How to Yarn Over

Co-authored by Sarah Stearns

Last Updated: December 20, 2024

When a pattern calls for a yarn over (abbreviated yo), you are adding an extra stitch to your work. When you go back over this stitch on the next row, you will get a lace-like hole in your work that also acts as an increase. This article will show you how to do two different styles of the yarn over: English and Continental.

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Doing a Yarn Over English Style

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1
Have at least one stitch done on your right needle. The left needle will have the rest of the stitches. In this tutorial, the stitch just before the yarn over will be called the "first stitch." The stitch after the yarn over will be called the "next stitch."
- Pay attention to your stitch pattern. When working the English style, you will need to move the yarn into the correct position. This will depend on what the first stitch was, and what the next stitch will be. ^{[1]
  X
  Research source}
2
If the first stitch and the next stitch are both knits, wrap the yarn under and over the needle. Bring the yarn towards you, under the right needle. Next, drape the yarn over the top of the needle, away from you.
- This is called a "yarn forward" or "yfwd" in knitting patterns.
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3
If the first stitch was a knit, and the next stitch is a purl, wrap the yarn around the needle, from back to front. Bring the yarn under the right needle, towards you. Drape the yarn over the top of the right needle, away from you. Next, wrap the yarn under the needle back towards you again.
- This is called a "yarn 'round need" or "yrn" in knitting patterns.
4
If the first stitch was a purl, and the next stitch is a knit, bring the yarn towards the front. Simply drape the yarn over the top of the right needle as you bring it towards you.
- This is called a "yarn over needle" or "yon" in knitting patterns.
5
If the previous stitch and the next stitch are both purls, wrap the yarn, over the needle from front to back. Drape the yarn over the top of the right needle, away from you. Next, wrap the yarn under the right needle, towards you. ^{[2]
X
Research source}
- This is called a "yarn 'round need" or "yrn" in knitting patterns.
6
Finish the next stitch. Stick the right needle through next stitch on the left needle. Wrap the yarn under and over the tip of the right needle. Use the tip of the right needle to pull the yarn back through the stitch. Keep the working yarn on the right needle, and slip the stitch off the left needle.
- Some patterns call for you to yarn over twice. Simply wrap the yarn around the right needle like you did previously, then complete the next stitch.
When you do the next row, you will eventually go over the extra stitch you got from the yarn over. You will get a lace-like hole that also acts as an increase. ^{[3]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Doing a Yarn Over Continental Style

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The left needle should have the rest of the stitches. Unlike the English method, it does not matter what your first and second stitch will be. The working yarn automatically shifts itself into the correct position. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
If you are doing a knit stitch, the yarn will drape over the top of the needle, towards the back. ^{[5]
X
Research source} If you are doing a purl stitch, the yarn will drape over the top of the needle, towards the front.
3
Finish the next stitch. Stick the right needle through next stitch on the left needle. Wrap working yarn under and over the tip of the right needle. Use the right needle to pull the yarn back through. Keep the working yarn on the right needle, then slip the stitch off the left needle.
- Some patterns call for you to yarn over twice. Pick up the working yarn over your right needle again, then complete the next stitch.
When you do the next row, you will eventually go over the extra stitch you got from the yarn over. This will create a lace-like hole in your project that also acts as an increase.

Expert Q&A

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Question

How do I create a foundation row for a V-stitch?

Sarah Stearns
Crochet Expert
Sarah Stearns is a DIY Specialist, Artist, Maker, Blogger, and the Founder of SarahMaker.com. With over ten years of experience, she specializes in fun, approachable crafts like crocheting, making polymer clay jewelry, quilting, and creating Cricut projects. Her work has been featured in several publications, such as Scientific American, Good Housekeeping, Vox, and Apartment Therapy. Sarah holds a BA in Psychology from Vanderbilt University.

Sarah Stearns

Crochet Expert

Expert Answer

Begin with a foundation chain that comprises a multiple of 3+1 stitches. Commence by double crocheting in the 4th chain from the hook. Consider the turning chain and the initial double crochet as the first V-stitch. Skip the next two chains and double-crochet in the subsequent chain. Follow it up by chaining one and double-crocheting in the same stitch. Skip the next two chains, then proceed to form the next V-stitch in the following chain: execute a double crochet, chain one, and double crochet again. Continue this pattern until you reach the end of the chain.

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What is the stitch before the yarn over?

Community Answer

The stitch before the yarn over depends on what pattern you are knitting. If you were knitting the entire row, the stitch before the yarn over will be a knit stitch. If you were purling the entire row, the stitch before the yarn over will be a purl stitch. If you were doing a rib or seed pattern, the stitch is simply the last stitch you did—either a knit or purl.

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After completing a yarn over before a purl stitch and after a purl stitch row, how do I knit the next row? I'm struggling and end up with more stitches.

Community Answer

Knit the next row straight across if that is what your instructions say. If you end up with too many stitches, you may accidentally be doing a yarn over in the knit-only row.

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Pay attention to your stitches when working in the English style. How you wrap the working yarn around the needle will depend on what the first stitch was, and what the next stitch will be.

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Practice a few times on a small swatch.

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How to Yarn Over

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Doing a Yarn Over English Style

Doing a Yarn Over Continental Style

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