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Yarn Over

How to work a yarn over. Diagram 2

Yarn overs are used in various knitting techniques. They are most often used in lace knitting to create an airy and light effect, although they are also used to create a row of holes for threading drawstrings, a decorative increase, the picot edge in picot hems, and for other decorative techniques such as knotted i-cord.

Working a yarn over before a knit stitch

Abbreviations

O (over)
YO (yarn over)
“Wool over” and “thread over” are also used in older British patterns.

How to work it

How to work a yarn over. Diagram 1

Bring your yarn to the front of your work between the needles and

How to work a yarn over. Diagram 2

knit the next stitch/es according to your pattern. The next stitch might be “knit 1”, “knit 2 together”, “knit 3 together”, “slip 1, k1” and so on.

Working a yarn over before a purl stitch

Abbreviations

O (over)
YO (yarn over)
WRN (wool round needle)
YRN (yarn round needle)
Thread round needle

In antique patterns, especially those from the Victorian era, a yarn over made after a knit stitch and before a purl stitch was often written as “over twice” (or a variation), even though you are only supposed to work a single yarn over.

How to work it

If the stitch you worked before your yarn over is a knit stitch, bring your yarn to the front of your work between the needles.

If the stitch you worked before your yarn over is a purl stitch your yarn will already be at the front of your work.

Working a yarn over before a purl stitch. Diagram 1

Bring your yarn over the right hand needle and back to the front of your work and

Working a yarn over before a purl stitch. Diagram 2

purl the next stitch/es according to your pattern. The next stitch might be “purl 1”, “purl 2 together”, “purl 3 together”, “slip 1, p1” and so on.

Working a yarn over at the beginning of a row before a knit stitch

Working a yarn over at the beginning of a row before a knit stitch. Diagram 1

Bring your yarn to the front of your work and

Working a yarn over at the beginning of a row before a knit stitch. Diagram 2

knit the first stitch/es according to your pattern

Working a yarn over at the beginning of a row before a purl stitch

Working a yarn over at the beginning of a row before a purl stitch. Diagram 1.

Twist a loop in your yarn and put it on your right hand needle.

Working a yarn over at the beginning of a row before a purl stitch. Diagram 2

Purl the first stitch/es according to your pattern.

Working multiple yarn overs

Working multiple yarn overs. Diagram 1

To work a multiple yarn over repeat the appropriate yarn over action however many times the pattern states before working your next stitch.

For this example I have worked “yarn over three times”, worked before a knit stitch. This has created three loops around my needle.

Working multiple yarn overs. Diagram 2