Double yarn over: central double increase

A double yarn over (yoyo) is an increase method that creates a decorative hole. Two additional stitches are created, so this is a double increase. Let’s see how it works.

Looking for a yarn over (yo) single increase? You can find our yarn over (yo) tutorial here.

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This tutorial includes:

What IS a double yarn over increase anyways?

A pale yellow increasing swatch. The centreline has a series of decorative holes.

A double yarn over (yoyo) is a central double increase, meaning you are increasing 2 stitches. To increase 2 stitches you’ll bring the yarn around the right needle twice. On the wrong side row you’ll purl these two loops, first working a regular purl stitch, and then a purl through the back loop.

Double yarn over (yoyo) video

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How to work a double yarn over

Bring the working yarn between the needles to the front of the work, then over the right needle to the back, creating a loop on the right needle.
Repeat this action a second time; bring the yarn between the needles to the front of the work, then pass it over the right needle to the back – there are now two loops (yarn-overs) on the right hand needle tip.
Next, continue working the rows as usual. Below, we describe how to work this double yarn over on following the wrong-side row.

A close up of a yellow swatch in progress with yarn overs. The yarn has been moved to the front of the work between the needles. — Bring the working yarn between the needles to the front of the work.

A close up of a yellow swatch in progress with yarn overs. The yarn has been moved around the right needle and the working yarn is at the front of the work. — Pass the yarn over the right needle, then back to the front of the work, creating a loop on the right needle.

A close up of a yellow swatch in progress with yarn overs. The yarn has been looped around the right needle twice. — Here I’ve worked two yarn overs, creating 2 loops on the right needle.

Working the double yarn over on the wrong side

These two loops need to be worked in a particular manner on the wrong side, or else one of the loops will be lost.

Purl the first loop, being careful to leave the second loop in place on the left needle.
Purl the second loop through the back, by inserting your right needle through the loop from back to front and purling that stitch.