Knit Front and Back (kfb) is a very common single increase that turns one stitch into two. On the knit side of stockinette, a kfb looks a bit like a purl stitch, and in fact, it is sometimes called a “bar increase” because of the horizontal “bar” on the increased stitch. Follow along with our Knit Front And Back (kfb) Tutorial!

KFB: Video Tutorial

KFB: Step-By-Step Tutorial

To work a kfb, you knit into the front of the stitch as you normally would, then, instead of letting the stitch slide off the left needle as usual, you insert the right needle into the back of the same stitch and knit it. Having knit into the front and into the back of the stitch, it’s now safe to let it slide off the needle. And that’s it, you’ve created a new stitch!

We use this simple increase to shape the yoke of our Top-Down Circular Yoke Pullover. This beginner sweater pattern is a great place to practice your new skill of knitting into the front and back!

Knit Front And Back (kfb) | Purl Soho

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