how to knit a make one increase

Increasing the number of stitches on a row allows us to shape a toy or garment by making the piece of knitting wider. 

There are several methods for increasing, one of my previous posts looked at “KFB“, but today I have a little tutorial on how to “MAKE 1″ (often abbreviated as M1).  If you ever come across MAKE 1 in your pattern, I hope the instructions below will help you.

“MAKE 1″ is different from KFB.  With KFB, we made 2 stitches out of 1 stitch.  With MAKE 1, we will make a brand new stitch between 2 stitches.  If your pattern states to MAKE 1, especially if there are multiple increases on a row, please use the method below, otherwise later on in the pattern you may end up in a pickle.

So, here we go….

 

How to Make 1 on a knit row

Step 1

Work to the position of the increase.  Pull the needles apart and there is a little horizontal bar (shown by the arrow in the picture below). We are going to make our new stitch from this bar.

Step 2

With the right needle, lift the horizontal strand from the front

Step 3

Slip the tip of the left needle under the right needle and place the strand on the left needle

Step 4

Remove the right needle to place the strand on the left needle.

Step 5

Knit into the back of the loop on the left needle, and allow the stitch to fall off the left needle.  You may need a breather for this bit. I found it really fiddly at first!

You have now finished your Make 1 increase!

For advanced knitters….

Please note, for slightly more advanced knitters, if you are interested in balancing increases you should note that this increase slopes to the left on stockinette stitch.  To make a mirrored increase that slopes to the right, you should pick up the strand from the back at step 2, and knit into the front at step 5.

Now that was far too much hard work, so have a cup of tea and put your feet up!

 

Happy knitting

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