Master Knit Increase Stitch: Easy Step-by-Step Guide

by Chloe Fitzgerald 53 views

Are you ready to dive into the world of knitting and expand your skills? One of the most essential techniques to master is the increase stitch. Whether you're shaping a sweater, adding fullness to a skirt, or creating intricate patterns, knowing how to increase stitches will open up a whole new realm of possibilities in your knitting projects. In this comprehensive guide, we'll explore various methods of increasing stitches, providing you with step-by-step instructions, helpful tips, and everything you need to confidently incorporate increases into your knitting.

Why Learn Increase Stitches?

Before we delve into the how-to, let's talk about the why. Increase stitches are fundamental for several reasons, making them a must-know technique for any knitter.

  • Shaping: Need to widen a piece for the bust of a sweater or flare out a skirt? Increase stitches are your best friend. They allow you to gradually add stitches, shaping your knitted fabric to fit your desired form.
  • Creating Texture and Design: Increases can also be used to create interesting textures and design elements. Think of the beautiful lace patterns or the subtle shaping in a shawl. These often rely on strategically placed increases.
  • Adding Fullness: If you're knitting something that needs to gather or have extra fabric, like the top of a sleeve or the body of a hat, increases are essential.
  • Correcting Mistakes: Sometimes, we accidentally decrease a stitch (knit two together instead of knitting two separate stitches). Knowing how to increase can help you recover from these errors and maintain the stitch count of your project.

Types of Increase Stitches

There are several ways to increase stitches, each with its own unique look and application. Let's explore some of the most common methods:

1. Knit Front and Back (KFB)

The Knit Front and Back (KFB) is a simple and versatile increase that creates a visible bump on the fabric. It's often used when a more noticeable increase is desired.

How to KFB:

  1. Knit the stitch as you normally would, but don't slip it off the left needle.
  2. Insert the right needle into the back of the same stitch on the left needle.
  3. Knit the stitch through the back loop.
  4. Slip the original stitch off the left needle. You've now created two stitches from one!

Tips for KFB:

  • Tension: Be mindful of your tension when working the KFB. If you pull too tightly on the second stitch, it can distort the surrounding fabric. Try to keep your tension even.
  • Placement: The KFB creates a visible increase, so consider its placement in your project. It's often used along edges or in areas where a decorative element is desired.
  • Variations: There are variations of the KFB, such as the PFB (Purl Front and Back), which is worked similarly but in purl stitches. This is useful when working in ribbing or other textured patterns.

2. Make One Right (M1R) and Make One Left (M1L)

The Make One Right (M1R) and Make One Left (M1L) are nearly invisible increases that are perfect for shaping and creating smooth transitions in your knitting. They lean in opposite directions, making them ideal for symmetrical shaping.

How to M1R:

  1. With your left needle, pick up the strand of yarn between the last stitch you knitted on the right needle and the next stitch on the left needle. Pick it up from back to front.
  2. Knit into the front of this loop.

How to M1L:

  1. With your left needle, pick up the strand of yarn between the last stitch you knitted on the right needle and the next stitch on the left needle. Pick it up from front to back.
  2. Knit into the back of this loop.

Tips for M1R and M1L:

  • Tension: Similar to the KFB, tension is crucial. Make sure you don't pull the yarn too tightly when knitting into the lifted strand, or you'll create a tight, distorted stitch.
  • Practice: These increases can feel a bit fiddly at first, so practice them a few times until you get the hang of it.
  • Mirrored Increases: The M1R and M1L are often used together to create symmetrical increases. For example, you might work an M1R at the beginning of a row and an M1L at the end of the row to shape the shoulders of a sweater.

3. Yarn Over (YO)

The Yarn Over (YO) is a simple increase that creates a small hole in the fabric. This can be used decoratively in lace patterns or as a functional increase in other projects.

How to YO:

  1. Bring the yarn to the front of your work (between the needles).
  2. Move the yarn over the right needle to the back of your work, as if you were going to knit.
  3. Knit the next stitch as usual.

Tips for YO:

  • Hole Size: The size of the hole created by the YO depends on your tension and the yarn you're using. Looser tension and thicker yarns will result in larger holes.
  • Next Row: On the following row, you'll typically knit or purl into the yarn over to create a stitch. You can also drop the yarn over to create a larger hole or a decorative element.
  • Lace: Yarn overs are a staple in lace knitting. They create the openwork patterns that characterize this technique.

4. Lifted Increases (LLI and RLI)

Lifted Increases, specifically Lifted Left Increase (LLI) and Lifted Right Increase (RLI), are another method for creating nearly invisible increases. They're similar to M1R and M1L but involve lifting a stitch from the row below.

How to RLI (Right Lifted Increase):

  1. Insert your right needle into the right leg of the stitch below the next stitch on your left needle.
  2. Lift this loop onto your left needle.
  3. Knit into this lifted loop.

How to LLI (Left Lifted Increase):

  1. Insert your right needle into the left leg of the stitch below the stitch you just knit on your right needle.
  2. Lift this loop onto your left needle.
  3. Knit into this lifted loop through the back.

Tips for LLI and RLI:

  • Subtlety: Lifted increases are known for their subtlety. They blend almost seamlessly into the fabric, making them excellent for shaping in garments and other projects where a clean, polished look is desired.
  • Symmetry: Like M1R and M1L, LLI and RLI can be used as mirrored increases to maintain symmetry in your knitting.
  • Tension: Maintaining even tension is critical with lifted increases. If the lifted loop is too tight or too loose, it can create a noticeable bump or hole in your fabric. Practice will help you find the right balance.

Choosing the Right Increase Stitch

So, with all these options, how do you choose the right increase stitch for your project? Here are a few considerations:

  • Visibility: Do you want the increases to be visible or nearly invisible? If you want a decorative element, the KFB or YO might be good choices. For seamless shaping, the M1R/M1L or LLI/RLI are preferable.
  • Placement: Where will the increases be placed in your project? For increases along an edge, the KFB or lifted increases can work well. For increases within the fabric, the M1R/M1L or YO might be more suitable.
  • Pattern Instructions: Some patterns will specify which increase stitch to use. Follow these instructions carefully to achieve the desired result.
  • Personal Preference: Ultimately, the best increase stitch is the one you feel most comfortable with and that produces the look you want. Don't be afraid to experiment and see what works best for you.

Incorporating Increase Stitches into Your Projects

Now that you know the different types of increase stitches, let's talk about how to incorporate them into your knitting projects.

1. Reading Patterns

Knitting patterns will often use abbreviations to indicate increase stitches. Here are some common ones:

  • KFB: Knit Front and Back
  • M1R: Make One Right
  • M1L: Make One Left
  • YO: Yarn Over
  • RLI: Right Lifted Increase
  • LLI: Left Lifted Increase

Make sure to read the pattern instructions carefully to understand where and how to work the increases.

2. Evenly Spaced Increases

When shaping a garment or adding fullness, you'll often need to space your increases evenly across a row. Here's a simple method for calculating the placement of your increases:

  1. Determine the Number of Stitches to Increase: Find out how many stitches you need to increase in the row.
  2. Calculate the Intervals: Divide the total number of stitches in the row by the number of increases you need to make. This will give you the approximate interval between increases.
  3. Mark the Placement: Use stitch markers to mark the spots where you need to make your increases. This will help you keep track of your progress.

Example:

Let's say you have 100 stitches and need to increase by 10 stitches evenly across the row.

  • Interval: 100 stitches / 10 increases = 10 stitches
  • You would place a stitch marker every 10 stitches, and work an increase at each marker.

3. Shaping Techniques

Increase stitches are essential for various shaping techniques, such as:

  • A-Line Shapes: Increasing stitches along the sides of a garment creates an A-line silhouette.
  • Raglan Sleeves: Increases are worked at the raglan seams to shape the shoulders and sleeves of a sweater.
  • Gussets: Gussets, often used in socks and mittens, rely on increases to add width.
  • Curved Hems: Increases can be used to create a curved hemline on a sweater or skirt.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Like any knitting technique, there are some common mistakes that knitters make when working increase stitches. Here are a few to watch out for:

  • Inconsistent Tension: Uneven tension is a common issue that can lead to distorted fabric. Make sure to maintain a consistent tension when working your increases.
  • Forgetting to Increase: It's easy to miss an increase, especially when working on a complex pattern. Use stitch markers and double-check your work to ensure you've made all the necessary increases.
  • Using the Wrong Increase: Choosing the wrong increase stitch can affect the look and shape of your project. Refer to your pattern instructions and consider the visibility and placement of the increases.
  • Tight Increases: Tight increases can create a puckered or distorted fabric. If you find your increases are too tight, try loosening your tension or using a larger needle for the increase stitches.

Practice Projects

The best way to master increase stitches is to practice! Here are a few simple projects that incorporate increases:

  • Simple Scarf: Knit a scarf with increases at each end to create a wider shape. This is a great way to practice the KFB or M1R/M1L.
  • Dishcloth: Knit a square dishcloth with increases at the corners to create a mitered square. This is a good project for practicing the YO.
  • Baby Hat: Knit a basic baby hat with increases to shape the crown. This project will give you practice with evenly spaced increases.

Conclusion

Mastering increase stitches is a game-changer for any knitter. Whether you're shaping garments, creating textures, or adding fullness, these techniques will expand your knitting repertoire and allow you to tackle more complex projects. By understanding the different types of increase stitches and practicing regularly, you'll be able to confidently incorporate increases into your knitting and achieve beautiful, professional-looking results. So grab your needles and yarn, and start practicing those increases – you'll be amazed at what you can create!

Happy knitting, guys! Remember, every stitch you make brings you one step closer to mastering this wonderful craft. Keep experimenting, keep learning, and most importantly, keep enjoying the process! Now go forth and increase your knitting prowess!