Glossary / Yarn over
yoYarn over
Wrapping the yarn to add a stitch and a small hole, the basis of lace.
Also written: yfwd
How to work it
Bring the yarn over the right needle to create a new loop before working the next stitch. A yarn over increases your stitch count by one and leaves a deliberate eyelet, which is why paired yarn overs and decreases shape lace.
Common confusions
What does yo mean?
In knitting patterns, yo means Yarn over. Wrapping the yarn to add a stitch and a small hole, the basis of lace.
Is a knitting yarn over the same as a crochet one?
No. In knitting, a yarn over is an increase: it adds a stitch and leaves a deliberate eyelet, which is what makes lace. In crochet, a yarn over is just how you catch the yarn to build any stitch and adds nothing to your count. Same phrase, different job.
Why did my yarn over disappear on the next row?
It was dropped, which is easy to do because a yarn over is only a strand until you work it. When you come back to it, it should be worked as a stitch in its own right. If your count is one short after a lace row, a dropped yarn over is the first suspect.
In other languages
| Language | Term | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| English | Yarn over | yo |
| Español | Lazada | laz |
| Deutsch | Umschlag | U |
| Français | Jeté | j |
| Italiano | Gettato | no standard code |
| 日本語 | かけ目 | no standard code |
Guides that use this stitch
Related stitches
Keep your place while you work this stitch. Worsted counts your rows and rounds and remembers your spot in the pattern, for crochet and knitting.
Get Worsted