How to Knit a Purl Increase

Many knitted items require a combination of knit and purl stitches, such as sweaters knitted in stockinette stitch (alternating rows of knitted and purled stitches) or items with ribbing (alternating knitted and purled stitches within the same row). No matter what you're making, you are likely to need some shaping in the finished project, which is exactly the reason for increases in a pattern. Here are two methods for increasing stitches in a purl section of pattern or on a purl side of stockinette.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knitting project in progress
• Knitting needles
• Pattern (if needed)

Increase in Front and Back

1. Begin your row as directed in the pattern you are using, or as decided if you are making up your own pattern.

2. Purl into the stitch where the increase goes, but do not pull the stitch off the left hand needle.

3. Insert your active or right-hand needle into the same stitch from left to right at the back of the fabric. This is similar to knitting in the back of a stitch, but a little trickier because of the angle of purl stitches.

4. Wrap the yarn as with a regular purl stitch, and pull the initial stitch off the left-hand needle. You now have 2 stitches where there was originally 1.

Increase Between Purl Stitches

5. Begin the row where the increase goes, and follow the pattern until you reach the increase spot.

6. Purl the last stitch before the increase, and pull up the purl bump from the previous row.

7. Insert your right-hand needle purlwise into that yarn loop. Wrap yarn to purl, and complete the stitch.

8. Purl into the next stitch as usual.