To knit yarn forward (often abbreviated as YFWD), you bring the yarn from the back of your work to the front, specifically in between your needles, before working the next stitch. This action creates a new loop on the needle, effectively increasing your stitch count and often forming a decorative hole.
What is Yarn Forward (YFWD)?
Yarn forward is a fundamental knitting technique primarily used to create an increase stitch or to form eyelets and decorative lace patterns. When performed on a knit row, bringing the yarn forward before knitting the next stitch creates a yarn over (YO) which will form a new stitch on the subsequent row.
How to Perform Yarn Forward
Performing a yarn forward is a simple movement of your working yarn.
Here's how to do it:
- Ensure your working yarn is currently at the back of your work (where it would be after knitting the previous stitch).
- Bring the working yarn forward in between the needles from the back to the front.
- Leave the yarn in this forward position.
- Immediately proceed to work the next stitch (often a knit stitch or a decrease like knit two together). As you work the next stitch, the yarn that was brought forward will wrap around your right needle, creating the new loop.
As shown in the referenced video, the process involves moving the "yarn forward in between the needles" before proceeding to the next action, such as knitting two together.
Common Pairings: YFWD and Decreases
Yarn forward is very frequently paired with a decrease stitch, such as knit two together (k2tog), especially when creating lace patterns.
- YFWD followed by K2TOG: This combination, demonstrated in the reference, creates an increase (the yarn forward) and a decrease (the k2tog) in the same sequence. This maintains the overall stitch count while creating an eyelet or hole in the fabric. It's a staple of lace knitting.
By bringing the yarn forward and then working the next stitch (often a k2tog), you create the intended increase and subsequent eyelet.
Tips for Success
- Tension: Keep your yarn tension consistent as you bring the yarn forward to ensure your eyelets are uniform.
- Placement: Double-check that the yarn is indeed in between the needles and not over the top of the right needle (which would be a different technique).
- Next Stitch: Remember that the yarn forward action isn't complete until you work the next stitch, which secures the new loop onto the needle.
Understanding and correctly executing the yarn forward technique is key to knitting patterns that involve increases, decreases, and decorative openwork.
