Learn How to Make a KFB or Bar Increase [FREE Knitting Tutorial]

Learn How to Make a KFB or Bar Increase

There are many ways to increase the number of stitches you have on your knitting needle. The KFB or Bar Increase is one of the simpler methods of increasing your stitch count by 1 stitch.

However, the KFB is a visible increase. In fact, a horizontal bar will follow the increased stitch on the knit side of your project. This is irrespective of your working the increase on the knit or the purl side (PFB).

Furthermore, the KFB is a left-leaning increase. Conversely, the PFB is a right-leaning increase.

KFB in Stockinette Stitch

As this increase leaves an obvious bar where the new stitch was made, you may want to use it as a decorative feature in your knitting project.

However, unless you are using this increase as part of a stitch pattern, it is probably unlikely that you will use it in stockinette stitch.

If you would like a less obvious bar under the new stitch, you could try purling into the front and back of the stitch on the purl side of the stockinette stitch.

KFB in Garter Stitch

The KFB is a great increase to use in garter stitch as it is virtually invisible due to the bumps in the garter stitch. However, if you look closely, you will still see the bar there.

On the other hand, if you use the PFB, you can lose the bar altogether. Unfortunately, the stitches will be bunched together unevenly so this may not be a great option. 

How to Make the KFB or Bar Increase

Knit to where you would like increase to be.

Make sure that the working yarn is in the back.

Insert the right-hand needle knitwise into the stitch that you want to increase.

Wrap the working yarn around the right-hand needle and pull it through as if to knit.

Leave the stitch on the left-hand needle.

Insert the right-hand needle, from right to left, into the back of the same stitch.

Wrap the working yarn around the needle.

Pull the working yarn through the stitch.

Slip the stitch from the left-hand needle. You now have 2 stitches on the right-hand needle, with a “bar stitch” closest to the tip of the needle.

Enjoyed reading this tutorial? Why not check out this other excellent tutorial about the Open Yarnover Increase?