How to Make M1 Knitting Stitches

An M1 knitting stitch is a way to increase the number of stitches on your knitting row. M1 is an abbreviation for "make 1" stitch. Sometimes the abbreviation also says "inc" which also means M1.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Knitting needles
• Yarn

How to Make an M1 Stitch

1. When you see "inc" or M1 in your pattern directions, it means that you have to increase in a stitch. It is easy to do this by making two stitches out of one.

2. 
    
   First part of increasing the stitch.

   Knik the stitch as you usually would, but instead of pulling it off the needle, keep it there.

3. 
    
   Putting the needle in the back of the stitch.

   Take the right needle, and insert it behind the stitch. This is difficult, especially with yarns that have little elasticity. You will have to push on the needle to get it through the back of the stitch.

4. Wrap the yarn around the right needle, and pull it through, as if you were knitting the front of the stitch.

5. Take the stitch off the needle. You will now have two stitches made from one.

Tips & Warnings

• This is the easiest way to increase without making holes in your knitting. Practice increasing on a sample swatch for a while. It will get easier.
• Knitting needle points can be sharp. Be careful when pushing the needle into the back of the stitch.

Resources

• More Information

[tugboatgrandma]

on 2/13/2009 Great article! Can you post the pattern for that adorable striped heart?