How To Yarn Over In Knitting (YO) For Beginners

Learn how to yarn over in knitting, also called YO, with this easy beginner-friendly tutorial.

A yarn over is a simple knitting technique that creates an extra stitch and a small decorative hole, also known as an eyelet.

You’ll often see yarn overs used in lace knitting, shawls, buttonholes, decorative stitch patterns, increases, and openwork designs.

In this guide, you’ll learn what YO means, how to yarn over between knit stitches, how to yarn over between purl stitches, how to knit into a yarn over on the next row, and how to avoid common mistakes. 

Quick Answer: What Is A Yarn Over In Knitting?

A yarn over, abbreviated as YO, is a knitting technique where you wrap the yarn around the needle to create an extra stitch.

This creates a small hole or eyelet in the fabric, which is why yarn overs are often used in lace knitting, shawls, decorative stitch patterns, buttonholes, and shaping.

A yarn over is an increase because it adds one stitch to your stitch count.

Yarn Over At A Glance

Detail	Yarn Over
Full name	Yarn over
Abbreviation	YO
Type	Increase
Stitch count	Adds 1 stitch
Creates	Eyelet / decorative hole
Commonly used for	Lace, shawls, buttonholes, increases, stitch patterns
Beginner-friendly?	Yes

Before You Start

To practice a yarn over, cast on a small number of stitches and knit a few rows first.

Then work yarn overs between knit stitches so you can clearly see how the extra loop appears on the needle.

You will need:

• Yarn
• Knitting needles
• A small practice swatch
• Scissors, if you are making a swatch
• Yarn needle, if you want to weave in ends

Use smooth, light-colored yarn and a medium-sized pair of needles so the stitches are easy to see.

What Does YO Mean In Knitting?

YO means yarn over.

When a knitting pattern tells you to YO, it means you need to bring the yarn around the needle to create an extra loop.

On the next row or round, that loop is worked as a stitch.

Because you are adding a new loop to the needle, a yarn over increases the stitch count by one.

A yarn over also creates a small hole in the fabric, which is why it is commonly used in lace patterns and decorative stitch designs.

How To Yarn Over In Knitting

A yarn over is made by wrapping the working yarn around the needle.

The exact movement depends on whether the stitches before and after the yarn over are knit stitches or purl stitches.

The most common yarn over is worked between two knit stitches.

Video Tutorial

Watch the video tutorial to see how to yarn over in knitting step by step.

This can be helpful if you are a visual learner or if you want to see exactly how the yarn moves around the needle.

How To Yarn Over Between Knit Stitches

This is the most common way to work a yarn over.

You may see it in lace patterns, shawls, eyelet rows, and decorative stitch patterns.

Step 1

Knit to the point in the pattern where it says YO.

Your working yarn should be at the back of the work, because you have just worked a knit stitch.

Step 2

Bring the yarn forward between the two needle tips, as if you were about to purl.

Step 3

Take the yarn over the top of the right needle and back to the back of the work.

This creates a new loop on the right-hand needle.

Step 4

Knit the next stitch as written in your pattern.

You have now made one yarn over between two knit stitches.

On the following row, you will work into the yarn over as a normal stitch unless the pattern tells you otherwise.

How To Yarn Over Between Purl Stitches

A yarn over between purl stitches feels slightly different because the working yarn is already at the front of the work.

Step 1

Purl to the point in the pattern where it says YO.

Your working yarn should already be at the front of the work.

Step 2

Take the yarn over the top of the right hand needle and bring it back to the front again.

This creates a new loop on the needle.

Step 3

Purl the next stitch as written in your pattern.

You have now made one yarn over between two purl stitches.

How To Yarn Over Between A Knit And A Purl Stitch

Sometimes a yarn over sits between a knit stitch and a purl stitch.

This can happen in lace patterns, ribbed textures, and decorative stitch repeats.

Step 1

Knit the stitch before the yarn over.

Your yarn will be at the back of the work.

Step 2

Bring the yarn forward between the needles.

This creates the yarn over.

Step 3

Keep the yarn at the front and purl the next stitch.

This is one of the simplest yarn over movements because the yarn ends exactly where it needs to be for the purl stitch.

How To Yarn Over Between A Purl And A Knit Stitch

A yarn over between a purl stitch and a knit stitch needs a little more movement.

Step 1

Purl the stitch before the yarn over.

Your yarn will be at the front of the work.

Step 2

Take the yarn over the top of the right-hand needle and all the way to the back.

This creates the yarn over loop.

Step 3

Knit the next stitch.

This movement wraps the yarn around the needle and creates the eyelet.

How To Knit Into A Yarn Over On The Next Row

On the next row, the yarn over will appear as an extra loop on your needle.

In most patterns, you will work into the yarn over as if it were a normal stitch.

If the pattern says to knit the yarn over, insert your right-hand needle into the yarn over loop and knit it as usual.

If the pattern says to purl the yarn over, bring the yarn to the front and purl into the loop as usual.

Try not to drop the yarn over off the needle before working it.

If it slips off, place it back on the needle carefully so you do not lose the eyelet.

How To Yarn Over Without A Hole

A yarn over normally creates a hole.

That hole is the point of the technique in lace knitting, eyelet rows, and decorative stitch patterns.

If you want to increase without making a visible hole, use a different increase instead, such as:

• KFB / knit front and back
• M1L / make one left
• M1R / make one right

These increases are designed to add stitches with less of an eyelet effect.

However, if a pattern asks for a yarn over, it usually wants the decorative hole to appear.

Yarn Over Vs Yarn Forward

Yarn over and yarn forward are related terms, but they are not always used in exactly the same way.

In many patterns, YO means to wrap the yarn over the needle to create an extra stitch.

Yarn forward, sometimes written as YF or YFWD, usually means to bring the yarn to the front of the work.

In some older or UK-style patterns, yarn forward may be used as part of a yarn over instruction.

Always check the pattern abbreviation notes if you are unsure.

The important thing is to look at what the yarn needs to do before the next stitch.

If the instruction is meant to create an eyelet, you are making a yarn over.

How To Make A Yarn Over Buttonhole

A yarn over can be used to create a simple buttonhole.

To make a basic yarn over buttonhole, you usually work a decrease and a yarn over next to each other.

For example:

K2tog, YO

The K2tog decreases one stitch, and the YO adds one stitch back.

This keeps the stitch count the same while creating a small hole for a button.

The size of the buttonhole will depend on your yarn, needle size, tension, and button size.

For larger buttons, you may need a different buttonhole method.

Does It Matter Which Direction You Yarn Over?

Yes, the direction of the yarn over can matter.

A standard yarn over should sit on the needle in the correct orientation so it can be worked easily on the next row.

If the yarn is wrapped in the wrong direction, the yarn over may become twisted when you knit into it.

A twisted yarn over may make the eyelet smaller or less visible.

If your pattern wants a decorative open hole, make sure the yarn over is not twisted unless the pattern specifically says to twist it.

Common Yarn Over Mistakes

Yarn overs are simple, but they can be confusing when you first learn them.

Here are some common mistakes to watch for.

Forgetting the yarn over on the next row

A yarn over is an extra loop on the needle.

If you accidentally drop it or forget to work it on the next row, your stitch count may be wrong and the eyelet may disappear.

Adding too many yarn overs

It’s easy to wrap the yarn too many times when you’re learning.

A standard yarn over is one extra loop around the needle.

If you wrap the yarn more than once, you may create a larger hole or extra stitches.

Pulling the yarn too tightly

If you pull the yarn too tightly, the eyelet may become small and hard to see.

Keep the yarn relaxed as you wrap it around the needle.

Confusing yarn over with yarn forward

Yarn forward may simply mean bringing the yarn to the front.

A yarn over creates a new stitch.

Check the pattern notes if you are unsure which technique is intended.

Forgetting to pair yarn overs with decreases

In lace knitting, yarn overs are often paired with decreases like K2tog, SSK, or PSSO.

The yarn over adds a stitch, and the decrease removes a stitch.

This keeps the stitch count balanced while creating lace shaping.

If you miss one part of the pair, your stitch count may be wrong.

Helpful Tips About Yarn Overs

• Use smooth yarn when learning yarn overs.
• Choose light-colored yarn so you can see the eyelets.
• Count your stitches before and after a yarn over row.
• Use stitch markers for lace repeats.
• Check whether the yarn over is paired with a decrease.
• Work slowly when moving between knit and purl stitches.
• Don’t pull the yarn too tightly.
• Make a small swatch before trying yarn overs in a larger project.

Yarn overs become much easier once you understand where the yarn needs to move.

Knitting Patterns That Use Yarn Overs

Yarn overs are used in many knitting patterns, especially designs with eyelets, lace, and decorative increases.

You may see yarn overs in:

• Lace shawls
• Eyelet stitch patterns
• Baby blankets
• Summer tops
• Cardigans
• Buttonholes
• Dishcloths
• Socks
• Scarf
• Openwork stitch patterns

Yarn overs are also often paired with decreases, such as K2tog, SSK, or PSSO, to create lace shapes while keeping the stitch count even.

How To Practice Yarn Overs

The best way to practice yarn overs is to make a small swatch.

Try this simple practice exercise:

1. Cast on 20 stitches.
2. Knit 4 rows.
3. On the next row, knit 4 stitches, YO, K2tog, then knit to the end.
4. Knit the next row.
5. Look for the eyelet created by the yarn over.
6. Repeat the exercise until the movement feels comfortable.

The YO adds one stitch, and the K2tog decreases one stitch, so your stitch count stays the same.

This is a simple way to see how yarn overs and decreases work together in lace knitting.

Yarn Over Knitting FAQs

What does YO mean in knitting?

YO means yarn over.

It is a knitting technique where you wrap the yarn around the needle to create an extra stitch.

See examples of yarn over in the patterns below:

• Love Triangle Shawl Knitting Pattern
• Easy Top-Down Crescent Shawl Knitting Pattern
• Hellebore Circle Shawl Knitting Pattern
• Outlander Carolina Shawl Pattern
• Vervain 3/4 Knitted Shawl Pattern

Is a yarn over an increase?

Yes, a yarn over is an increase because it adds one stitch to your stitch count.

It also creates a small hole or eyelet in the fabric.

Does a yarn over make a hole?

Yes, a yarn over usually creates a decorative hole.

This is why yarn overs are commonly used in lace knitting, eyelet rows, shawls, and openwork stitch patterns.

How do you knit into a yarn over?

On the next row, knit into the yarn over loop as if it were a normal stitch, unless the pattern tells you otherwise.

Be careful not to drop the yarn over before working it.

How do you purl into a yarn over?

Bring the yarn to the front, insert the right-hand needle into the yarn over loop as if to purl, and purl it as a normal stitch.

How do you yarn over without a hole?

A yarn over is designed to create a hole.

If you want an increase without a visible hole, use another increase such as KFB, M1L, or M1R.

Is yarn over the same as yarn forward?

Not always.

Yarn forward usually means bringing the yarn to the front of the work.

A yarn over creates an extra stitch by wrapping the yarn around the needle.

Some patterns use these terms differently, so always check the pattern abbreviations.

Does it matter which direction you yarn over?

Yes, it can matter.

If the yarn over is wrapped the wrong way, it may become twisted on the next row and the eyelet may be smaller or less visible.

How do you make a yarn over buttonhole?

A simple yarn over buttonhole is often made by working a decrease and a yarn over next to each other.

For example: K2tog, YO.

This creates a small hole while keeping the stitch count the same.

Can beginners learn yarn overs?

Yes, beginners can learn yarn overs.

Once you know the knit stitch and purl stitch, yarn overs are a useful next technique to learn.

More Knitting Increase And Decrease Tutorials

If you are learning knitting techniques, you may also find these tutorials helpful:

• How To Increase Stitches In Knitting
• KFB Knitting: How To Knit Front And Back
• M1L and M1R Knitting Increases: Make One Left and Right
• How To Knit Lifted Increases: RLI and LLI
• How To Decrease Knitting 
• How To Knit 2 Together (K2tog)
• SSK Knitting Tutorial: How To Slip Slip Knit
• P2tog Knitting: How To Purl Two Together
• SSP Knitting: How To Slip Slip Purl
• PSSO Knitting: How To Pass Slipped Stitch Over
• How To Knit CDD: Centered Double Decrease
• Knitting Abbreviations
• How To Read Knitting Patterns

Yarn overs are simple once you understand the movement of the yarn.

They are one of the most useful techniques to learn if you want to knit lace, eyelets, shawls, decorative borders, and buttonholes.