This is good alternative to the crochet loop finish used in many lace doily/tablecloth patterns. See the swatch photos.

Right side rows start at the outside.

If knitting on to live stitches, for example as an edging for a doily, start by casting on two stitches, then repeat the four rows, replacing the last knit stitch of rows 1 and 3 with ssk or k2tog, taking in the next stitch of the body of the work. If the edging needs to stretch more, use a double decrease which takes in two main body stitches. Do this every time, or alternate times, or some other regular pattern of times to achieve the degree of stretch needed. The edging shown in the first swatch photo could have done with being more stretched.

For bigger loops, increase more stitches in the yarnover in row 2 and cast off correspondingly more in row 3. Do a double yarnover in row 1 if increasing many more stitches.

It's useful to learn to knit backwards from the wrong side of the work so that you can work row 4 without turning.

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