2 x2 = 4

There comes a time in every knitter's journey when they want more stitches than they cast on. It's normal - we all seem to want more. Ironically, when you first learn to knit, you probably increased the number of stitches on your needles accidentally! Well, we're here to show you how to do it intentionally. There are numerous ways to increase your stitch count, and in the last session, the K1s looked at three of them. 

1. The Yarn Over - This is by far the simplest technique that produces an extra stitch on your needle. It is abbreviated YO or sometimes YF (yarn forward). It is often used in lace work and produces a decorative hole (eyelet) in your work. The ironic thing is that it is usually paired with a decrease somewhere along the row to counter its increase effect. A Yo is worked by wrapping the yarn over the needle in a counter clockwise direction (just like a knit or purl stitch). If your last stitch was a knit stitch,  bring the yarn between the needles to the front and wrap it over the right hand needle. If your last stitch was a purl, wrap the yarn over the right hand needle. On the next row, work your YO as instructed in the pattern. If you don't want a hole in the stitch, work the YO on the next row by knitting or purling into the back of it (creating a twist).

Click this link for a video of this method: YO Increase Video

2. The M1 Increase - This increase is the most versatile of the three we looked at in that it gives you the option of increasing in pattern almost invisibly. The M1 increase is done by lifting the bar in front of the next stitch on the left needle (hence you can't do this increase on the first stitch of a row) and placing it on the left needle. This essentially creates a YO, but you're doing it with the "ladder" that is there from the stitches in the row below. Now you work into the back of the stitch to either knit or purl it as needed for your pattern. This increase is not readily visible so be sure to mark your rows - especially when working it on sleeves!

Click this link for a video of this method:  M1 Increase Video

3. The Bar increase - The bar increase is called this because it leaves a visible bar where it is done - looking like a purl stitch. To do this increase, knit or purl the next stitch but don't transfer it to your right hand needle. Now bring your right hand needle to the back and work another purl or knit stitch into the back of the stitch on the left hand needle. Remove both stitches together. 

Click this link for a video of this method:  Bar Increase Video

Practicing these methods of increasing is recommended until you can do them in a very relaxed fashion. The M1 and Bar increases require you to work into the back of the stitch which causes some twisting (especially when purling). This can cause a little frustration in the beginning as your work tends to tighten up when you pull on the right hand needle. Try to relax that needle as much as possible and just move the tip to accomplish your task. This will keep your yarn loose and make it much easier to accomplish. There you go - now you can increase when you want to and not by accident!

Yarn over and out.

JAS