"Knitting yarn back" most often refers to the technique of creating a new stitch, commonly known as a Yarn Over (YO), by manipulating the yarn's position over your knitting needle. This action results in an extra stitch being formed on your needle, which you will then work on the next row. It involves carefully placing the yarn at the back of your work when it might otherwise be at the front, creating a loop that becomes a new stitch.
Understanding the Yarn Over (YO) Technique
A Yarn Over (YO) is a fundamental knitting increase used to add stitches to your fabric, often creating decorative holes or lace patterns. It's distinct from other increases because it intentionally forms a hole. The method for creating a Yarn Over varies slightly depending on whether the stitches before and after it are knit or purl stitches.
Purpose of a Yarn Over:
- Increasing Stitches: Adds new stitches to your fabric.
- Creating Lace: The resulting hole is a key element in lace patterns.
- Buttonholes: Can be used to form simple buttonholes.
- Eyelets: Decorative holes in a fabric.
How to Perform a Yarn Over (YO)
The specific motion for a Yarn Over depends on the stitches surrounding it. Here’s a breakdown of common scenarios:
YO Between Knit Stitches (k, YO, k)
When you need to create a Yarn Over between two knit stitches, the yarn is already at the back of your work.
- Bring Yarn Forward: Bring the working yarn from the back to the front between your needles.
- Bring Yarn Over Needle: Bring the working yarn up and over the right-hand needle to the back again. This creates a loop (the Yarn Over) on the right-hand needle.
- Knit Next Stitch: Proceed to knit the next stitch as usual.
YO Between a Purl and a Knit Stitch (p, YO, k)
If you've just purled and the next stitch is a knit, the yarn is at the front of your work.
- Bring Yarn Over Needle: Bring the working yarn up and over the right-hand needle to the back. This naturally positions the yarn for the next knit stitch and creates the Yarn Over.
- Knit Next Stitch: Proceed to knit the next stitch as usual. This action of bringing the yarn to the back when it was at the front creates the extra stitch.
YO Between a Knit and a Purl Stitch (k, YO, p)
If you've just knitted and the next stitch is a purl, the yarn is at the back of your work.
- Bring Yarn Forward: Bring the working yarn from the back to the front between your needles.
- Bring Yarn to Purl Position: Take the yarn under the right-hand needle to the front again, ready to purl. The loop created when you brought the yarn forward in step 1 is your Yarn Over.
- Purl Next Stitch: Proceed to purl the next stitch as usual.
YO Between Purl Stitches (p, YO, p)
When you need to create a Yarn Over between two purl stitches, the yarn is already at the front of your work.
- Bring Yarn to Back: Bring the working yarn from the front to the back between your needles.
- Bring Yarn Over Needle: Bring the working yarn up and over the right-hand needle to the front again, ready to purl. This creates a loop (the Yarn Over) on the right-hand needle.
- Purl Next Stitch: Proceed to purl the next stitch as usual.
For a visual guide on performing yarn overs, you can explore resources like KnittingHelp.com's Yarn Over Tutorial.
When to Keep Yarn at the Back (YAB)
Beyond creating a new stitch with a Yarn Over, the instruction "yarn at back" (YAB) or "keep yarn at back" is a general directive in knitting. It means ensuring your working yarn is positioned behind your work, away from you, for specific techniques or to prepare for certain stitches.
Common Scenarios for YAB:
- Slipping Stitches (Slip 1, Purlwise, Yarn at Back): When slipping a stitch without knitting or purling it, the yarn's position dictates whether the slip is decorative or functional. YAB often maintains the integrity of the stitch pattern.
- Preparing for a Knit Stitch: After a purl stitch, the yarn will be at the front. You must bring it to the back between the needles before knitting the next stitch.
- Twists and Cables: Many cable patterns involve slipping stitches with the yarn held at the back or front to create specific textures.
Benefits and Common Uses of Yarn Overs
| Use Case | Description | Key Outcome |
|---|---|---|
| Lace Knitting | Essential for forming the open, airy patterns characteristic of lace. | Creates decorative holes that define the lace fabric. |
| Increasing | A simple and common method to add stitches, expanding the fabric. | Widens your knitting project, often followed by a decrease to maintain stitch count. |
| Buttonholes | Can create small, functional eyelets for buttons. | Forms a small opening without much bulk, suitable for smaller buttons. |
| Eyelets/Motifs | Used for purely decorative purposes, creating small holes in a fabric. | Adds visual interest and texture to the knitted piece. |
Tips for Successful Yarn Overs
- Tension is Key: Maintain consistent tension with your working yarn to ensure your Yarn Overs are the same size and your fabric is even.
- Count Carefully: As Yarn Overs create new stitches, remember to adjust your stitch count for the next row to account for the increase.
- Practice: If you're new to Yarn Overs, practice the different methods until you feel comfortable with the movements.
Understanding how to knit yarn back, particularly in the context of creating a Yarn Over, empowers you to create beautiful lace, shapely garments, and intricate textures in your knitting projects.
