Monica Knits

The Yarn Over increase (YO) is mostly used for laces and the direction in which the yarn is wrapped depends on the preceding stitch (K or P) and the subsequent stitch (K or P). For the YO inc after a P stitch and before a P stitch, the yarn is brought to the back under the right hand needle and wound back to front over the right hand needle to be in the proper position for the subsequent purl stitch. This is one of two YO increases used in the Basic Toe Up Sock - Short Rows Toe. For additional instructions and photos read more...

Steps

1. A P stitch has been completed and is on the right hand needle. Now bring the yarn under the right hand needle from front to back and then wrap it over the right hand needle from back to front.
2. Complete the next purl stitch as you normally would, passing the right hand needle through the loop on the left hand needle, yarning over and drawing the yarn though the loop. The YO completed loop can be identified because of its slanted orientation.
3. The third photo shows the yarn over loop, sandwiched between two regular purl stitches. To enhance visibility, the yarn has been pulled to the back in this photo.

Step 1 Step 2 Step 3

It is not as difficult to remember all the combinations as it may at first appear; if you yarn over for the increase in the wrong direction, the yarn slips off as soon as you pick up yarn for the next stitch because you "unwind" the yarn. So, picture the direction the yarn will be drawn for the stitch following the increase and where the yarn needs to be for the subsequent stitch (front or back) to wrap the yarn correctly. This way you won't have to remember combinations.