Early in my knitting career I asked a teacher at a workshop how to knit a sock heel without the gaping hole. She gave me a withering look and said it can’t be done. I was a newbie and needed to learn to accept things the way they were apparently.
I’m not a newbie anymore and I’ll share with you my tip for increasing, or Making One, in a way that results in no gaping hole.
(In the following photos the increased stitches are in orange for better visibility).
Knit to the place where you want to Increase, Make One, or M1 in knitting shorthand.
Knit into the bar of the row below to increase one stitch.
Place that newly created stitch back on the left hand needle.
Knit into the back of the loop of your new stitch and move it to the right hand needle just as you would with any stitch.
What you’ve added are two stitches vertically but only increased the number of stitches your row by one. The first vertical stitch (the one that you knitted into the bar below) fills your gap while the second vertical stitch (knit into the back of the loop of the first stitch) will be in line with the row you’re working on. I call this method – a Stacked Increase.
Next time you need to Make 1, give my Stacked Increase a whirl and let me know what you think. I like it, and think you might too.
Maria H
This is the best “unvented” invisible increase yet!
Liz
I’m going to try this!
Laura Altes
Thanks for the tip. Now, to “remember” it when I need it. Do you have a tip for that problem?
LostCityDenise
The only tip I can give to help with that problem is to immediately cast on a project that requires MANY increases.
I’ve read it takes 21 days to learn a new habit. I don’t think that counts if you’re like me though and have a memory like Swiss Cheese.
Kelly Symons
Thanks Denise, this makes so much sense and can’t wait to try it!!
Michelle
I love the look of this increase. What happens to the stitch on the left needle that you knitted into the back of? Is that dropped off the left needle?