The Two Main Ways to Add a Stitch

An increase is a deliberate addition of one or more stitches on your needle. The two most common methods are the yarn over and the knit front and back (KFB). A yarn over creates a small decorative hole and is the fastest method — you straightforward bring your yarn to the front of your work and knit the next stitch, leaving the loop on your needle. Knit front and back is invisible and works by knitting into the same stitch twice before dropping it off the needle.

Which method you choose depends on your pattern. Lacy or openwork patterns call for yarn overs because the holes are intentional. Fitted garments like sweaters and hats usually use knit front and back because the increase blends in. Some patterns specify which one to use; if yours does not, knit front and back is the safer choice for a clean-looking fabric.

Key Takeaways

  • Yarn over increases are done by bringing yarn to the front and knitting the next stitch, creating a visible hole that works in lacy patterns.
  • Knit front and back increases are invisible and made by knitting into the same stitch twice before sliding it off the needle.
  • Yarn over takes one motion and is faster, while knit front and back requires two separate knits into one loop.
  • Your pattern will tell you which increase to use, or you can choose knit front and back for a seamless look in most projects.

How to Do a Yarn Over Increase

A yarn over is the simplest increase to execute. Bring your working yarn to the front of your work between the needles. Knit the next stitch normally. When you knit that stitch, the yarn loops over your right needle, and you now have an extra stitch on your needle. That loop becomes a small hole in your fabric.

The yarn over works the same way whether you are working flat (back and forth) or in the round. The key is that your yarn must be in front before you knit. If your yarn is already in front from the previous stitch, you do not need to move it — just knit. If it is in back, bring it forward between the needles. One common mistake is forgetting to move the yarn forward, which means you will accidentally purl instead of knit, and you will not create the increase.

How to Do a Knit Front and Back Increase

Knit front and back is done in two motions on the same stitch. Insert your right needle into the front loop of the next stitch on your left needle and knit it the normal way — but do not slide the stitch off your left needle yet. Leave it sitting there.

Now insert your right needle into the back loop of that same stitch (the loop closest to the tip of your left needle) and knit it again. This time, slide the stitch off your left needle. You now have two stitches on your right needle where you started with one. The two stitches sit side by side, and the increase is nearly invisible because both loops came from the same original stitch.

The most common mistake is knitting too tightly into the back loop, which can twist it. Keep your tension relaxed and let the needle slide through smoothly. If you pull too hard, the stitch will look distorted on the next row.

Where to Place Increases in Your Pattern

Most patterns tell you exactly where to increase by writing something like "increase 1 stitch" or "M1" (make one) or "YO" (yarn over) at a specific point in the row. Follow those instructions. If you are designing your own project or improvising, increases are usually placed one or two stitches in from the edge to keep the edge neat, or spaced evenly across a row to add width gradually.

For a sweater sleeve that grows wider, you might increase one stitch on each side every few rows. For a hat that tapers, you might increase evenly spaced around the entire round. The pattern will guide you on the frequency — how many rows or rounds between increases.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

Forgetting to move your yarn forward before a yarn over is the most frequent error. You will notice because your stitch count will not match your pattern, and the fabric will look wrong. If you catch it on the same row, you can unravel back to the mistake and redo it. If you do not notice until later, you may need to drop down a few rows and fix it with a crochet hook.

With knit front and back, the second-most-common mistake is twisting the back loop. This happens when you insert your needle from the wrong angle or pull too hard. The stitch will look crossed or tilted on the next row. To avoid this, insert your needle from left to right into the back loop, the same direction you would for a normal knit stitch, and keep your tension even.

Another mistake is increasing too many stitches too quickly, which creates a bunched or ruffled edge. If your pattern says to increase every 4 rows, do not increase every 2 rows just to speed up the process. The spacing matters for how the fabric drapes and fits.

Increases in Different Stitch Patterns

Increases work the same way whether you are knitting in garter stitch (knit every row), stockinette (knit one row, purl one row), or ribbing. The increase itself does not change. However, some stitch patterns have their own increase methods. For example, in a cable pattern, you might increase by adding extra stitches between cable crossings. In colorwork, you increase the same way but plan your color changes around the new stitches.

If you are working in ribbing and need to increase, try to increase in a way that keeps the rib pattern balanced. For example, if you have a knit-2, purl-2 rib, increase on a knit stitch so the new stitch is also a knit, keeping the pattern even.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a yarn over and make one?

A yarn over is visible and creates a hole; you bring yarn forward and knit the next stitch. Make one (M1) is invisible and is done by picking up the horizontal strand between two stitches and knitting into it. Patterns specify which one to use. Yarn over is faster and easier for beginners.

Can I increase in the middle of a stitch?

No. Increases are always done by working into a complete stitch on your needle. You either knit into the same stitch twice (knit front and back) or create a loop by bringing yarn forward (yarn over). You cannot split a stitch in half.

What happens if I increase on the wrong row?

Your stitch count will be off by one, and your pattern will not fit correctly. If you notice right away, unravel back to the mistake and redo it. If you do not notice until several rows later, you can drop down to that row with a crochet hook and fix it, or accept the extra stitch and adjust your pattern accordingly.

Do I need to increase at the same spot every time?

Your pattern will tell you where to increase. Usually increases are placed at regular intervals — for example, every 4 rows at the same position in the row. This creates an even, balanced look. If your pattern does not specify, place increases one or two stitches in from the edge for a neat appearance.