What Front and Back of Stitch Does
Front and back of stitch (often written as kfb) is an increase that turns one stitch into two by knitting into the same loop twice — once through the front and once through the back. You work into the front leg of the stitch as normal, leave it on the needle, then knit into the back leg of the same stitch before dropping it off. The result is two stitches where you had one, and your stitch count goes up by one.
This increase sits slightly to the left on your fabric and creates a small bump or bar at its base. It is one of the most common increases in knitting because it is fast, uses no yarn overs, and works well in most stitch patterns. You will see it in sweaters, hats, and shaping projects where you need to add stitches gradually.
Key Takeaways
- Knit front and back works by knitting the front leg of a stitch, then the back leg of the same stitch before dropping it off the needle.
- The increase leans slightly left and creates a visible bar at the base, which matters if you are shaping visible edges.
- The stitch must stay on your left needle until you have worked both the front and back legs.
- Knit front and back works in stockinette, garter, and most other stitch patterns, but avoid it in ribbing unless you want the bar to show.
The Step-by-Step Motion
Insert your right needle through the front of the stitch on your left needle, the same way you would for a regular knit stitch. Wrap your yarn around the right needle and pull the new loop through. Do not drop the stitch off the left needle yet. This is the critical step that most new knitters miss — the original stitch stays put.
Now insert your right needle through the back leg of that same stitch. The back leg is the one closer to the tip of your left needle. Wrap your yarn and pull through again. Now drop the original stitch off the left needle. You now have two stitches on your right needle where you started with one.
The whole motion takes about two seconds once your hands know the path. The hardest part is remembering not to drop the stitch after the first knit. Many knitters accidentally drop it and then have to pick it back up.
Where the Increase Sits on Your Fabric
Knit front and back creates a small horizontal bar just below the new stitches. This bar leans slightly to the left. If you are increasing along an edge that will be seamed or hidden, the bar does not matter. If you are increasing along a visible edge — like the front of a cardigan or the edge of a shawl — the bar will show, and you may want to use a different increase instead.
The bar is part of why some knitters prefer make one left (m1l) or make one right (m1r) increases for visible shaping. Those increases are less noticeable. But knit front and back is faster and does not require you to lift a strand between stitches, so it is still the default for most patterns.
Using Knit Front and Back in Different Stitch Patterns
In stockinette stitch, knit front and back works without any adjustment. The bar blends into the fabric reasonably well, especially if you are increasing every few rows rather than on every row. In garter stitch, the bar is slightly more visible but still acceptable for most projects.
In ribbing, avoid knit front and back unless you want the bar to show as a design feature. The increase will break the rib pattern and leave a visible bump. If you are shaping a ribbed cuff or collar, use a different increase or work your shaping outside the ribbed section.
In lace or openwork patterns, knit front and back is usually paired with a yarn over decrease on the same row to keep your stitch count balanced. Check your pattern instructions — they will tell you which increases and decreases to use.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
The most common error is dropping the stitch off the left needle after the first knit. You end up with only one stitch instead of two. If this happens, pick the dropped stitch back up with your right needle and work the back leg before moving on. It takes an extra second but saves you from having to rip back.
Another mistake is knitting into the wrong leg on the second pass. If you knit into the front leg again instead of the back, you will create a twisted stitch that looks uneven. The back leg is the one closer to the needle tip — it is the leg you see when you look at the stitch from the side.
Some knitters accidentally tighten the stitch too much on the first knit, making the second knit difficult. Keep your tension loose and even on both passes. The two new stitches should feel the same weight as the stitches around them.
When to Use Knit Front and Back Versus Other Increases
Knit front and back is fastest and works well for invisible increases in the middle of a sweater or hat. It is the default for most patterns that do not specify an increase type. Use it when speed matters and the bar will not show.
Use make one left or make one right when you are increasing along a visible edge and want the increase to be nearly invisible. These require lifting a strand between stitches, so they take slightly longer, but the result is cleaner. Use yarn over increases when you want the increase to be a design feature — a visible hole in the fabric.
For most projects, knit front and back is the right choice unless your pattern tells you otherwise. If your pattern says "increase 1 stitch" with no other instruction, knit front and back is what most knitters do.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between knit front and back and make one?
Knit front and back uses an existing stitch to create two stitches and leaves a small bar. Make one lifts the strand between two stitches and knits it, creating an increase with no bar. Make one is less visible but takes longer. Knit front and back is faster and works fine for most projects.
Can I purl front and back?
Yes. Purl front and back works the same way — purl the front leg, leave the stitch on the needle, then purl the back leg. Use it when you are increasing on a purl row or in garter stitch sections. The motion is identical to knit front and back, just with a purl instead of a knit.
Why does my knit front and back stitch look twisted?
You are likely knitting into the front leg twice instead of the front and back. The back leg is the one closer to the needle tip. On the second pass, make sure your needle goes through the back leg only. If the stitch is too tight, loosen your tension on the first knit.
Does the bar from knit front and back always show?
The bar is most visible on the first row after the increase. As you work more rows, it blends into the fabric. In stockinette, it is barely noticeable after a few rows. In garter stitch, it shows more. If the bar bothers you, use make one instead, or work your increases in a seam allowance where they will not be seen.
Can I use knit front and back for decreasing?
No. Knit front and back adds a stitch. To decrease, you use techniques like knit two together (k2tog) or slip, slip, knit (ssk). These remove stitches instead of adding them.