Thus far, in my short time as a knitter, I’ve been avoiding patterns that have yo in the pattern…just not 100% clear on how to do it correctly, or what it’s function is overall for the FO??
A YO is a decorative increase–it creates an eyelet for a lacy look.
To do a YO before a knit, bring the yarn to the front as if you are going to purl and knit the next stitch. The knit you make is not part of the YO in counting, though, so if a pattern says YO, k3 the knit following the YO is part of the 3.
To do a YO before a purl, you bring the yarn from the front back over the right hand needle and to the front again.
Amy has video if you’d like a visual.http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/videos//increase/yo-rds.mpg
Most people have trouble with YOs because it’s too easy and so it seems wrong:). All you’re doing is bringing the yarn over the needle, and making a stitch. Oh, but you say, that doesn’t make sense, nothing is anchoring that stitch, it will just be a hole. Exactly! That’s the whole point-- it creates a hole and therefore, visual interest. If you look at a pattern with YOs in it, there will be some sort of non-straight-stockinette-stitch quality in the design-- lace or scallops or whatever. The video here on knittinghelp shows how to do it.
Lol! You’re right…that is so simple it’s difficult!