What Front and Back Knitting Does

Knit front and back (often written as KFB) is a way to increase one stitch into two stitches in a single row. Instead of knitting once into a loop and moving on, you knit into the same loop twice — first through the front, then through the back — before sliding it off the needle. This creates two new stitches where one existed before.

The result is a small hole or bump on your fabric, depending on how tight you work it. Because of this visible mark, KFB is most useful in projects where increases are meant to show — like lace patterns, decorative shaping, or textured designs. If you need invisible increases, other methods work better, but KFB is fast and requires no extra yarn or needle work.

Key Takeaways

  • Knit front and back creates two stitches from one by working into the same loop twice before removing it from the needle.
  • The increase leaves a small visible mark, so it works best in patterns where texture or shaping is meant to show.
  • You need only your working yarn and needles — no extra tools or yarn strands required.
  • The stitch sits slightly twisted on the needle after you complete it, which is normal and does not affect the fabric.

The Step-by-Step Motion

Insert your right needle through the front of the stitch on your left needle, from left to right, the way you would for a normal knit stitch. Wrap your working yarn around the right needle and pull it through, but do not slide the original stitch off the left needle yet. You now have one new stitch on the right needle and the original stitch still on the left needle.

Without removing the stitch, reposition your right needle to go through the back of that same stitch — from right to left this time. Wrap your yarn around the right needle again and pull through. Now slide the original stitch off the left needle. You have created two stitches from one.

The second stitch (the one from the back) will sit slightly twisted on your needle. This is correct. When you knit it in the next row, it will straighten out and blend with the rest of your fabric.

Where KFB Fits in Common Patterns

Lace and openwork patterns often call for KFB paired with yarn overs or decreases to create deliberate texture. The visible increase becomes part of the design. Shawls, particularly triangular or crescent shapes, frequently use KFB at the edges or in specific rows to build width gradually while keeping the increases visible and intentional.

Fitted garments sometimes use KFB for waist shaping or bust darts, though designers usually note when they want a visible increase versus an invisible one. Check your pattern instructions — if it says KFB, use this method. If it says "increase invisibly" or "M1" (make one), those are different techniques that hide the increase inside the fabric.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most frequent error is sliding the stitch off the needle after the first knit, before you work into the back. If you do this, you have only created one stitch, not two. Slow down and remind yourself: front, wrap, pull through, keep the stitch on the needle, then back, wrap, pull through, then remove it.

Another common issue is pulling too tightly on the working yarn when you knit into the back. This can distort the stitch and make it hard to work into on the next row. Keep the same tension you use for regular knit stitches — the yarn should flow smoothly without you forcing it.

Some knitters accidentally twist the stitch when going through the back loop. If your increases look uneven or lopsided, check that you are going through the back of the loop from right to left, not left to right. The direction matters for the stitch to sit correctly.

KFB Compared to Other Increase Methods

The main alternative is the M1 (make one) increase, which picks up the horizontal strand between two stitches and knits it. M1 is invisible — the increase blends into the fabric with no visible hole or bump. It takes slightly longer because you have to locate and lift that strand, but many knitters prefer it for garments where increases should not show.

A yarn over increase (YO) is even faster than KFB and creates a deliberate eyelet hole. It is used in lace patterns where the hole is part of the design. Unlike KFB, a yarn over does not require you to work into an existing stitch.

For speed and simplicity in textured or lace work, KFB wins. For invisible shaping in fitted garments, M1 is the better choice. Your pattern will usually specify which one to use, and following that instruction matters for how the finished piece looks and fits.

Tension and Consistency Across Rows

Because KFB creates a visible mark, the quality of that mark depends on how evenly you tension your yarn. If some increases are tight and others loose, they will stand out unevenly across your work. Knit into the front and back with the same relaxed tension you use for your regular stitches.

If you are increasing multiple times in one row — for example, at the beginning and end of every row to shape a shawl — space them consistently and work them the same way each time. This creates a balanced, intentional look rather than a scattered or accidental appearance.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does KFB stand for?

KFB is shorthand for "knit front and back." Knitting patterns use this abbreviation to tell you to increase one stitch into two by working into the same loop twice.

Does the twisted stitch from the back loop cause problems later?

No. The slight twist straightens out when you knit into it on the next row. By the time you have worked a few rows past the increase, the twist is invisible and the fabric looks normal.

Can I use KFB on purl rows?

Yes. The method is the same — purl into the front, keep the stitch on the needle, purl into the back, then remove it. This is written as PFB in patterns and works identically to KFB.

Why does my KFB increase look like a hole?

A very visible hole usually means you are pulling the yarn too tightly when you work into the back loop, or the stitch was already loose on the needle. Try relaxing your tension slightly. Some patterns intentionally create this effect; others want a tighter, less obvious increase.

Is KFB the only way to increase in knitting?

No. M1 (make one), yarn overs, and lifted increases are other common methods. Each creates a different look and serves different purposes. Your pattern will tell you which one to use for that particular project.