The Three Ways to Add Stitches in Your Knitting
You increase stitches by creating new loops from the yarn already on your needles. The three main methods are yarn overs (which leave a visible hole), knit front and back (which adds a stitch without a hole), and lifted increases (which pick up a stitch from the row below). Each one looks different in the finished fabric and works better for different projects—lace needs yarn overs, fitted garments often use knit front and back, and lifted increases work well when you want the increase nearly invisible.
The method you choose depends on whether you want the increase to show, how much time you have, and what the pattern calls for. Most patterns tell you which increase to use. If yours doesn't, knit front and back is the safest choice because it's fast and blends into most fabrics.
Key Takeaways
- Yarn overs create a deliberate hole and are the fastest increase—you straightforward wrap yarn around the needle without knitting into a stitch.
- Knit front and back means knitting into the same stitch twice (once through the front loop, once through the back) before sliding it off the needle.
- Lifted increases pick up a stitch from the row below and knit it, leaving almost no visible trace in the finished fabric.
- Increases on the edge of your work (one or two stitches in from the edge) are easier to seam later than increases right at the edge.
- Always count your stitches after increasing to make sure you added exactly what the pattern asked for.
Yarn Overs: The Visible Increase
A yarn over is the simplest increase and the only one that intentionally creates a hole. You wrap the working yarn around the needle without knitting into a stitch, which adds one new loop. This is standard in lace patterns, shawls, and any design where the holes are part of the look.
To make a yarn over between two knit stitches: knit one stitch normally, then bring the yarn to the front of the work (toward you). Insert the right needle into the next stitch as if to knit, and knit it. The yarn wrapped around the needle creates the new stitch. The hole appears directly below where you made the yarn over.
Yarn overs are fast because you skip the step of knitting into a stitch—you just wrap and move on. This speed makes them popular for large projects like shawls. The trade-off is that the hole is permanent and visible, so use yarn overs only when the pattern calls for them or when you want the decorative effect.
Knit Front and Back: The Invisible Increase
Knit front and back (often written as KFB in patterns) adds a stitch without creating a hole. You knit into the same stitch twice—once through the front loop and once through the back loop—before removing it from the left needle. This creates two stitches where there was one.
Here's the step-by-step process: Insert the right needle through the front of the stitch on the left needle and knit it normally, but do not slide the stitch off yet. Bring the right needle around to the back of the left needle and insert it through the back loop of that same stitch. Knit through the back loop. Now slide the original stitch off the left needle. You now have two stitches on the right needle.
Knit front and back is the most common increase in fitted garments like sweaters and hats because it blends into stockinette stitch and adds minimal bulk. It does create a small bump or bar at the base of the new stitch, but this is usually invisible once the garment is worn. The downside is that it takes slightly longer than a yarn over because you're knitting twice into one stitch.
Lifted Increases: The Nearly Invisible Option
Lifted increases pick up a stitch from the row directly below and knit it, adding a stitch without a hole or a visible bar. This method is slower than the other two but creates the smoothest-looking increase, which makes it popular for fitted garments where you want the shaping to disappear into the fabric.
To make a lifted increase on the right side of your work: knit to the stitch where you want to increase. Insert the left needle from left to right under the stitch in the row below (the one directly below the stitch you just knitted). Knit into this lifted stitch with the right needle, then knit the stitch on the left needle normally. You've added one stitch.
Lifted increases work best when you're increasing on the same side of the work every row or every other row, because the pattern of lifted stitches creates a nearly invisible vertical line. They take more concentration than yarn overs or knit front and back, so practice on a swatch first if you're new to them.
Where to Place Your Increases
Increases look best when they're placed one or two stitches in from the edge of your work, not right at the edge. This gives you a small margin of regular stitches to seam later and makes the shaping line cleaner. For example, if you're increasing on both sides of a sleeve, knit one or two stitches, make your increase, knit across to the last two or three stitches, make another increase, then knit to the end.
Increases at the very edge can make seaming awkward because the new stitches sit right where your seam will go. A one-stitch margin is usually enough; two stitches gives you more room to work with if you're a tight seamer.
Common Mistakes When Increasing
The most common mistake is losing count of how many stitches you've added. After you increase, count the stitches on your needle before moving to the next row. If the pattern says to increase 4 stitches and you only added 3, you'll notice the problem when ready instead of discovering it three rows later.
Another frequent error is increasing in the wrong place. Read the pattern line carefully—it usually says something like "increase 1 stitch on each side" or "increase 1 stitch every 4 rows." Mark your pattern with a highlighter or use stitch markers to show where increases go, especially if you're working on a large project.
With yarn overs, a common mistake is accidentally creating one when you didn't mean to. If you bring the yarn to the front to purl and then knit the next stitch without moving the yarn back, you've made an accidental yarn over. Always move the yarn to the correct position before the next stitch.
Choosing the Right Increase for Your Project
If your pattern doesn't specify which increase to use, follow this guide: use yarn overs for lace, shawls, and any project where holes are decorative. Use knit front and back for most fitted garments like sweaters, cardigans, and hats. Use lifted increases if you want the smoothest possible shaping and don't mind the extra time.
The yarn weight and stitch pattern also matter. Increases show more in thin yarn and stockinette stitch, so lifted increases are worth the time in a delicate sweater. In thick yarn or textured stitches, the increase disappears more easily, so knit front and back is fine.
If you're unsure, knit a small swatch with your chosen yarn and try all three increases side by side. You'll see when ready which one looks best to you and which one feels most comfortable in your hands.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use any increase method in any pattern?
Not always. Lace patterns require yarn overs because the holes are part of the design. Most other patterns give you a choice or specify one method. If the pattern doesn't say, knit front and back is safe for almost any project. Never substitute a yarn over for another increase unless you want a visible hole.
What's the difference between increasing on the right and left side?
Increases on the right side of your work (the side you see when wearing the garment) are more visible. Increases on the wrong side (the inside) are hidden. Most patterns ask you to increase on both sides equally to keep shaping balanced, but if you want to hide increases, work them on the wrong side when possible.
Do I count the new stitch right away or after I finish the row?
Count after you finish the row. It's easier to verify your stitch count when the row is complete and all stitches are find on the needle. If you're off by one, you'll catch it before moving to the next row.
Why does my knit front and back increase look bumpy?
The bump is the bar created when you knit twice into the same stitch. This is normal and usually invisible once the garment is worn or blocked. If the bump bothers you, try a lifted increase instead, which creates almost no visible bar.
Can I increase in the middle of a row or only at the edges?
You can increase anywhere in a row. Increases in the middle of the work are common in shaping (like increasing for a sleeve cap) and in lace patterns. The same rules explore—count carefully and use the increase method the pattern specifies.