Increases using M1R(p), M1L(p) & M2R(p), M2L(p)
In knitting there are not only right and left slanting decreases, but also increases. There are many different ways and techniques to increase stitches. My favorite, however, is to work an increase from the cross yarn between two stitches. This results in a particularly seamless new stitch that blends in nicely with the knitted pattern and doesn't leave a hole.
In addition, this technique can be used to increase a knit stitch as well as a purl stitch that slants either to the right or to the left. This makes increases even cleaner and can be incorporated as a beautiful line. There is even the possibility to increase several stitches at once.
A right slanting increase is identified by the abbreviation M1R (for knit stitches) or M1Rp (for purl stitches).
A left slanting increase is indicated by M1L or M1Lp.
However, the abbreviations by the 'p' for the purl stitches are not always used. Often the increase is only indicated by M1R | M1L and it is clear from the instructions and the pattern whether it should be a knit or purl stitch that is increased.
In the following I will show you all four variations of these increases, as well as how to increase 2 stitches at once.
Abbreviations
For the following instructions, some abbreviations are used:
k
M1L(p)
M1R(p)
M2L(p)
M2R(p)
p
st(s)
:
:
:
:
:
:
:
knit
make 1 left
make 1 right
make 2 left
make 2 right
purl
stitch(es)
Increasing right slanting knit stitches - M1R
Insert the left needle from back to front under the horizontal strand between the sts.
Insert your right needle from left to right through the loop.
Finish knitting = 1 right slanting k st.
Increasing right slanting purl stitches - M1R(p)
Insert the left needle from back to front under the horizontal strand between the sts.
Insert your right needle from right to left through the front loop as if to p.
Finish purling = 1 right slanting p st.
Increasing 2 right slanting stitches- M2R(p)
As before, work the first M1R(p) as described above.
After this increase, lift the same horizontal strand directly back onto the left needle to work a second M1R(p).
Work the second M1R(p) increase as described above and then continue knitting. 2 sts next to each other were increased from the same horizontal strand = M2R(p).
The 2 increases incorporate nicely into your work after a few rows.
Increasing left slanting knit stitches - M1L
Insert the left needle from front to back under the horizontal strand between the sts.
Insert your right needle through the back loop.
Finish knitting through the back loop = 1 left slanting k st.
Increasing left slanting purl stitches - M1L(p)
Insert the left needle from front to back under the horizontal strand between the sts.
Insert your right needle through the back loop as if to p.
Finish purling through the back loop = 1 left slanting p st.
Increasing 2 left slanting stitches - M2L(p)
The sts you increase here will be incorporated into the knit pattern from right to left. This means that you increase the st that will sit on the right side first. Depending on whether this is to be a k or p st, you either work a k or a p increase.
In thes example, the st on the right side of the increases should end up being a p st. Therefore, first work a M1L(p) as described above.
The st that now sits next to it should will be a k st in this example. Lift the same horizontal strand back onto the left needle and work another M1L(p) according to your pattern.
2 sts have been increased from the same horizontal strand. There is one selvedge stitch, one p st & one k st on the needle in the photo.
Now continue working normally.
The 2 increases incorporate nicely into your work after a few rows.