KFB (Knit Front and Back)
KFB is the easiest increase in knitting: knit into the front of a stitch as normal, then knit into the back of the same stitch before slipping it off. The result is two stitches where there was one, with a small purl bump showing on the right side.
Recommended A printable technique cheat-sheet for your knitting bag.
Method
Knit into the front of the stitch as normal but do not slip it off the left needle. Bring the right needle around to the back and knit into the back loop of the same stitch. Now slip the original stitch off.
Visual
KFB leaves a small purl bump immediately to the left of the increase site on the right side. This bump is visible — many designers use it as a deliberate decorative element on the edges of dishcloths and washcloths.
In partnership Tools and supplies that make this technique easier.
When to use
Top-down hat shaping where the bump is hidden in the crown. Edge increases in dishcloths and washcloths where the bump is decorative. Any first-increase situation for a beginner who has not yet learned M1.
When to avoid
On the right side of a sweater or shawl, where the purl bump may read as a "mistake." For invisible increases in stockinette, switch to M1L / M1R or the lifted increase.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| kfb | knit front and back |
Tips
- Work KFB at the second-to-last stitch of an edge to hide the purl bump in the seam.
- For an invisible KFB, work it on a wrong-side row.
- Two KFBs in a row produce three stitches from two — fast for radical shaping in baby items.
In depth
KFB is the only increase that makes two stitches from one in a single, beginner-level motion. The trade-off is the small purl bump that always sits to the left of the increase. For invisible shaping, knitters quickly graduate to M1 or lifted increases.