The two main ways to add stitches mid-row

An increase in knitting means adding a new stitch to your needle so you have more stitches than you started with. The two methods you will use most often are the yarn over and the knit front and back (KFB). A yarn over creates a deliberate hole in your fabric and is visible — use it when the pattern calls for it or when you want a decorative effect. Knit front and back adds a stitch without a hole and blends into the fabric — use it when you need to increase but want the increase to be invisible.

Both methods work on any row, and both are faster than casting on new stitches. The choice depends on whether your pattern specifies which one to use, and whether you want the increase to show.

Key Takeaways

  • Yarn over creates a visible hole and is used for lace patterns or when the pattern specifically calls for it.
  • Knit front and back adds a stitch without creating a hole and is the standard invisible increase for shaping.
  • Both methods happen on the needle in your working hand and take only a second once you know the motion.
  • The increase sits one stitch to the left of where you made it, so plan your placement one stitch before where you want the new stitch to appear.

Yarn over: the visible increase

A yarn over is the simplest increase to execute. Bring your working yarn to the front of your work (the side facing you). Knit the next stitch normally. The yarn that was in front is now behind the new stitch, and you have created a new loop on your needle — that loop is your increase. The hole it leaves is intentional and part of the design.

Yarn overs are standard in lace knitting, where the holes form a pattern. They are also used in eyelet rows (a row of small holes used for threading ribbon through) and in patterns that call for decorative increases. If your pattern says "yarn over" or shows the symbol that looks like a small circle, use this method.

The yarn over sits on your needle as a loop with no stitch below it. When you knit into it on the next row, treat it like any other stitch — do not pull it tight or it will distort the hole.

Knit front and back: the invisible increase

Knit front and back (KFB) is the workhorse increase for shaping — sleeves, waistlines, and any place where you need more stitches but do not want a visible hole. Insert your needle into the front of the stitch as if you were going to knit it normally. Knit the stitch and leave it on the left needle. Now insert your needle into the back of that same stitch (from right to left, going through the back loop) and knit it again. Slip the stitch off the left needle. You now have two stitches where there was one.

The motion is: knit the front, do not drop the stitch, knit the back of the same stitch, then drop it. The new stitch sits slightly to the left of the original stitch, so if your pattern says "increase 1 stitch in the next stitch," you work KFB in that stitch and the increase is done.

KFB creates a small bump on the right side of the fabric, but it is much less noticeable than a yarn over. Many patterns use KFB for increases that are meant to be invisible or nearly so. If your pattern does not specify which increase to use, KFB is usually the safe choice for shaping.

Where to place increases on your row

Most patterns tell you exactly where to increase: "increase 1 stitch 2 stitches from the edge" or "increase 1 stitch in every 4th stitch." Read the instruction carefully and count from the edge of your needle to find the right stitch.

If you are increasing for shaping (like adding stitches for a sleeve cap), place increases one or two stitches in from the edge. This creates a neater edge and makes seaming easier later. If you are increasing across a row to add many stitches at once, space them evenly so the increases are distributed and the fabric does not bunch in one spot.

A common pattern for even spacing is to increase in every 3rd or 4th stitch across the row. Count your total stitches, divide by the number of increases you need, and that tells you roughly how many stitches apart to space them. You do not have to be exact — being off by one stitch in either direction will not be visible in the finished piece.

Increases that lean left or right

Once you are comfortable with basic increases, you may see patterns that call for "left-leaning" or "right-leaning" increases. These are used in pairs on either side of a center line to create a symmetrical shaping line — like on the sides of a cardigan or the edges of a triangular shawl.

A right-leaning increase (the standard KFB) slants toward the right. A left-leaning increase is made by inserting your needle through the back loop first, then the front loop, which makes the new stitch slant left. Paired increases create a balanced look, but they are optional — many patterns work fine with increases that all lean the same way.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common mistake is dropping the stitch too early when doing KFB. Make sure you knit both the front and the back of the stitch before you slip it off the left needle. If you drop it after the first knit, you will have only one stitch instead of two, and you will have to rip back.

Another mistake is pulling the yarn too tight after an increase. The new stitch should sit on your needle with the same tension as the stitches around it. If you pull hard, the increase will look pinched and the fabric will pucker.

With yarn overs, the mistake is treating the hole as a mistake. The hole is the point — do not try to close it or make it smaller. Knit into it normally on the next row and it will stay open and even.

When to increase on knit rows versus purl rows

You can increase on either a knit row or a purl row. The method stays the same: yarn over is yarn over, and KFB is KFB. The only difference is that on a purl row, you are working with the yarn in front instead of in back, so the motion feels slightly different — but the result is the same.

Most patterns specify which row to increase on, so follow the pattern. If you are designing your own increases, it does not matter whether you increase on a knit or purl row as long as you do it consistently and space the increases evenly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an increase and casting on new stitches?

Casting on adds stitches at the edge of your work and creates a finished edge. An increase adds stitches in the middle of a row and integrates them into the fabric. Increases are used for shaping within a piece; casting on is used at the beginning or when you need a new edge.

Can I use yarn over for shaping instead of knit front and back?

Yes, but yarn over creates a hole, so the shaping line will be visible. Many patterns use yarn overs for shaping in lace or openwork garments where the holes are part of the design. For solid fabric, KFB is the standard choice because the increase blends in.

What if I increase in the wrong place?

Rip back to the row where you made the mistake, count your stitches to confirm the error, and knit forward again. If you are only one or two rows in, ripping back is faster than trying to fix it in place. If you are many rows in and the mistake is not visible, you can leave it — most increases are not noticeable once the garment is worn.

Do I count the new stitch from an increase toward my stitch count?

Yes. If you start a row with 40 stitches and increase 2 stitches, you end the row with 42 stitches. The pattern will tell you what your stitch count should be after each increase row, so check your count against the pattern to make sure you increased the right number of times.