A yarn over is an increase (method for adding a stitch) which creates a hole in the fabric.
Most patterns will use the YO abbreviation to signify this.
However there is more than one way to make a yarn over.
Here’s the 4 different ways and why they’re important.
YF - Yarn Forward
This is a yarn over created when going from a KNIT stitch to a KNIT stitch.
Knit > Knit
The working yarn is brought to the front of the work (forward) and then over the needle to the back of the work.
YFRN - Yarn Forward Round Needle
This is a yarn over created when going from a KNIT stitch to a PURL stitch.
Knit > Purl
The working yarn is brought to the front of the work (forward) and then over the needle and around to the front again.
YRN - Yarn Round Needle
This is a yarn over created when going from a PURL stitch to a PURL stitch.
Purl > Purl
The working yarn is brought over the top of the needle and around to the front again.
YON - Yarn Over Needle
This is a yarn over created when going from a PURL stitch to a KNIT stitch.
Purl > Knit
The working yarn is brought over the top of the needle and held in back.
This one almost feels wrong because there’s so little movement.
You don’t find these terms very often in modern patterns, but if you find yourself trying to figure out how to make a yarn over from a knit stitch to a purl stitch, now you know!
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Perforated Lace Stitch
Lace is knitted fabric that has holes in it made on purpose.
This one has a lot of holes.
It looks like one of my kids got ahold of a hole puncher and went to town.
Now if I could only find my stapler…
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Decoding Charts Workshop • May 27th @ 10AM Pacific
Learn to read Lace, Cable, and Colorwork charts
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