Things to Note

You’ll often see the mirror as KBF but that’s not a visual mirror. See what I mean?

But the good news is that we show you how to do it below!

Abbreviation

Bar increases are abbreviated as KFB for the increase with the purl bump on the left. The one with the purl bump to the right isn’t used very much (and therefore, there’s no typical symbol).

Chart Symbol

A typical symbol for a KFB is

As always though, check the pattern.

Working Bar Increases on the Right-Hand Side of the RS

We’ve detailed steps for working this increase in our post on the Ml (or M1R).

Working Bar Increases on the Left-Hand Side of the RS

This is NOT a very commonly worked stitch. But once you learn it, it’s pretty simple.

Step 1: Slip the stitch KNITWISE to the right needle.

Step 2: Slip the stitch back to the left needle. It will now be twisted the other way. See how the left side is in the front?

Step 3: Knit the stitch by putting the right needle through the stitch from left to right. Slip the stitch off of the left needle.

Step 4: Using the left needle, insert the needle through the twisted stitch that’s one additional row below on the right needle. Put that stitch on the left needle.

Step 5: Knit the stitch and slip it off the left needle.

About the Instructor: Jody Richards

Jody is the founder and lead editor of Knotions. She loves poring over stitch dictionaries and trying out new stitches. And while she likes all things crafting (well ok, except that one thing), yarn crafts are her true love (and she has the stash to prove it).

She’s a serial starter-of-projects and has a serious problem with finishing things without a deadline.

And don’t get her talking about hand-dyed yarns.  You’ve been warned.