When designing knitwear, it is possible to radically improve the appearance of your finished article by selecting the right increasing stitch.
The choice of increase method may depend upon the effect that you wish to have on the knitted fabric. The placement of the increase can also be important. For example, if the shaping is to be hidden, then the increase can be worked on the edge stitches of the row. However, this can lead to a roughened edge, which may make it harder to sew seams neatly. Working an edge or selvage stitch, and then working the increase, is often the best way to get around this problem.
It is possible, however, to make a feature of the increase, by creating eyelets, or allowing the stitches to form a slight “ridge” in the knitting, giving a smooth edge.
Common Knitting Increases
Increasing is merely creating more than one stitch (normally two), from one stitch in the previous row. Here are three of the more common forms of increase.
Knit Front and Back (picture 1)
This is often abbreviated as “kfb”, “kf&b” or sometimes simply “inc 1.”
To work the stitch, insert the right hand needle into the next stitch and knit it as normal, but do not slip it off the left hand needle. Instead, after the yarn has been pulled through on the right hand needle, insert that needle into the back of the stitch just worked, wrap the yarn around and pull through, this time slipping the stitch off the left hand needle.
Make 1. This is also known as a “Cast On Increase” or “Loop Increase” (picture 2).
To work the stitch, when you get to the point in the row where the increase is required, make a loop in the yarn with your finger, so that the yarn hangs between the loop and the stitch just worked. Put the loop over the needle and tighten.
Yarn Over Increase
This is, perhaps the simplest increase of all and, as can be seen in picture 3, makes an attractive row of eyelets, if the increases are made on every knit row.
To work the stitch, simply bring the yarn to the front of your work, and then knit the stitch, carrying the yarn over the needle.
As can be seen, it is possible to make a feature of the shaping, or to be more subtle in its execution, thus creating a more fluid piece of knitting.
By experimenting with different increases, the knitter can build up a repertoire of stitches and make informed choices when putting together a new design.
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Lesley Arnold-Hopkins - Lesley Arnold-Hopkins is a freelance writer whose work and hobbies have given her areas of expertise in a number of fields. She has an ...
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