What knitting into front and back means

Knitting into the front and back of a stitch (often written as kfb) is a way to increase by one stitch in a single motion. Instead of working into a stitch once and moving on, you work into it twice — first through the front loop, then through the back loop — before sliding the original stitch off the needle. This creates two stitches where there was one.

The result is a small, slanted increase that leans to the right. It's one of the most common increases in knitting because it's fast, uses no extra yarn, and creates a neat edge that blends into stockinette stitch or garter stitch without much fuss.

Key Takeaways

  • Knit into the front loop of the stitch first, leave it on the needle, then knit into the back loop of the same stitch.
  • The increase leans to the right and works best when you need a visible but not decorative increase.
  • You can work kfb on a knit row or a purl row — the technique is the same, just using your working yarn from the correct side.
  • Practice on a swatch first so the motion becomes automatic and your tension stays even on both stitches.

Step-by-step: how to knit into front and back

Start with your working yarn in the correct position for a knit stitch (in back of the needles). Insert your right needle through the front loop of the stitch on the left needle from left to right, the same way you would for a regular knit stitch. Wrap the yarn around the right needle and pull through to create a new loop, but do not slide the original stitch off the left needle yet.

Now insert your right needle through the back loop of that same stitch — go in from right to left, through the loop that sits at the back of the needle. Wrap the yarn around the right needle again and pull through. Now slide the original stitch off the left needle. You now have two stitches on the right needle where you started with one.

The whole motion takes about two seconds once you've done it a few times. The key is remembering not to drop the stitch after the first knit — that's the most common mistake.

Tension and consistency on both stitches

Many knitters find that the first stitch (the one through the front) is tighter than the second (through the back), or vice versa. This happens because your tension changes slightly between the two passes. To even this out, knit both stitches at the same tension you use for regular stitches, and don't pull the yarn extra tight on either one.

If you notice a visible gap or loose spot where you did the increase, it's usually because the second stitch was worked too loosely. On your next kfb, focus on keeping the yarn tension steady as you wrap it the second time. A swatch of 20 or 30 stitches with kfb increases scattered through it is a good way to practice until the motion feels natural.

Using kfb on purl rows

You can also increase using kfb on a purl row — this is sometimes written as pfb (purl into front and back). The technique is identical, except your working yarn starts in front of the needles instead of in back. Purl into the front loop, leave the stitch on the needle, then purl into the back loop, and drop the original stitch.

The increase will lean the opposite direction on a purl row compared to a knit row, so if you're working stockinette stitch and want increases to lean consistently, you'll use kfb on knit rows and a different increase (like a yarn over or lifted increase) on purl rows. Many patterns specify which increase to use on which row for this reason.

When kfb is the right choice

Kfb works well for increases that don't need to be decorative — shaping the sides of a sweater, adding stitches for a sleeve cap, or increasing gradually in a hat. The increase is visible but subtle, and it doesn't create the eyelet hole that a yarn over does.

If a pattern calls for "increase 1" or "inc 1" without specifying the method, kfb is usually the default. Some patterns ask for a "right-leaning increase" or "left-leaning increase" — kfb is right-leaning, so it's the choice for right-leaning increases. If you need a left-leaning increase, you'd use a different method like knitting through the back loop first, then the front loop (kbl, then k).

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most frequent error is dropping the stitch after the first knit instead of leaving it on the needle. If this happens, you'll end up with only one stitch instead of two, and your stitch count will be off. Slow down on your first few attempts and consciously leave the stitch on the needle after the first pass.

The second common issue is uneven tension between the two stitches, which shows as a loose or tight spot in the fabric. This usually improves with practice — your hands learn the rhythm and your tension evens out. If it's still visible after a few rows, try knitting the two new stitches slightly tighter on the next row to compensate.

A third mistake is working into the wrong loop. The front loop is the one closest to you; the back loop is the one farther away. If you're unsure which is which, look at the stitch from above before you insert the needle.

Practicing kfb on a test swatch

Cast on 20 stitches in a worsted-weight yarn and a needle size you're comfortable with. Knit 4 rows in garter stitch (knit every row). On row 5, knit 2, then kfb in the next stitch, knit 2, kfb, knit 2, kfb, knit to the end. You've now added 3 stitches. Knit 3 more rows, then repeat the increase row. Keep going for 20 or 30 rows.

This swatch shows you how kfb looks in context and gives you plenty of repetitions to build muscle memory. You'll see the small right-leaning increases running up the fabric, and you'll feel how the motion should flow. Once this feels automatic, you're ready to use kfb in an actual project.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is kfb the same as a yarn over increase?

No. A yarn over creates a decorative eyelet hole and adds a stitch by wrapping the yarn around the needle. Kfb creates no hole and adds a stitch by working twice into the same stitch. Use yarn overs when you want a visible, lacy increase; use kfb when you want an increase that blends into the fabric.

Can I use kfb to increase multiple stitches in a row?

Yes. You can do kfb in several stitches across a row — for example, kfb in every stitch to double your stitch count, or kfb every other stitch to add half as many stitches. The increases will line up vertically if you repeat them in the same positions on following rows, creating a column of increases.

What does kfb look like on the wrong side of the fabric?

On the wrong side (the purl side of stockinette), kfb looks like a small bump or knot. This is normal and part of how the increase works. If you're working a project where the wrong side will be visible, you might choose a different increase method that looks neater from both sides.

Do I need to do anything special after a kfb increase?

No. Treat the two new stitches as regular stitches on the next row — knit or purl them as the pattern calls for. There's no need to twist them or work them differently. They'll settle into the fabric as you work the following rows.