KFB Knitting – How To Make An Increase
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.KFB Knitting – This means knitting into the front and back of a stitch to make an increase.
This video and step-by-step photograph knitting tutorial will help you knitters learn how to knit KFB – the Knit Front and Back Increase (abbreviated as KFB).
This technique adds a stitch to your knitting to help shape it for things like hats, socks, or scarves.
It is a great way to increase the garter stitch pattern because it is almost invisible.
KFB – Knit Front And Back
Increasing and decreasing stitches can be a little difficult for beginners but once you know how it really is quite easy to KFB (knit front and back).
This stitch is used in many patterns from sweaters to shawls.
In sweaters, this is normally used to increase stitches for sleeves.
I used this KFB increase in a shawl pattern I created that has a chevron design.
If you want to see an example of how this stitch is used, take a look at my The Sea Glass Shawl Knitting Pattern (this knitting pattern also uses the SSK decrease technique).
What you need to get started
To get started practicing, pick up your needles and yarn.
In the tutorial, I will use size 9 mm (US 13) needles and super bulky yarn – Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick.
You can use any kind of yarn to practice, but choosing larger needles and super bulky yarn will make it easier for you.
Choosing a yarn where you can see the stitches will help you to see what is happening with your stitches.
KFB Knitting – How To Make An Increase
You can see a step-by-step photo tutorial below and a video tutorial.
You can view the video tutorial on my YouTube channel here.
For this sample swatch below I cast on 12 stitches using a 9 mm/US 13 size needle and super bulky yarn.
You can however cast on any number of stitches while you practice this KFB knitting increase technique.
You can also work this with a purl stitch and purl front and back.
How To KFB – Knit front and back into a stitch.
- Step 1 – Insert your needle into the first stitch
Insert the tip of the right needle into the first knit stitch, as you would normally knit a stitch (on the right side of the fabric).
Go to knit into the stitch with your right needle, wrap the yarn around the needle, and place the needle into the front loop as if you are going to slide that stitch off.
- Step 2 – Knitting into the second stitch
You will now go to knit that stitch and twist your needle around to push it into the back loop of the stitch on the left-hand needle.
- Step 3 – Push The Needle Into The Back Of The Stitch
You are first knitting into the front of the stitch on the left needle, in the same way, you would normally go in to knit a stitch, then twisting and knitting into the back loop of the same stitch (the back of the old stitch).
- Step 4 – Finishing the increased stitch
You will now have two stitches on the right-hand needle.
To complete the stitch, you will move that original stitch off the left hand needle.
You have just increased and created an extra stitch. - Step 5 – Following your pattern
Carry on knitting your pattern turning for the next row.
You now know how to work the KFB abbreviation (knit front back).
KFB Knitting Tips
Take a look at my tops tips for working on this increase below;
- Be careful how tightly you pull the yarn when you work.
- You don’t want to pull so tight that it makes it difficult to get your needle in there to make the increase.
- Follow the instructions in your pattern, to make sure you are making the increases in the right places.
- Practice with a swatch before you take on a pattern that uses these stitches.
- Watch my video tutorial to see how this KFB stitch can be worked easily before you start.
If you are interested in learning more about the knitting basics, please visit this post – Knitting Lessons
More Knitting Tutorials
For any beginner knitter, there are more tutorials below to help you…
Plus, you can see more free knitting patterns here – Beginner Knitters
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Cast off knitting methods
- How to cast on knitting
- How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
- How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
- How to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)
- How to read knitting patterns for beginners
- Knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)
- How to knit rib stitch patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing)
- What is TBL in knitting? (knit through the back loop)
- The mattress stitch – how to seam knitting
- How to knit – A complete beginner’s guide
