How To Knit A Yarn Over (YO) + A Video Tutorial

In this blog post, you will learn everything you need to know about how to knit a yarn over, plus a stitch tutorial. In knitting, a “yarn over” (YO) is a technique used to create an extra stitch and an intentional little hole or eyelet in your fabric. It’s a type of increase, and it’s considered one of the easier ones for new knitters but not the most inconspicuous one. So yarn yarnovers are mostly used as decorative increases in various patterns. You will likely spot a yarn over in a lace knitting pattern.

How To Knit A Yarn Over?

Hold the knitting needles with the stitches you’ve already worked in your left hand. The working yarn should be in your right hand. Position the working yarn in the back of the work if you’re about to knit a stitch (to create a YO between knit stitches) or in the front if you’re about to purl a stitch (to create a YO between stitches). For a YO between knit stitches: Bring the yarn from the back of your work to the front between the needles. Insert the right-hand needle into the next stitch as if to knit. Check out a video tutorial here – How To Yarn Over In Knitting

In What Knitting Patterns Do We See Yarnovers?

How To Knit Into A Yarn Over?

How To Knit A Yarn Over Without A Hole?

To knit a yarn over (YO) without creating a hole, you can use a modified method that twists the YO to close the eyelet.

Here’s how you can do it:

1. Twisted Yarn Over (TYO):
   • On the row where you create the YO, bring the working yarn from the back to the front (for a YO between knit stitches) or from the front to the back (for a YO between purl stitches) as usual.
   • Insert your right needle into the YO from back to front (for a YO between knit stitches) or front to back (for a YO between purl stitches), but make sure to insert it through the back loop of the YO.
   • Wrap the working yarn around the right-hand needle in the appropriate direction (clockwise for knit, counterclockwise for purl) for the stitch you are working.
   • Complete the knit or purl stitch as you normally would by pulling the wrapped working yarn through the twisted YO.
   • Slide the twisted YO off the left needle.

This is a useful technique when you want to maintain the integrity of your fabric, such as in some textured patterns or where you don’t want visible eyelets.

Understanding a Yarn Over

The yarn over (YO) is a unique increase method in knitting that intentionally creates a small hole in the fabric for decorative purposes or as part of lace patterns. Realizing its potential requires knowing its nuances:

1. It introduces a new stitch on your needle, thus increasing your total stitch count.

2. It breaks uniformity by creating an intentional decorative hole in the design.

3. It’s a key component in making intricate lace patterns.

4. Notably, YOs can be performed both knitwise and purlwise.

5. Depending on how the yarn is wrapped over the needle, different effects can be achieved – a key aspect to consider for project planning.

6. Alongside standard YOs, there also exist double or even triple yarn overs for bigger holes or wrapped stitches.

7. Reading patterns involving YOs, like ‘yo, k2, ssk’ would mean you’ll need to yarn over, knit two stitches, then slip, slip, knit. Understand these essential knitting abbreviations for successful patterns relating to YOs.

Understanding these concepts is crucial to mastering the yarn over technique and progressing to more complex patterns. The next sections will provide a step-by-step guide to execute different types of yarn overs, learn when and why to use them in your knitting projects.

Helpful Tips About Yarn Overs

Here are some tips to keep in mind when working with yarn overs:

• Follow the Pattern: Always follow the specific instructions in your knitting pattern for yarn overs.
• Patterns will dictate when and how to perform YOs, and they may use different techniques or variations.
• Practice Tension: Maintain even tension when working YOs to ensure that the resulting eyelets are consistent in size and appearance. You don’t want smaller or bigger holes throughout your project.
• Yarn Type: The type of yarn you use can affect the appearance of your YOs. Fine, smooth yarns may create more delicate YOs, while textured or fuzzy yarns can give a different look.
• Yarn Over Placement: YOs can be placed between stitches (before or after a stitch) or within a sequence of stitches. Be sure to understand where the YOs are intended to go in your pattern.
• Stitch Count: When you come to a row with YOs, make sure you have the correct total number of stitches, considering both the YOs and the decreases that often accompany them.
• Lifelines: In complex lace patterns, consider using lifelines to thread through the stitches before working a challenging row. Lifelines can be a lifesaver if you need to rip back your work.
• Blocking: YOs often look their best after blocking. Blocking helps even out the stitches and open up the lacework, enhancing the YOs’ appearance.
• Practice: If you’re new to knitting YOs, practice on a swatch or sample before tackling a complex pattern. This will help you get a feel for the technique.
• Stay Patient: Lace knitting with YOs can be challenging, so be patient with yourself. Mistakes are common, and they can often be fixed with some careful tinkering or a crochet hook.

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