Knitting instructions

Make One (M1)

There are several versions of this method, each resulting in a different look. However, they are all referred to as Make One. This is the standard version of what is commonly called Make One.

Insert right needle from front to back into the horizontal bar that is between the two stitches on the row below.

Place it on the left needle.

Knit into the back of this extra stitch.

This method creates a small hole.

If you knit into the front of the extra stitch instead of the back, a hole will not be made. This increase slants to the right.

There is also a third way to M1. Insert right needle from back to front into the horizontal bar that is between the two stitches on the row below, thus twisting the stitch. Place it on the left needle and knit into the front of the extra stitch. This increase also does not produce a hole and slants to the left.

Knit Into The Stitch Below

This increase is almost invisible.

Insert right needle into the stitch below the next stitch on the left hand needle.

Knit or purl this stitch as called for in the pattern.

Be sure to knit or purl into the stitch below, not into the horizontal bar between the two stitches.

Do not use this increase more than once every four rows. Your work will not lie flat.

Knit Into The Front And Back Of Same Stitch

This is sometimes also called a bar increase, as it results in a little horizontal bar on the fabric.

Knit the next stitch as you normally would but do not remove it from the left needle.

Insert the right needle into the back of the same stitch on the left needle. Wrap the yarn around the needle and pull it through; in other words, knit into the back of this same stitch.

Remove the stitch from the left needle.

You can also purl into the front and back of the same stitch if appropriate to the pattern. Sometimes instructions will call for you to knit into the front and purl into the back of the same stitch. The principle is the same.

YO (yarn over)

YO (yarn over) is an increase that results in a little hole or eyelet being formed.

Bring yarn over (away from you) and then under the right hand needle so that it is looped around the needle. Purl or knit the next stitch as called for in the pattern, bring the yarn that it is looped around the needle through the stitch.

YRN (yarn round needle), YFRN (yarn forward and round needle), YON (yarn over needle) or YFON (yarn forward and over needle) all basically mean YO. Sometimes these different names are used to differentiate between YOs that occur between two knit stitches or between a knit and a purl stitch.

It is easy to drop this extra stitch on the next row; be sure to knit or purl it as required by the pattern.

Barbara Breiter