More Increases

The cat eventually got up and I finished the sweater. (I have noticed however that it is still where I left it - all folded nicely. Meaning, my husband has not jumped at the chance to wear this hand-made-with-love creation!) It is plain, I admit it. But "that's what guys want" . . . or at least that's what the pattern book said.

When I did the arm increases I used the make one (M1) method. Here's a brief description of the method.

If you want the stitch to slant to the right, 

insert the left needle under the bar  between the stitch just worked and the next stitch on the left-hand needle from the back.

Next, knit the stitch just created on the left needle as a normal knit stitch.

If you want the stitch to slant to the left,

insert the left hand needle under the bar from the front.

Next knit the stitch through the back loop.








Use your left index finger to manipulate the newly created stitch to ease the tension on it a little. It will make it easier to insert the right-hand needle into the stitch to knit it. 

Sometimes a pattern will specify if you should use a M1R (right slanting)  or a M1L (left slanting). If it doesn't, just think about where you are placing the increase and decide which way you would like it to slant. After all . . . it's your project!!

Speaking of projects . . . I guess it's time to start a new one! A friend and co-worker is looking through patterns . . . I hope she decides on one . . . 

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.

If More is Better . . . Then Let's Increase!

I am still working on the plain stockinette stitch sweater for my husband. . . although it is working up pretty quick.

When it is next to a purl stitch,
the bar created when increasing
will just blend in with the other
 purl stitches.

I have just finished the cuff on the second sleeve and I need to increase 4 stitches evenly across the row. My favorite increase when I am doing it in ribbing is the easiest - the bar increase (knit into the front and back of the stitch). If you work this increase using a knit stitch that is followed by a purl stitch, the bar that is created will be hidden in the purl 'gully'. (If you use it on plain stockinette stitch the bar will be visible.)

Okay,  I'm going to go finish the row. Then I think I knit a few rows and start the arm increases. I'll use M1 (make one) increases. I like the way they blend in with stockinette stitch. 

Come back and I'll show you how to do them so they slant to the right and to the left. 

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.