The Two Main Ways to Add Stitches

You increase stitches in knitting by creating new loops from existing stitches or yarn. The two most common methods are the yarn over and the knit front and back (KFB). A yarn over creates a deliberate hole by wrapping yarn around your needle between stitches. Knit front and back works by knitting into the same stitch twice—once through the front loop and once through the back loop—before dropping it off the needle.

Which method you choose depends on your pattern and the look you want. Yarn overs are visible and often decorative, used in lace patterns and eyelet designs. Knit front and back is invisible and works well when you need to add stitches without creating holes. Most patterns will tell you which increase to use and where to place it.

Key Takeaways

  • Yarn over creates a visible hole and is made by wrapping yarn around the needle between two stitches.
  • Knit front and back adds a stitch invisibly by knitting into the same stitch twice before removing it from the needle.
  • The make one (M1) increase is worked between stitches by picking up the horizontal strand of yarn and knitting it, and leaves almost no trace.
  • Always count your stitches after increasing to make sure you have the number your pattern calls for.
  • Increases are usually spaced evenly across a row or round, and your pattern will specify exactly where to place them.

Yarn Over: Creating a Decorative Hole

A yarn over (YO) is the simplest increase to learn. 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 wraps around the needle and creates a new loop. On the next row, you will knit this loop as a regular stitch, and it leaves a small hole behind.

Yarn overs are intentional and visible, so they work best in patterns designed for them. Lace shawls, doilies, and decorative sweaters use yarn overs to create patterns of holes. If your pattern shows a small circle or "o" symbol, that is where a yarn over goes. The hole is part of the design, not a mistake.

The timing matters slightly depending on what stitch comes before or after. If you are about to knit, bring yarn to front, then knit. If you are about to purl, bring yarn to back, then purl. The yarn naturally wraps around the needle as you work the next stitch.

Knit Front and Back: An Invisible Increase

The knit front and back (KFB) increase works by using one stitch to make two. Insert your right needle through the front loop of the stitch on your left needle and knit it normally. Do not drop the stitch off the left needle yet. Instead, insert your right needle through the back loop of the same stitch and knit again. Now drop the stitch off the left needle. You have created two stitches from one.

This increase is nearly invisible because it does not create a hole. Use it when your pattern calls for increases but does not want them to show. Shaping the sides of a sweater or adding stitches in the middle of stockinette stitch are common places for KFB increases. The new stitch sits right next to the original one, and the increase blends into the fabric.

KFB is faster than some other increases because it happens in one motion. The trade-off is that it can leave a small bump or bar where the two stitches meet, especially if you knit tightly. This is normal and usually disappears after blocking.

Make One: A Nearly Invisible Increase Between Stitches

The make one (M1) increase is worked between two stitches rather than into a stitch itself. With your left needle, pick up the horizontal strand of yarn that runs between the stitch you just knitted and the next stitch on your left needle. Insert your right needle through this strand and knit it. This creates a new stitch without disturbing the stitches on either side.

Make one is the most invisible increase because it distributes the new stitch evenly between two existing stitches. Patterns that need increases to be completely hidden—like the crown of a hat or the sides of a fitted garment—often call for M1. The increase sits so naturally that most people will not notice it is there.

There is a left-leaning and right-leaning version of make one, depending on which direction you pick up the strand. Your pattern will specify which one to use if it matters. For most projects, either direction works fine. The key is picking up that horizontal strand cleanly so you have something to knit into.

Where to Place Increases in Your Pattern

Your knitting pattern will tell you exactly where to increase. Common notation includes "inc 1" or "M1" or "YO" at specific points in the row or round. Some patterns say "increase evenly across" a row, which means you divide the total number of increases by the number of stitches and space them out. For example, if you have 60 stitches and need to increase 10 stitches, you would increase roughly every 6 stitches.

When increases are spaced evenly, the shaping looks balanced and professional. Increases clustered in one spot can create an uneven edge or a bulge. If your pattern does not specify spacing, count your stitches, divide by the number of increases you need, and mark where each one goes with stitch markers or a piece of scrap yarn.

Always read the row or round before you start knitting it. Knowing where your increases go ahead of time prevents mistakes and keeps your rhythm steady. Many knitters place a marker or make a note on their pattern sheet so they do not lose track mid-row.

Counting Stitches After You Increase

After you finish a row or round with increases, count your stitches before moving on. This takes 30 seconds and catches mistakes before they compound. If your pattern said to increase 5 stitches and you started with 60, you should now have 65. If you have 64 or 66, you either missed an increase or added one by accident.

Catching a missing increase on the same row is much easier than discovering it three rows later. If you find a mistake, you can usually pick it up and fix it without unraveling. If you do not notice until later, you may have to frog (unravel) back to that row. A quick count takes seconds and saves time overall.

Use a stitch counter or write the number down. Do not rely on memory, especially if you are knitting while watching television or talking. A straightforward tally mark on a piece of paper works just as well as a fancy counter.

Common Mistakes When Increasing

The most common mistake is accidentally creating an extra stitch by not dropping the old stitch off the needle. When you knit front and back, make sure you drop the original stitch after you knit the back loop. If you leave it on the needle, you have added two stitches instead of one. Check your needle after each KFB to confirm the stitch is gone.

Another mistake is picking up the wrong strand for a make one increase. The horizontal strand sits between two stitches on the needle. If you pick up a strand that is part of a stitch itself, you will distort the stitches around it. Practice picking up the strand slowly and deliberately until it becomes automatic.

Yarn overs are often missed because they are straightforward to forget. If your pattern has several yarn overs in a row, mark each one with a stitch marker or highlight it on your pattern. A missed yarn over leaves you with fewer stitches than you should have, and you will notice the discrepancy when you count.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between increasing and adding stitches by casting on?

Increasing happens within your knitting and uses existing stitches or yarn to create new ones. Casting on adds stitches at the edge of your work before you start knitting. Increases are used mid-project to shape garments or add stitches in the middle of a piece. Casting on is only used at the beginning or when you need to add stitches along an edge.

Can I use any increase method in any pattern?

Not always. Yarn overs create visible holes, so they only work in patterns designed for them. Knit front and back and make one are interchangeable in most patterns because both are nearly invisible. Always follow your pattern's instructions first. If your pattern does not specify which increase to use, KFB and M1 are usually safe choices.

Why does my increase create a bump or bar?

A small bump or bar is normal, especially with knit front and back. It is the place where the two stitches meet. This usually disappears or becomes much less noticeable after you block your finished piece. If the bump bothers you, try make one instead, which distributes the new stitch more evenly.

How do I increase stitches in the round?

The same methods work in the round as they do in flat knitting. Yarn over, knit front and back, and make one all function the same way whether you are knitting in rows or rounds. Just follow your pattern's instructions for where to place the increases around the circle. Many circular patterns space increases evenly so the shaping is balanced all the way around.

What if I increase in the wrong place?

If you notice the mistake on the same row, you can usually drop back one stitch and fix it without unraveling the whole row. If you do not notice until later, you may need to unravel back to that row. This is why counting stitches after each increase row is important—it catches mistakes while they are still straightforward to fix.