Where are the knots at in terms of  the eventual bow (Mid-limb, fades, outer third, etc.)?  You might be able to avoid the knots altogether.  You can get away a pretty narrow limb design with yew.  I would avoid leaving a cut through knot on the edge of the limb, though yew can typically handle it.  Keep the knot encased and leave a swell around it on the limb edge.  You can always take more off later.