How to Yarn Over in Crochet - Tutorial Six

If you’re new to crochet, you might be wondering what a yarn over actually looks like and whether you’re doing it correctly. I’m here to tell you there is no right or wrong as it is sometimes suggested but rather just a slight difference between the two that you need to be aware of.

This is tutorial six of the How to Crochet Step by Step mini series where I go through all the basics to get you to the stage where you can try one of my free crochet patterns.

It all depends on whether you want to make something to a specific size or if the size of the finished item is irrelevant. Watch the video tutorial below for how to yarn over in crochet to find out the ins and outs of yarning over (don’t forget to subscribe) or head to the written instructions below the video if you prefer.

Written Instructions

Yarning over is in nearly every single crochet stitch so it’s an important part to go through, to know how you are doing it and why.

There are two different ways to pull the yarn through the loops on your hook and those two ways are yarning over or yarning under. This literally refers to where the working yarn is on your hook when working the stitch.

Yarning over has the working yarn over the hook, as the name suggests. See image below for an example.

Yarning under, on the other hand, has the yarn under the hook, see the next image for an example.

Both of these ways are valid and whichever way you find easier is fine however, just be aware that yarning under will change your stitches slightly. Yarning under makes your stitches ever so slightly thinner and shorter which means your work will be tighter and smaller. So if you are working on a project where size matters, like a jumper, then you will want to make sure you are yarning over or working the stitches however the pattern designer has specified. If yarning over or under is not mentioned then assume it is over.

If you are working on a project where the size of the finished item doesn’t matter like a dishcloth then feel free to work the stitches however you prefer.

Yarning under is a great way to work your stitches if you are aiming for a tighter stitch. In something like amigurumi where you want the stuffing to stay in and not be visible, then yarning under can really help with that.

If you are unsure then working a gauge swatch is a great way to check if the way you are working the stitches will affect your finished project. If you have any questions about yarning over or under, just pop them in the comments.

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