Yarn over is a fundamental knitting technique that beginners and experienced makers use for various patterns to increase the stitch count. The method can be worked with your regular knitting needles and supplies. Whether you work with single-pointed needles or circulars for back-and-forth or knitting in the round with DPNs or circular needles, you can easily do a yarn over to make an extra stitch. Please go through this blog to learn how to do a yarn over. Additionally, we'll walk you through the steps of correcting accidental yarnovers while also working on intentional lace and other decorative designs.
Yarnovers are abbreviated as knitting patterns, which are referred to as "yo". Ensure that the yarn over is loose enough to move freely along the needle but not so loose that it creates a gap in your fabric. It is important to practice to maintain consistency in tension and size. Pay attention to the placement of the yarn over in your pattern instructions; it can be placed between different stitches to achieve various effects.
Step-by-step guide on how to do a yarn over
Step 1: Work according to instructions (knit or purl) till you get to the stitch where you
need to yarn over. Start with your working yarn at the back of your work if
you're knitting a knit stitch (or in front if you're purling).
Step 2: Without your knitting needle into any stitch, bring the yarn to the front (if
knitting) or the back (if purling) between the needles.
Step 3: Wrap the yarn over the right needle (from back to front if knitting or from front to
back if purling), creating a loop around the needle.
Step 4: Complete your next stitch as usual (knit or purl). This effectively creates an extra
stitch on your needle.
Yarn Over- A common knitting mistake
Yarnovers are a common knitting mistake, especially when you are a beginner. You might make a mistake and work a yarn over, which will end up creating extra stitches. This usually
happens when you forget to bring the yarn to the project's right side (RS) when working on knit or purl stitches. To avoid accidental yarn overs make sure that the yarn is in the back when you make a knit stitch and the yarn is in front when you are making a purl stitch. If you have spotted the mistake in the next few stitches, you can quickly unravel or tink (un-knit) your project. But if you have spotted the yarn in the next row, you can knit it into the back loop to reduce the size of the hole.
Yarn Overs for Lace Knitting
Lace knitting patterns utilize yarn overs. Lace requires holes in the knitted fabric that showcase a beautiful design. You simply work the yarn over technique as usual or according to the pattern instructions. As you have intentionally increased the stitch count and created a hole, you need to balance it with another stitch or technique to close the hole.
With practice, you'll master the yarn over technique and be able to incorporate it into your
knitting projects effortlessly, adding texture, visual interest, and decorative
elements to your creations.
Explore knitting techniques and methods with your favorite knitting needles from Lantern Moon. The smooth ebony wood knitting needles are a delight to work with whether you are a seasoned pro or just starting out.