Learn how to add a stitch (aka increase) neatly between stitches with an m1 (make one) in this photo & video tutorial!
When I first started knitting, I really only knew how to increase with a yarn over. But let’s be honest there are A LOT of times when you don’t want a hole in your knitting and so a yarn over won’t work.
Eventually I learned other increases like kfb and then finally m1L and m1R and I am so glad I did because they give you a lot more options in your knitting projects.
When is an m1 increase used?
Make one increases are used frequently in knitting because they look great. Make one left or make one right are simply single increases knit into the horizontal yarn BETWEEN two existing stitches. It’s a very neat looking increase that basically appears magically between two existing stitches.
The new stitch will slant either right or left depending on how you lift that horizontal yarn and knit it. That means that you cannot use a m1 increase at the beginning or end of a row.
What should I do if the pattern only says m1 and doesn’t specify left or right?
If the pattern does not specify right or left, m1L is the generally accepted choice because it’s a bit easier to do.
How do you remember which is m1L and which is m1R?
I know I will not be alone when I tell you that for a long time I HAD to look up which was m1L and which was m1R every time I knit them because I could not, for the life of me remember, which way to lift the yarn for each stitch.
All of the instructions I ever read for m1 increases told me which side of the horizontal bar of yarn between stitches to lift in FRONT (i.e. left side in front for m1R and right side in front for m1L) and that totally confused me because if you think about it that way, the instructions don’t match the name of the stitch.
So let me share a little trick that I use. Instead of the commonly accepted instructions for m1 increases, I remind myself to pay attention to which side of the horizontal yarn goes in the BACK.
All I have to remember now is that it’s the back side of the horizontal bar that I need pay attention to: you lift with the LEFT side in BACK for m1L and the RIGHT side in BACK for m1R .
Maybe you guys will just think I’m ridiculous, but if this stupid trick helps even one person not to have to look it up every time, then I’ll consider admitting my inability to keep things straight a win!
How to knit an m1L increase:
- Start an m1L increase with the yarn behind your work
- Find the top horizontal bar of yarn between the first stitch on the left needle and the first stitch on the right needle
- To make an m1L (make one left or left-leaning) increase, use the tip of the left needle (or your fingers) to lift that horizontal bar of yarn onto the left needle with the LEFT side in BACK (right side in front).
- Then insert the right knitting needle from right to left through the BACK of this new stitch and knit one
- An m1L leans to the left.
Watch the video to learn how to m1L:
How to knit an m1R increase:
- Start an m1R increase with the yarn behind your work.
- Find the top horizontal bar of yarn between the first stitch on the left needle and the first stitch on the right needle
- To make an m1R (make one right or right-leaning) increase, use the tip of the left needle (or your fingers) to lift that horizontal bar of yarn onto the left needle with the RIGHT side in BACK (left side in front).
- Then insert the right knitting needle from left to right through the FRONT of this new stitch and knit one.
- An m1R leans to the right
Watch the video to learn how to m1R:
How To Do an m1 (Make One) Increase, Left and Right
Learn how to do an m1 increase by adding a stitch between two other stitches. You can either do an m1L (make one left) or m1R (make one right) depending on if you want your increase to lean left or right.
Materials
Tools
Instructions
When you do an m1 increase you can do either a left-leaning m1L increase or a right-leaning m1R increase. If the pattern doesn't specify, use an M1L.
- Start either m1 increase with the yarn behind your work
- Find the top horizontal bar of yarn between the first stitch on the left needle and the first stitch on the right needle.
- To make an m1L (make one left or left-leaning) increase, use the tip of the left needle (or your fingers) to lift that horizontal bar of yarn onto the left needle with the LEFT side in BACK (right side in front).
- Then insert the right knitting needle from right to left through the BACK of this new stitch and knit one
- An m1L leans to the left.
- To make an m1R (make one right or right-leaning) increase, use the tip of the left needle (or your fingers) to lift that horizontal bar of yarn onto the left needle with the RIGHT side in BACK (left side in front).
- Then insert the right knitting needle from left to right through the FRONT of this new stitch and knit one.
- An m1R leans to the right
Notes
Watch the video to see an m1 increase in action!
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