The "Yarn Over" technique is a simple method of increasing stitches that plays an important role in knitting, especially in the art of lace knitting.
As a beginner, you may initially find the Yarn Overs confusing because they are not just simple acts of moving the working yarn from one place to another, but also depend on the types of stitches before and after them on the needles.
To help clarify Yarn Over Increases, here is A Comprehensive Guide For You.
What You'll Learn
Abbreviations and Symbols
In written instructions, "Yarn over" is abbreviated as Yo, and it means to bring the yarn forward around the needle as if to wrap for a knit stitch before the next stitch on the needle. Sometimes, this direction is written as YF – yarn forward, YB – yarn back, YON – yarn over needle, or YFON – yarn forward and over needle.
The symbols for Yarn Over in knitting charts are typically represented
as a small circle or the letter "O". If there is a
number inside the circle, it indicates that you need to wrap the yarn around the right needle
according to that number to create a new stitch.
Double Yarn Over is often denoted by the number 2, and may also be illustrated by
two small circles next to each other or a horizontal figure 8,
resembling the infinity symbol. Similarly, the symbol for Triple Yarn Over is the number 3,
while the number 4 indicates that the yarn should be wrapped four times, and the number 5 corresponds to wrapping it five times.
Like the rests in a piece of music, yarn overs create necessary pauses, bringing rhythm and balance to each movement on the needles. Through just a few simple steps, this technique opens up opportunities to create intricate lace designs, adding life and beauty to each piece.
Mastering the Yarn Over in Different Situations
| Technique | Abbreviations | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Yarn Over | Yo, Yon, Yf, Yb |
|
Between two Knit stitches
Start with the yarn at the back. Bring it between the two needle tips to the front.
Yes, it’s that easy—your yarn just needs to move a little bit to the front.
Between two Purl stitches
Start with the yarn at the front. Wrap it counterclockwise around the right-hand needle.
After a Knit and before a Purl
Start with the yarn at the back. Bring it between the two needle tips to the front. Then, wrap it counterclockwise around the right-hand needle.
After a Purl and before a Knit
Start with the yarn at the front. Do not move the yarn—just knit the next stitch as usual. As you do this, the yarn will naturally pass over the top of the right-hand needle, creating an extra stitch.
No effort needed—your yarn creates a new stitch all by itself. Great!
Yarn Over at the Beginning of a Row
Right side rows: Hold the yarn in front of the right-hand needle, then bring it up and over the needle to form a loop behind before knitting the first stitch.
Wrong side rows: Hold the yarn in back of the right-hand needle, then bring it up and over the needle to form a loop in front before purling the first stitch.
Video tutorial: Watch here
Yarn Over Variations
| Technique | Abbreviations | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Double Yarn Over | Yo yo, Yo x2, Yo twice |
|
| Triple Yarn Over | Yo x3, Yo 3 times |
|
Type 1: Double Yarn Over
A Double Yarn Over creates a larger buttonhole than a single yarn over — of course!
Let’s see how it works:
Double Yarn Over Between 2 Knit Stitches
Start with the yarn at the back. Bring it between the two needle tips to the front. Then wrap it counterclockwise around the right-hand needle.
Result: There is one loop (yarn over) on the tip of the right-hand needle.
Double Yarn Over Between 2 Purl Stitches
Start with the yarn at the front. Wrap it counterclockwise around the right-hand needle twice.
Result: There are two loops (yarn overs) on the tip of the right-hand needle.
Double Yarn Over After a Knit and Before a Purl
Start with the yarn at the back. Bring it between the needle tips to the front. Wrap it counterclockwise around the right-hand needle twice.
Result: There are two loops (yarn overs) on the tip of the right-hand needle.
Double Yarn Over After a Purl and Before a Knit
Start with the yarn at the front. Wrap it counterclockwise around the right-hand needle.
Result: There is one loop (yarn over) on the tip of the right-hand needle.
Detailed Written Instructions: Link
Type 2: Triple Yarn Over / Yarn Over 3 Times
After practicing the Yarn Over and Double Yarn Over techniques, you should grasp the principle of moving the yarn between knits and purls. When you see "Yarn Over 3 times," it means you'll perform the wrapping action one additional time compared to the Double Yarn Over.
It may feel challenging at first, but you'll become accustomed to it. Just be careful not to let the yarn overs slip off the needle; if they do, you can wrap them back on.
Video tutorial: Watch here
Type 3: Multiple Yarn Overs
In some knitting instructions, you may encounter phrases such as "Yarn Over 4 times," "Yarn Over 5 times," or even "Yarn Over 9 times." In charts, these numbers often appear inside circles. A larger number indicates that you need to wrap the yarn around the needle more times.
Work gently and slowly, but also with care — make sure not to miss a single wrap.
Don’t let the numbers inside the circle or... your age... unravel you!
A Simple Pattern to Practice Yarn Overs
Seafoam Scarf is an easy lace scarf worked back and forth. Its charm lies in a simple, easy-to-memorize pattern created with multiple Yarn Overs. It's a great way to get comfortable with Double Yarn Overs, Triple Yarn Overs, and even Yarn Over 4 times.
Download for free on Ravelry: Visit Pattern Page
Special Increase Techniques
Multiple Increases in One Stitch
| Technique | Abbreviations | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| Knit, Yo, Knit into same stitch | (K1 Yo K1) in next st, KYOK inc, or 1-to-3 inc |  |
| Purl, Yo, Purl into same stitch | (P1, Yo, P1) in next st, PYOP inc, or 1-to-3 inc |  |
When increasing from one stitch to create an odd number of total stitches (e.g., 3, 5, 7, or 9), the Yarn Over technique is commonly used. This approach adds an even number of stitches.
When the goal is to create an even total number of stitches (e.g., 4, 6, or 8), there are several methods that may be more suitable than using Yarn Overs.
However, increases that result in an odd number of stitches are not always made with Yarn Overs. That’s why it’s important to read the notes in each pattern to understand exactly how the increase is constructed.
Below is a detailed guide on how to increase from 1 stitch to 3 stitches. If you need to increase more stitches, you simply need to repeat the increase process (Yarn Over and Knit or Purl) for the number of stitches you want to add.
| Knit, Yo, Knit into same stitch | Purl, Yo, Purl into same stitch |
|---|---|
|
Knit, Yo, Knit into same stitch
Start with the yarn at the back, insert the RH needle knitwise into the first stitch on the LH needle, making a knit stitch without removing it from the LH needle. Bring the yarn between the two needle tips to the front, then reinsert the RH needle knitwise into the same stitch and knit again. Finally, slip the worked stitch off the LH needle. Detailed Written Instructions [Link] |
Purl, Yo, Purl into same stitch
Start with the yarn at the front, insert the RH needle purlwise into the first stitch on the LH needle, making a purl stitch without removing it from the LH needle. Wrap the yarn counterclockwise around the RH needle. Reinsert the RH needle purlwise into the same stitch and purl again. Finally, slip the worked stitch off the LH needle. Detailed Written Instructions [Link] |
Gathers: Increases and Decreases All At Once
The advanced techniques involve a combination of a double decrease (or more) and a double increase (or more) happening at the same time. There are various options for gathered stitches: “3 into 3,” “5 into 5,” “7 into 7,” etc.
In this article, we will provide instructions for working on 3 into 3 Gathers. Ensure that you are proficient in Knit Decreases and Purl Decreases.
| Technique | Abbreviations | Symbol |
|---|---|---|
| 3 into 3 gathered | 3-3, 3-3 RL (right leaning) |  |
| 3 into 3 gathered stitch throught the back loop |
3-3 TBL, 3-3 LL (left leaning) |  |
Quick Steps to Work 3-3 RL
When making a knit three stitches together decrease, the basic principle is to insert the needle through all three stitches as if they were one stitch, and then knit one stitch in that clump of stitches. The gather expands upon that:
- Knit three stitches together without removing them from the needle.
- Bring the yarn between the two needle tips to the front.
- Knit three stitches together again.
- Drop the three stitches off the left needle.
This technique is similar to working a KYOK while simultaneously executing a k3tog. You start with three stitches and end with three stitches, but they are gathered together, creating a neat appearance.
Detailed Written Instructions: Link
Quick Steps to Work 3-3 LL
- Slip three stitches knitwise, one at a time.
- Insert the LH needle into the front of three slipped stitches on the RH needle from left to right.
- Knit three stitches together through the back loop without removing them from the LH needle.
- Bring the yarn between the two needle tips to the front.
- Knit three stitches together through the back loop again.
- Drop the three stitches off the left needle.
This results in the 3/3 Gather through the back loop creating a direction that is symmetrical to the 3/3 Gather.
Detailed Written Instructions: Link
Quick Steps to Work 3-3 Center
- Slip two stitches together knitwise.
- Work (k1, yo, k1) in the next stitch.
- Pass the two slipped stitches over the three new stitches
This creates a centered 3/3 gather — balanced and symmetrical.
Detailed Written Instructions: Link
Gathers are very common in Estonian knitting, which is known for its intricate and delicate lace patterns, making it worthy of exploration in every respect. In this article, I focused specifically on Yarn Over Increases, so I didn’t cover many other techniques. More articles on Estonian knitting techniques will be coming soon.
I hope the knowledge shared in this article about increasing stitches using the Yarn Over inspires you to continue exploring and creating in the wonderful world of knitting.
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