Learn how to knit a yarn over in knitting between both knit stitches and purl stitches with these two video tutorials!

Yarn overs are a single stitch increase often used to make a small eyelet or hole either in part of a textured knitting pattern or in lace knitting. Yarn over is often abbreviated as yo in knitting patterns.

Since a yarn over in knitting is created by moving the working yarn from front to back or back to front an extra time in between knitting or purling stitches, they are also one of the MOST common mistakes brand new knitters make when they’re learning to knit. We’ve all done it, so don’t feel badly if this happens to you!

But when yarn overs are used correctly as part of a knitting pattern, especially a lace knitting pattern, they can be really lovely!

I know lace knitting sounds scary, but it’s really just a combination of yarn overs and decreases (often k2tog) arranged in a pretty pattern. When you think of it like that, it makes sense, doesn’t it?

Today, I have step by step photos to show you how to do a yarn over in-between knit stitches and I have video tutorials showing how to do a yarn over in-between knit stitches AND in-between purl stitches. If you want to learn how to do yo in knitting, you are in the right place!

Yarn Over Instructions

1. To do a yarn over in knitting, start with the working yarn in back
2. Bring the yarn forward between the knitting needles
3. Bring the yarn over the right knitting needle and bring the yarn back to the back of your work
4. Continue on and knit the next stitch, while still holding the yarn to the back
5. After you have knit the next stitch you will see the yarn over between the two knit stitches
6. A yarn over will appear as a hole between two knit stitches and is an increase of one stitch

Make a yarn over (yo) between knit stitches:

Make a yarn over (yo) between purl stitches:

How To Do a Yarn Over

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Learn how to do a yarn over increase between knit stitches in your next knitting project!

Active Time 1 minute

Total Time 1 minute

Difficulty Easy

Estimated Cost $0

Materials

• Yarn

Tools

• Knitting needles

Instructions

1. Start with the working yarn in back
2. Bring the yarn forward between the knitting needles
3. Bring the yarn over the right knitting needle and bring the yarn back to the back of your work
4. Continue on and knit the next stitch, while still holding the yarn to the back
5. After you have knit the next stitch you will see the yarn over between the two knit stitches
6. A yarn over will appear as a hole between two knit stitches and is an increase of one stitch

Notes

Watch the video to see how to do a yarn over in action!

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Cassie May

Craft and Knitwear Designer at Little Red Window Design

Welcome to Little Red Window! I’m Cassie, a professional craft and knitwear designer working in the field for more than 10 years. I have a degree in Art History from Northwestern University and a Master's Degree in Architecture and Design from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee. I've designed more than 300 separate knitting patterns, hundreds of craft projects, and I love to bring joy to your crafts and knitting with well-designed, easy to understand tutorials and patterns.

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