Increase (knitting)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

In knitting, an increase is the creation of one or more new stitches, which may be done by various methods with distinctive looks.

1 Methods
2 Role in fabric shaping
3 See also
4 References

[edit] Methods

The simplest increase is to do a yarn-over stitch between two existing stitches. On subsequent rows, the yarn-over will be knitted, making a new stitch. This disadvantage of this method is that a small hole (eyelet) is produced at the yarn-over. This can be improved by twisting the yarn-over stitch.

An equivalent method is to lift the strand connecting two knitted stitches onto the left needle (effectively producing a yarn-over) and knit it, either normally or twisted. This is called a raised increase. This method (especially if twisted) leaves almost no hole, since forming the yarn-over stitch from the (presumably tight) connecting strand draws the two neighboring stitches together.

A third and fourth methods involve knitting into the same stitch twice. A bar increase involves knitting the stitch normally but without transferring the knitted stitch to the right needle; the same stitch is then knitted through the back loop. (Knitting through the front loop again is not feasible, since it would undo the first stitch.) In the related moss increase, the same stitch is knitted then purled. Bar and moss increases are often used, for example, in making bobbles. These increases make a bar or nub on the fabric, which can be decorative or disguised in rugged-texture fabrics such as garter stitch.

A fifth method for increasing involves knitting into stitches of earlier rows, usually the row below. This is called a lifted increase, and can be visually subtle.

Finally, a large number of increases in a row is best done by casting on; examples include buttonholes, etc.

[edit] Role in fabric shaping

The typical use for increases and decreases is to taper a flat piece of knitted fabric, e.g., in widening the sleeve of a sweater from the wrist to the biceps. However, increases and decreases can also be used to produce curvature, i.e., to make the knitted fabric cup (positive curvature) or frill (negative curvature); in woven fabrics, this curvature is produced with darts, flares and gussets. A great advantage of knitted fabrics is that they can be shaped nearly invisibly without seams or cutting (as woven fabrics must) with increases, decreases, and/or short rows.