Purl front and back (Pfb) is the method to increase stitches on the purl side in a row or round. One stitch in a row or round is added when the first stitch on the left knitting needle is purled in the front loop as well as in the back loop before sliding that stitch off the left needle. The written instructions and video below show how to increase stitches by doing a Pfb for right handed knitting.

Abbreviations:

• P: purl
• Pfb: purl front and back

Pfb (Purl front and back) in slow motion:

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Pfb (Purl front and back) written instructions:

• With working yarn in front, insert the right knitting needle from front to back into the front loop of the first stitch on the left knitting needle
• Bring the working yarn around and between the left and right knitting needles
• With the right needle, catch and pull the loop made by the working yarn under the front loop of the stitch on the left needle
• Turn the right needle towards the back loop of the same stitch on the left needle
• Insert the right needle from back to front into the back loop of the same first stitch on the left needle
• Bring the working yarn around and between the two needles
• Catch and pull the new loop made by the working yarn with the right needle
• Slide the first stitch off the left needle and secure the two new stitches on the right needle

P1, Pfb, P1, Pfb: