Hi crochet newbies!
Today I am continuing on in my beginner crochet series by teaching you how to yarn over in crochet.
This is a super simple technique, but an important one because yarning over is used in every single stitch you will ever make in crochet.
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If you already know how to make a foundation chain, then you already know how to do this.
If you have never done a foundation chain before or perhaps struggled with getting it quite right, understanding how to yarn over may help you.
Things to know before you start:
What is Yarning Over in Crochet?
First, let’s go over exactly what yarning over is.
Essentially, yarning over means wrapping the yarn over your crochet hook and it is the most basic step when making a stitch in crochet.
You may see it written as yarn over (abbreviated yo) or yarn over the hook (abbreviated yoh). They mean exactly the same thing.
Yarn overs are used before or after you insert the hook into the next stitch, and depending on the stitch you are working, you may yarn over two or more times.
Yarning over is a very simple technique, but you have to do it correctly or you won’t be able to pull the yarn smoothly through the stitch.
Let’s practice!
How to Yarn Over in Crochet
Step 1. Make a slip knot.
See link to tutorial above if you don’t know how to do this.
Step 2. Slide the slip-knot onto the shaft of your hook.
Step 3. Using your yarn hand (non-dominant hand), hold the tail of the slip knot between your thumb and forefinger.
Step 4. Using the forefinger on your yarn hand, bring the yarn up behind the hook.
Step 5. Place the yarn over the shaft, laying it between the slip knot and the throat of the hook (upper area of the hook) with the yarn pulled toward you.
Practice the yarn over motion until you are comfortable with the technique.
Do not wrap the yarn over your hook from front to back. It must be wrapped from back to front, otherwise, crocheting is more difficult and you will end up with twisted and tangled stitches.
When you are actually working a stitch, you yarn over and “hook” the yarn in the tip (hook) of the crochet hook.
The yarn is then pulled through an existing stitch or loop(s) as part of the working stitch.
There you have it. Easy peasy!
More Crochet Tips & Tutorials
Ready to learn more? Check these out!
1. How to Hold the Yarn While Crocheting
2. How to Read a Crochet Pattern
4. How to Crochet a Foundation Chain
Additionally, you can follow me on Facebook and join my Facebook group for crochet beginners!
I share lots of tips & tutorials to help you along in your crochet journey!
Plus, since it’s open to experienced crocheters too, you can get some really great advice from different perspectives – all the while gaining new friends and crafty inspiration!
Thank you for coming to my blog! By sharing my content and/or making a purchase you are making it possible for me to continue producing and sharing free content for everyone to enjoy. I sincerely appreciate your support!
Until next time… Happy Crocheting!
Janet White Tidwell, jwt
Thursday 9th of March 2017
Hello! Thank you for your Crochet site! I searched Pinterest for simple "yarn over" in crochet and your site's Pin was THE ONLY Pin that came up!! Can you believe that? I couldn't!! Such a simple term and nothing came up! If you're learning to Crochet you have to start simple. I guess the other Websites thought it was 'too' simple of a term to talk about! I thank you!! I used to Crochet during the 70s. I learned the Granny Square and that was it! That was okay then, but I want to start from scratch and learn all the basics. I want to learn the Crochet terms. You know, from the foundation and up! Again, I thank you for starting me off on the right foot!! Janet White Tidwell, jwt
Itchin4Stitchin
Thursday 9th of March 2017
Hi Janet!
I am not surprised to learn that this may one of the few sites where you can find a tutorial for yarning over in crochet. When I first started crocheting I had no help and most websites seemed to skip over some of the "minor" details that were actually necessary for me to properly learn how to crochet. That's why I started my site with Absolute Beginners in mind. I don't want to assume that people know something. Actually, it's the reverse, I'm going to assume you don't know because if you're a beginner, how are you going to know unless someone shows you?
I'm so glad that you are picking up a hook again and enjoying this wonderful hobby. Stick with it and you'll move beyond Granny Squares in no time! You are smart to be starting from scratch and getting the foundation of crochet down first, to include the Crochet terms. So many people want to dive right in and crochet the more complex stitches, but they ultimately give up because they didn't learn the basics first. This is especially true when it comes to reading crochet patterns. People try to work a pattern, but have failed to learn what the Crochet terms mean. This makes reading a crochet pattern like reading a foreign language!
I am honored you stopped at my site as you are starting your crochet journey. Let me know what I can do to help you progress and enjoy this great adventure!
Sincerely,
RaeLynn