Master Knitting Increases: A Beginner’s Guide to Seamless Projects

Knitting increases are a key skill for shaping your projects, from creating beautifully tapered sleeves to adding flair to lace designs. Among these techniques, the Make One Increase (M1) is a favorite for its clean, seamless results.

What Is a Make One Increase?

The Basics of Knitting Increases

A Make One Increase (M1) adds a stitch to your knitting by lifting the bar between two stitches and knitting into it. This method creates an almost invisible increase, perfect for projects where you want a clean finish.

• Types of M1 Increases:
• M1L (Make One Left): Leans to the left.
• M1R (Make One Right): Leans to the right.

💡 Knit-Sis Tip: Use M1L and M1R together to create symmetrical increases for projects like raglan sleeves or decorative shaping.

How to Do a Make One Increase: Step-by-Step Guide

Make One Left (M1L)

1. Insert your left needle from front to back under the bar between two stitches.
2. Knit into the back loop of this bar.
3. You’ve created a left-leaning increase!

Make One Right (M1R)

1. Insert your left needle from back to front under the bar.
2. Knit into the front loop of the bar.
3. Voilà, a right-leaning increase!

💡 Pro Tip: Keep tension consistent to avoid holes or tight stitches.

Why Use M1 Increases?

Benefits of the M1 Technique

• Seamless Finish: Perfect for clean, professional-looking results.
• Versatility: Ideal for everything from garment shaping to decorative details.
• Control: Choose the direction of your increase for balanced designs.

Common Projects Featuring M1 Increases

Garment Shaping

• Raglan Sweaters: Use symmetrical increases for smooth shoulder shaping.
• Sleeves: Achieve gradual tapers for a polished fit.

Lace Patterns

• Decorative Elements: Combine M1 increases with yarn overs for eye-catching motifs.

Accessories

• Hats: Shape crowns with evenly spaced M1 increases.
• Shawls: Add width and dimension to triangular or crescent designs.

Troubleshooting Make One Increases

Avoiding Common Mistakes

• Mistake: Holes forming in the fabric.
• Fix: Ensure you’re knitting into the correct loop (front or back) based on the increase type.
• Mistake: Tight or uneven tension.
• Fix: Relax your hands and practice on a swatch to improve consistency.

💡 Knit-Sis Tip: If you’re new to M1 increases, mark your increase points with stitch markers for better accuracy.

FAQs About Knitting Increases

• Q: Can I use M1 increases in any type of knitting?
  A: Absolutely! M1 increases work well in stockinette, garter stitch, and beyond.
• Q: How do M1 increases compare to yarn overs?
  A: M1 increases are seamless and don’t leave holes, while yarn overs are decorative.
• Q: Can I substitute other increases for M1?
  A: Yes, but the visual effect and tension may differ. Experiment to find the best fit for your project.

Knit-Sis Patterns Featuring Make One Increases

Explore Knit-Sis patterns designed to highlight the versatility of M1 increases. From cozy sweaters to playful accessories, these projects are perfect for showcasing your skills.

👉 Browse Patterns Featuring M1 Increases

Why Knit-Sis?

At Knit-Sis, we combine colorful, joyful designs with accessible techniques to empower knitters of all levels. Our easy-to-follow patterns make it simple to create beautiful, functional pieces that you’ll love to wear and share.

💡 Exclusive Sneak Peek: Discover upcoming patterns featuring innovative use of M1 increases—only available to our subscribers!

Conclusion

Mastering the Make One Increase unlocks endless possibilities for your knitting projects. Whether you’re shaping a garment or adding decorative flair, this technique is a must-have in your skill set.

 👉 Download a Free Beginner-Friendly Pattern or Shop Our Full Collection to start knitting with confidence today!