The two main ways to add a stitch mid-row

Adding a stitch while you knit is done with two methods: yarn over and make one. A yarn over creates a deliberate hole in your fabric—you straightforward wrap yarn around the needle without knitting into a stitch. A make one adds a stitch without a hole by lifting the strand between two stitches and knitting into it. Which one you use depends on whether your pattern calls for a decorative eyelet or a hidden increase.

Both methods work mid-row and take only a second once you know the motion. The yarn over is faster and more visible; the make one is invisible and used when you need extra fabric without changing the look of your work.

Key Takeaways

  • A yarn over adds a stitch by wrapping yarn around the needle without knitting, and creates a small hole in the fabric.
  • A make one adds a stitch by lifting the strand between two existing stitches and knitting into it, leaving no hole.
  • Yarn overs work best for lace patterns and decorative increases; make ones work best for shaping garments invisibly.
  • Both methods can be done on any row and take practice to keep tension even on the new stitch.

How to do a yarn over

A yarn over is the simpler of the two methods. Knit the stitch before where you want the new stitch to appear. Then, instead of knitting the next stitch, straightforward bring your working yarn to the front of your needles (the side facing you), wrap it around the right needle from front to back, and knit the next stitch normally. The wrap around the needle becomes your new stitch.

The hole appears because you skipped knitting a stitch—the yarn over adds one, but you didn't decrease one to balance it. This is intentional in lace patterns and decorative shawls. If you do a yarn over without decreasing elsewhere in the row, your stitch count goes up by one.

Keep the tension on the yarn over loose enough that it doesn't pull the surrounding stitches tight. A yarn over that's too tight will look pinched and won't create the open, airy hole that makes lace patterns beautiful.

How to do a make one

A make one is done between two stitches. Knit up to the point where you want the new stitch. Insert your left needle from front to back under the horizontal strand of yarn that runs between the stitch you just knitted and the next stitch on your left needle. This strand is called the running thread.

Once the running thread is on your left needle, knit into it as you would any other stitch. The new stitch is now on your right needle. The make one is complete and invisible—no hole, just extra fabric.

The direction you insert your needle matters slightly for appearance. Inserting from front to back (the standard method) creates a stitch that leans slightly left. Some patterns specify a left-leaning or right-leaning make one for shaping, but for most garment increases, the standard method works fine.

When to use yarn over versus make one

Use a yarn over when your pattern specifically calls for one, or when you want a visible hole. Lace shawls, openwork sweaters, and decorative edgings all use yarn overs. They are also common in eyelet buttonholes and in patterns where the holes are part of the design.

Use a make one when you are shaping a garment—increasing for sleeve caps, bust shaping, or waist shaping—and you want the increase to be invisible. Make ones blend into the fabric and don't interrupt the visual flow of your pattern stitches. They are also used in most increases for fitted garments where you want clean lines.

Keeping tension even on new stitches

The most common mistake when adding stitches is making the new stitch too loose or too tight. If it's too loose, it will look like a gap in your knitting. If it's too tight, it will pull the stitches around it out of shape.

For a yarn over, keep the wrap around your needle relaxed—don't pull the yarn tight as you wrap. For a make one, don't pull hard on the running thread as you lift it onto your needle. After you knit the new stitch, the tension should feel the same as the stitches around it.

If you notice new stitches are consistently loose or tight, adjust how much tension you hold on the yarn as you work. It often takes a few rows to find the right feel, especially if you are new to increases.

Adding multiple stitches in one row

If your pattern calls for adding several stitches in the same row, space them out evenly. For example, if you need to add four stitches across a row of 20 stitches, add one new stitch roughly every five stitches. This keeps the increases from bunching up in one spot and creates even shaping.

Work each increase the same way you would work a single one—the only difference is repetition. Count your stitches after you finish the row to make sure you added the right number. It's straightforward to lose count when you are doing multiple increases, so a stitch counter or a piece of scrap yarn can help.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between a yarn over and a make one?

A yarn over wraps yarn around the needle without knitting a stitch, creating a visible hole. A make one lifts the strand between two stitches and knits into it, creating no hole. Use yarn overs for lace and decorative patterns; use make ones for invisible shaping in garments.

Can I add a stitch at the edge of my knitting?

Yes, but edge stitches are usually handled differently than mid-row increases. Most patterns use a cast-on method or a lifted increase at the edge rather than a yarn over or make one. Check your pattern for the specific edge technique it calls for.

What if my yarn over looks too loose?

Yarn overs are meant to create a hole, so some looseness is normal. If it looks sloppy, tighten your tension slightly on the next row when you knit into it. If the hole is too big, you may be wrapping the yarn too many times around the needle—one wrap is correct.

Do I need to decrease somewhere if I add a stitch?

Only if you want to keep your stitch count the same. If you add a stitch without decreasing, your total stitch count goes up by one. Most shaping patterns pair increases with decreases to maintain stitch count, but lace patterns often add stitches without decreasing to create the openwork effect.

Can I add a stitch on the purl side of my knitting?

Yes. A yarn over on a purl row is done by bringing yarn to the back of the needles, wrapping around, and purling the next stitch. A make one works the same way—lift the running thread and purl into it instead of knitting.