Increase Stitch | Knitting Basics
Confused about how to increase a stitch when knitting? Have you seen an increase stitch technique in a knitting pattern and just aren't sure what to do? If you are looking for Knitting Basics like how to increase a stitch, then you've come to the right place.
The M1 (Make 1) Increase
I am going to focus on the M1 technique, which stands for Make 1 stitch, an easy way to increase a stitch. The M1 increase is worked between two stitches; the stitch closest to the tip of your left-hand needle and the stitch closest to the tip of your right-hand needle. If you look between these two stitches, you will see a horizontal strand of yarn between them (see picture below). This strand of yarn will become the new right-slanting stitch.
There are three different M1 techniques that can be used. Let's take a look at the three different M1 increase stitch techniques.
M1r (right) Increase: This increase technique slants the new stitch to the right so that the new stitch slants in the same direction as the selvedge. With the tip of your left-hand needle, pick up this strand of yarn from the back to the front (see picture below). This creates a new stitch that is now on the tip of your left-hand needle. Next, knit this strand of yarn through the front loop (just as you would any regular knit stitch). There will be a gentle twist in the new stitch which helps prevent an opening or eyelet type hole in the fabric.
M1l (left) Increase: this increase technique slants the new stitch to the left so that the new stitch slants in the same direction as the selvedge. Again, this increase occurs between two stitches; the stitch closest to the tip of your left-hand needle and the stitch closest to the tip of your right-hand needle. Look between these two stitches again and you will see that horizontal strand of yarn between them. This strand of yarn will become the new left-slanting stitch. With the tip of your left-hand needle, pick up this strand of yarn from the front to the back (see picture below). This creates a new stitch that is now on the tip of your left-hand needle. Next, knit this strand of yarn through the back loop. There will be a gentle twist in the new stitch which helps prevent an opening or eyelet type hole in the fabric.
M1o (open): this increase technique creates a small hole or eyelet in the fabric. With the tip of your left-hand needle, pick up the horizontal strand of yarn between the two stitches, from the back to the front. This creates a new stitch that is now on the tip of your left-hand needle. Next, knit this strand of yarn through the back loop. There will be a new stitch with a small hole or eyelet in the fabric.
The M1 increase is a simple technique that you will come across in many different knitting patterns. Give it a try and if you get stuck, send clever. an email or post a question on the clever. blog below or on our Facebook page.
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