Sometimes we want to show off the place where we add stitches to our project. We use decorative methods to increase stitches (like centred double increase, for example), and we stack the increases on top of each other to form distinct lines.
But when we’d rather draw attention to the texture, colour, or construction of the project, we need to use an increasing method that is as invisible as possible. It is not an easy task, especially when we add two stitches at the same time.
That’s when the double lifted increase comes to help. This method has several variations. I tested them all, and after making a few modifications, I came up with the most invisible way to increase two stitches.
This method is described step by step in this tutorial.
STEP 1
1.1. When you get to a spot where you plan to add two stitches to the work, look at the wrong side of the first stitch on the left needle. Find a horizontal strand that sits at the bottom of that stitch, and insert the tip of the right needle under that strand from the bottom up.
1.2. Place this lifted strand purlwise on the left needle so that the tip of the right needle is at the back of the left needle. Don’t take the right needle out of the strand.
1.3. Wrap the right needle with the yarn as we do when we knit a stitch and pull this wrap through the lifted strand, knitting it through the back loop. Drop the lifted strand off the left needle.
This is a streamlined way to knit this strand through the back loop.
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If you find this approach confusing, work step 1.2 in two parts. First, place the lifted strand on the left needle and remove the right needle. Then insert the tip of the right needle into that strand from right to left and move to step 1.3.
STEP 2
2.1. With the yarn at the back of the work, insert the tip of the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle from right to left.
2.2. Ease the left needle out, slipping this stitch purlwise to the right needle.
STEP 3
3.1. Find a stitch that is below the stitch that we’ve just slipped, and insert the left needle from left to right under the left leg of that stitch. This is our second lifted strand.
3.2. Insert the tip of the right needle into the lifted strand from left to right.
Because we try to twist the strand, it gets tight, and it can be difficult to insert the right needle into that strand. Don’t struggle with it too much. It is enough to get just the tip of the needle in.
3.3. Wrap the tip of the right needle with the yarn as we do when we knit a stitch, and pull the yarn wrap through, knitting the lifted strand through the front loop.
That’s it. We’ve just added two stitches to our project.
In the next row or round, work the new stitches in pattern. After a few rows or rounds, you’ll see that the increase is almost invisible, especially when we add it to a project worked in a textured pattern.
The place where we increased stitches is absolutely flat. There is no added bulk, and the increase is barely visible not only on the right side of the fabric, but also on its wrong side.
When we look closely at the stitches, we’ll see that the stitch below the stitch that we slipped in step 2 is has almost dissolved. It happened because we lifted both legs of that stitch and turned each leg into a twisted stitch.
But the slipped stitch covers for that poor almost-dissolved guy, and the fabric looks perfectly smooth – no holes, no tightness, and no crooked stitches. This is the beauty of this method – it adds two stitches without distorting the fabric.
Another great thing about this variation of double lifted increase is that it works the same for projects worked back and forth, and the ones worked in the round. Simply repeat steps 1 through 3 every time you want to add two stitches to any project.
We can stack these increases to form a subtle line of increases (when we make a top-down raglan sweater, for example), or we can scatter these increases to make the shaping less distinct (for example, when we shape the crown of a top-down hat).
Give it a try:
Take any medium-weight yarn in a light colour and knitting needles in a size that is appropriate for the yarn. Cast on 5 stitches. Knit all stitches in row 1 and purl them all in row 2.
In row 3, knit 2 stitches and make a double lifted increase around the third stitch. Finish the row by knitting the remaining 2 stitches.
Work 2 or 3 more rows in stockinette stitch (knitting all stitches in every right-side row, and purling them in every wrong-side row) to see how this increase shapes the fabric.
If you need to add only one stitch to your project, use the classic lifted increases.
SAVE IT FOR LATER
This and 26 other in-depth tutorials are part of Knitting Collection #9.
