How to Increase in Knitting:  4 Methods For Making Single Increases

How to Increase in Knitting by Janice Jones 

Have you ever found yourself stuck when the pattern you're using says, increase two stitches every four rows, but doesn't give you any additional information?

It's frustrating when the pattern doesn't give you any further direction.  You are not alone, I know, I've been there. 

In this article, we'll learn four beginner-friendly methods for making increases and I will walk you through the steps.  I will also provide some tips to help you know when to use the increase.

What are Increases in Knitting?

Increases are a way to add to the row count of your project and are often used when shaping a garmet such as a sweater or a hat. 

Sweaters that are knit from the bottom up need addition width beyond the hem.  Sleeves also start with a hem and gradually get wider as you work towards the shoulder.  

Easy Rules to Remember when Making Increases

1. Don't make an increase in the first or last stitch of the row as it makes seaming difficult.
2. When  you reach an increase row, work two stitches, then make an increase.  Work to the last three stitches of the row, then make the increase in the third stitch from the row.
3. Increases can be made on the right side or the wrong side of the fabric.
4. Increases are either worked between stitches on in a stitch.
5. Increases can slant to the left or to the right.  Some don't slant at all.

Helpful Information for Adding Knit Stitches Correctly

Before I provide step-by-step instructions on how to make increases in knitting, I wanted to give you a couple notes about the characteristics of increasing stitches when you knit.

Different Ways to Increase

There are four common ways to add stitches in a row or round of knitting:

• Yarn over
• Bar increase (also called Knit front and Back KFB)
• Make 1 increases (includes Make 1 left, M1L, make one right (M1R, or M1o or Make one open)
• Lifted increases (can slant right or left)

1. Yarn Over Increase: This method is straightforward and can be used on knit and purl rows. It results in small holes in the places where you've made the increase and is ideal for lace patterns or decorative elements, but may not be useful when making a sweater, unless the pattern calls for it.

2. Bar Increase: Also known as "Knit Front Back" or "kfb", the Bar Increase method is possibly the first and easiest way to increase knitting stitches. This method doesn't slant; it leaves a bar that looks like a purl bump after the increase, which can be slightly visible.  It is visible and can be worked on the front or back of the fabric and is accomplished by either knitting (front side) into the front and back side of the fabric or doing the same thing on the wrong side by purling.  It is often used when working in a stockinette stitch pattern.  It is often used in the last row of ribbing.

3. Make 1 (M1) Method: This method is ideal if you don't want any holes in your design. It's worked using the horizontal bar or strand of yarn between two stitches. You have three ways to make a M1: open, right-slanting (M1R), and left-slanting (M1L). The Make One Left slants to the left of the fabric and the Make one right slants to the right.  The make one open doesn't slant but leaves a little hole

4. Lifted Increases: These increases can either be right-slanting or left-slanting and are worked in the "V" of the stitch just below the ones on the needles.  They are normally worked every other row or spread out even further.

Mirroring

While we're talking about slanting, it's a good idea to introducte the term, mirroring.

When making increases in a garment, the increases on the left side should mirror those on the right, meaning that the increases should appear as if they are looking at the other in the mirror.  This makes the garment look symmetrical and is easy on the human eye as we instinctively look for symmetry.

Placement of Increases Will Vary

Where to best place your increases in knitting typically comes from the pattern you're using. If the pattern doesn't specify, it's usually tidier to knit the first two stitches, then add a stitch, work to the end of the row, and then increase when you're left with two more stitches.

Visibility of Increases

Some increases are almost invisible, whereas others are meant to add a decorative touch. Most increases used in garments are worked on the right side, and there is a good reason for this.

First, it's easier to keep track of your increased rows, especially if you make them at regular intervals, say every other row.

Second, seeing the finished look on the right side is more manageable. Do follow the pattern's recommendations, though, as the designer may have a reason for deviating from the norm.

Step-by-step Tutorials

Important Note. Videos on this page show you different methods of increasing rows of knitting. While the two videos demonstrate the English knitting style, they are still the same as the Continental Style if you watch how needles and yarn interact and ignore fingers.

1. Yarn Over Increase

The traditional yarnover increase method is the easiest of all to implement. A stitch can be added either on a knit or a purl row. It is created by wrapping the working yarn over the right needle.  This is done in different ways depending on whether you are working the yarn over:

• Between two knit stitches
• Between two purl stitches
• Between a knit and purl stitch
• Between a purl and a knit stitch

There are several ways to make the Yarn Over.

1.  Knit Stitch, Yarn Over, Knit Stitch (K, YO, K)

When you make a K, YO, K, your working yarn is in the back of the work.  

1. Work across the row until you reach the knit stitch just prior to the yarn over.  Knit the stitch.
2. Bring the working yarn forward and over the right needle and to the back of the work.
3. With the working yarn in the back, knit the next stitch

2.  Purl Stitch, Yarn Over, Purl Stitch (P, YO, P)

When creating a P, YO, P, your working yarn is in the front of the work.

1. Work across the row until you reach the purl stitch just prior to the yarn over.  Purl the stitch.
2. Take the working yarn from the front, over the right needle, towards the back and then forward again.
3. With the yarn in front, purl the next stitch

3. Knit Stitch, Yarn Over, Purl Stitch (K, YO, P)

When working a K, YO, P, your working yarn starts at the back of the work.

1. Work across the row until you reach the knit stitch just prior the yarn over.  Knit the stitch.
2. Bring the working yarn to the front of the work and over the right needle, to the back of the work, then to the front again.
3. With the yarn in front, purl the next stitch.

4. Purl Stitch, Yarn Over, Knit Stitch (P, YO, K)

When working a P, YO, K, your working yarn starts at the front of the work.

1. Work across the row until you reach the purl stitch just prior to the yarn over.  Purl the stitch.
2. Bring the working yarn from the from the front, over the right needle to the back.
3. With the yarn still in the back, make a knit stitch.

Advantages

• It creates little holes which can be a decorative touch when making lace.

Disadvantages

• It creates holes

2.  Bar Increase (Also known as Knit Front Back or kfb increase) or (k1f&b or p1f&b)

This type of increase is likely the first and the easiest way to make increases. It is called a bar increase because you can see a bar that looks like a purl bump after the increase.

You may see this increase done on sweater patterns where the ribbing ends and the first row of the pattern stitch begins. The knitting pattern may not indicate exactly how to do this stitch but may say something like "increase five stitches evenly across the row."

This stitch is usually made on the knit side of the fabric but can also be done on the purl side.

Where to Place the Bar Increases?

Pattern instructions often fail to tell you where to make the increases.  For example, you may see the instructions:  Increase 6 stitches evenly across the row.

How do you know where to make these stitches.  

• Never place increases in the first or last stitch of the row.
• Work two stitches and then make an increase.  Likewise work across the row until you reach the last three stitches.  Make the increase, then work the last two stitches.

More on Placing Bar or KFB Increases

Here is a little formula that I learned from Arenda Holladay.  Don't worry, you don't need a degree in advanced mathematics to make this work:

1. Subtract one from the number of stitches to increase across the row. So, if the design calls for increasing ten stitches, 10-1=9
2. Divide this number by the number of stitches on the needle. For example, if you have 72 stitches on the needle, divide 72 divided by 9 = 8.
3. You should plan on eight stitches between each increase.

If it does not come out even, round up the next whole number.

Bar Increase Tutorial:  On the Right Side

1. Insert your right-hand needle into the front of the stitch as normal. Wrap the yarn counterclockwise as if to knit, but do not remove the stitch from the left-hand needle.
   
   
2. Next, insert the right-hand needle into the back of the stitch and wrap the yarn, but this time, you will slide the stitch off the needle. Then, knit the same stitch through the back loop and slip the stitch off. The following row is worked normally.

On the purl row: do the same, but use a purl stitch. You can repeat this process to increase the number of stitches you need.

Advantages:

• It is easy to make
• It blends in nice if done in a ribbing row

Disadvantages:

• The bar or purl bump is visible
• It leaves a hole at the base of the purl bump
• Stitch below the increase is smaller
• Requires planning especially if the pattern calls for a certain number of increases evenly spaced along the row.

Learn more about bar increases or kfb 

3. Increase a stitch. Make 1 (M1) Method

Increasing a stitch can be used if a hole is not desirable for your design (For example, you wouldn't want holes in a warm winter sweater). They are worked using the horizontal bar or strand of yarn between two stitches.

You can do a M1 in three ways:

• Open (M1o)
• Right-slanting (M1R)
• Left-slanting (M1L)

Make 1 (M1) - Right Slanting (M1R)

1. Knit to the point where you want to make the increase.
2. With the left-hand needle, pick up the strand between the last stitch you knit and the next stitch, from back to front.
3. Knit through the front loop of this strand.

Make 1 (M1) - Left Slanting (M1L)

1. Knit to the point where you want to make the increase.
2. With the left-hand needle, pick up the strand between the last stitch you knit and the next stitch, from front to back.
3. Knit through the back loop of this strand.

4. Lifted Increases

Lifted increases can either be left-slanting or right-slanting. These increases are worked in the "V" of the stitch just below those stitches on the needles.

Right Slanting  Lifted Increase

Right Slanting Lifted Increase:

1. Knit to the point where you want to make the increase.
2. Insert the left-hand needle into the right leg of the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle, from back to front.
3. Knit this stitch.
4. Knit the next stitch on the left-hand needle as usual.

Left Slanting Lifted Increase: 

Left Slanting Lifted Increase:

1. Knit to the point where you want to make the increase.
2. Insert the left-hand needle into the left leg of the stitch below the next stitch on the left-hand needle, from front to back.
3. Knit this stitch through the back loop.
4. Knit the next stitch on the left-hand needle as usual.

Knitting Patterns That Utilize Increasing and Decreasing Stitches

After you’ve grasped these methods of increasing knitting stitches, you can explore patterns that involve these techniques.

From lace shawls to cozy winter sweaters, countless patterns emphasize the beauty of shaping with increases and decreases.

Look for patterns incorporating different stitch patterns and techniques to challenge yourself and expand your knitting repertoire.

Recommended Tools and Resources for Knitting

To enhance your knitting experience and ensure successful projects, investing in quality tools and resources is essential. Here are some recommended tools and resources:

• High-quality knitting needles: Invest in a set of good-quality knitting needles that suit your preferred knitting style. Choose needles made from materials such as bamboo or metal, depending on your personal preference.
• Stitch markers: As mentioned earlier, stitch markers are invaluable when it comes to keeping track of your stitches. Invest in a variety of stitch markers, including both removable and fixed types.

• Knitting books and online resources: Expand your knowledge and skills by exploring knitting books and online resources. There are countless tutorials, videos, and blogs available that provide step-by-step instructions and inspiration for your knitting projects.

Helpful Resources and References

Here are four books I have in my personal library that I consult all the time.  Check them out.

"The Principles of Knitting" by June Hemmons Hiatt

"Vogue Knitting: The Ultimate Knitting Book" by Vogue Knitting Magazine

"The Knitter's Handbook" by Montse Stanley

"The Knitter's Companion" by Vicki Square

How to Increase in Knitting:  Tips for Success

1. To avoid stretching stitches, work on the tips of your needles.
2. Slow down your speed until you feel comfortable making the increases.
3. Practice by making swatches before using them on a project

Conclusion

These four methods of increasing in knitting may seem very challenging to beginners, but don't worry.  With a little practice, you'll be increasing like a Pro.

There are four ways to increase the number of stitches in a row and each one is worked differently and is useful in different situations.

The best way to learn and practice these increase methods is to work a small swatch before beginning a large project.

So, grab some yarn and needles that correspond to the yarn you're using and let's practice making some increases.

How to Increase in Knitting:  Pin for Future Reference