“It was the best of increases, it was the worst of increases…”

This article will explain the Make One increase (M1) and the Knit Front and Back increase (KFB). These two increases are typically worked on the right side of the fabric. There are more ways to increase in knitting; these are two common ones. Future blog posts will discuss different increases.

Most knitting patterns don’t describe how to make an increase or where to place them. A pattern might say something like this: …”Inc ea end EOR 4x, then every 4th row 2x.”

The above instruction is interpreted as follows: “Increase each end every other row four times, then (increase each end) every fourth row two times.

M1

A M1 is an increase that uses the running strand of yarn between the stitch on the right hand needle and the stitch on the left hand needle. Occasionally, the designer wants you to do a M1L (Make one left), or a M1R (Make one right). I have found that in most cases, it really isn’t obvious whether or not you have mirrored M1’s; do the one that is easiest for you. If you like to follow the pattern exactly, do the M1L and M1R.

How to do a M1:

Where to place a M1: Because the M1 is created between two stitches, you need to work the M1 after the first stitch of the row and before the last stitch of the row. If you plan to seam the garment, it is a good idea to have two stitches before and after the M1 at each end to make the seaming easier. This makes a very tidy seam. If you are planning to pick up stitches along the sides of a piece that contains a M1, you can place the M1 one or two stitches in from each end. The most important thing about a M1 is that you need to make sure the stitch is twisted so you don’t get a hole.

Why choose a M1? The M1 increase appears flat. If the stitch pattern has a smooth side as the right side of the work, such as stockinette stitch, a M1 shows less than a KFB and is a better choice.

KFB

A Knit Front and Back (KFB) is an increase which is worked by knitting into the front and the back of the same stitch. You are using a stitch in the fabric to create an extra one.

How to do a KFB:

Where to place a KFB: Because we want to have the edges of our knitting to look smooth and in case we will be seaming, it is not a good practice to increase with a KFB on the first or last stitch. Working the KFB is best one stitch in from the beginning of the row and two stitches from the end of the row. In this way, the “bumps” from knitting into the back of the stitch will both appear two stitches in from either end.

Why choose a KFB? The knit front and back is an increase that looks like a knit stitch that has a piggy-backed purl to the left of it. If the instructions tell you to “increase in the next stitch”, it means that you are using a stitch to work an increase, as in the KFB. Since it creates a little bump when you knit into the back of the stitch, it is not the best choice for a smooth fabric such as stockinette or lace. It is ideal for increasing in garter stitch and when you need to increase in ribbing, as the bump mimics the purls already in the ribbing.

Ok, there it is! Two basic increases in knitting, the how, where and why. Get to it!

Martha

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