your pattern has the Knit stitch both before and after your Yarn Over: K, YO, K. Your yarn will be wrapping counter-clockwise for Yarn Overs.
- After your Knit Stitch, prepare your Yarn Over by bringing your yarn to the front of your work between your two knitting needles.
- Next, insert your right needle into the left and knit your stitch though.
- You will see that by starting with your yarn in the front of your work, it creates the Yarn Over when knitting that next stitch.
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Purl, Yarn Over, Knit
When your pattern has the Purl stitch before your Yarn Over, then a Knit stitch: P, YO, K. Remember, your yarn will be wrapping counter-clockwise for Yarn Overs.
- After your Purl Stitch, your yarn is in the front of your work, so you are already in position for the Yarn Over.
- Next, insert your right needle into the left and knit your stitch though.
- You will see that by starting with your yarn in the front of your work after that first Purl stitch, your Yarn Over is created while knitting through your last stitch.
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How to Knit a Yarn Over on the First Stitch of Your Work
Does your knitting pattern have a YO as the first stitch of your work? The first time I encountered it, I was totally confused. How do you yarn over when you haven’t even begun to knit on your needle? It’s actually a lot easier than you think! Yay!
Pattern with a Yarn Over, then Knit stitch: YO, K. Begin with the yarn in the front of your right needle, insert the right needle as if to knit, and knit through. Because you began with your yarn in the front of your needle, it wrapped around once prior to the Knit Stitch and created the first stitch as a Yarn Over.
Pattern with a Yarn Over, then Purl stitch: YO, P. Begin with the yarn in the front of your right needle and wrap it once around your right needle in a counter-clockwise direction, bringing the yarn around to the front. Insert the right needle as if to purl, and purl through. Because you wrapped your yarn around your needle prior to purling, it created the first stitch as a Yarn Over.
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Knitting Yarn Overs on the Wrong Side of Your Work
When you turn your work, you will be knitting or purling those YO stitches. Make sure that the stitches are straight on your needle and not twisted. If they are twisted, just straighten them up before knitting the wrong side.
Helpful tip! If you get confused about where that YO stitch is supposed to be placed on your knitting needle, refer to your knitting pattern to see where they are placed among your stitches.
Again, my video is very helpful to see how I straighten up my stitches before I knit or purl the wrong side of my work.
VIDEO TUTORIAL
Want to see the Yarn Over in action? Watch my video to fully understand just how easy this technique is to accomplish!
THANK YOU FOR VISITING STUDIO KNIT
I hope you are inspired to knit yarn overs with confidence in your next knitting project. Find more knitting help with all of my technique tutorials. If you would like to practice Yarn Overs in a new project, please check out my Lace Heart Knit Stitch Pattern, as well as my Sea Foam Wave Drop Knit Stitch Pattern.
