Distinctive and Decorative – the Double Yarn Over

In this month’s project for the Lace Bug Bookmark, I introduced the double yarn over technique. This design element is what makes the distinctive large eyelet in the lace edging.

As a quick overview, the instructions call for you to “yo twice” on Row 1 (i.e. a double yarn over). Then on Row 2, you are instructed to “k1 and p1 into the double yo of Row 1”.

Let’s take it through it’s steps. The double yarn over is not difficult, but it can be tricky to control the looseness of the loops when using fine yarns/threads or working on slick needles. Practice makes perfect. Let these detailed photo steps help you gain confidence that you are on the right track.

Yarn begins forward of needle to begin the first yarn over

Wrap yarn over needle and to front again to start second yarn over

Wrap the yarn over the needle again to make the 2nd yarn over loop, then complete as usual the knit stitch that follows

See how the double yarn over is simply 2 extra loops sitting on the needle between the 2 knit stitches

This is what things look like after you've turned the work to the other side and slipped the first stitch; you are now positioned to start working into the two yarn over loops of the previous row

Knit into the first yarn over loop

Complete that knit stitch as usual and drop the yarn over loop you had worked into off the left-hand needle

You’ve completed knitting into the first yarn loop at this point. You still have the second yarn over loop on your knitting needle. Do you see that?

Bring yarn forward between needles to make a purl stitch

Into the second yarn over loop, make a purl stitch as usual

The purl stitch has been completed and the second yarn over loop dropped off the left-hand needle

This is row 2 completed

Row 3 after completion

Row 3 is straightforward. But that is when it becomes more apparent that there is a little nubb on the top of the large eyelet formed by the double yarn over. This is because of the crossing over the yarn strand from knit to purl. I can almost see a heart shape there where the little nubb is the top of the heart. But then, we love hearts here at HeartStrings, lol.

And here is row 4 completed

There are some alternative ways to work the second row of the double yarn over. But they all produce some kind of little decorative element like this. This could be something we come back to covering more at a later time,

By the way, if you are wondering if you can just knit the first yarn over loop, and knit the second so that there is no decorative nubb element, try it and you will see how it fails.

If you are thinking a double eyelet is too large or loose for your method of knitting, there is a simple way to substitute a single yarn over followed by a k1, p1 into that single yarn over loop on the following row. I’ll be back with a little photo series about that later in the month in case you need more help in seeing the details.

I hope this helps you see and understand better what is going on in making this interesting decorative element in lace. What do you think?