Yarnover

Yarnover is a fundamental technique in knitting used to create an increase in the fabric. It involves wrapping the working yarn around the right-hand needle, creating an extra loop. This extra loop is then worked on the following row, typically as a knit stitch, resulting in a new stitch being formed. This effectively adds one stitch to the row. The purpose of a yarnover is to widen the knitted fabric or to create decorative eyelets or holes within the pattern.

There are different ways to execute a yarnover, but the most common method involves bringing the yarn forward between the needles, over the right-hand needle, and then back to its starting position. This action creates a loop that sits on the right needle. When this loop is knitted on the next row, it produces a hole. If the yarnover is intended to be a plain increase without a visible hole, it is often followed by a decrease on the same row or the next row to maintain the stitch count and create a subtle widening. This combination is known as a "make one" or M1 increase in some contexts. Yarnovers are a versatile tool for shaping garments, adding texture, and creating intricate lace patterns.