The easiest way to increase two stitches in one spot is to work into the same stitch three times—knit into the front leg, then the back leg, and finally, into the front leg again.
This method works for adding stitches to any part of any project. No matter whether the project is worked flat or in the round, the steps are always the same—knit front, back, and front again.
Patterns often mention this increase as KFBF, and because we increase two stitches at once, this increase is perfect for stitch patterns with a 2-stitch repeat, like seed stitch or 1×1 ribbing.
It does not form a beautiful chain of stitches as the centred double increase does, but often we don’t need that distinct chain in our project.
When we want to increase stitches without changing the texture too much, KFBF is our best friend. It blends in with textured stitch patterns remarkably well.
Here’s how this method works step by step.
Work to a spot where you need to increase two stitches.
STEP 1
With the yarn at the back of the work, insert the right needle from left to right into the first stitch from the tip of the left needle, wrap the tip of the right needle with the yarn as we do when we knit a stitch, and pull the yarn wrap through to form a new stitch.
Don’t slip the “mother” stitch off the left needle yet.
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STEP 2
With the yarn still at the back of the work, insert the right needle into the same “mother” stitch again, but this time, do it from right to left.
Wrap the tip of the right needle with the yarn and pull the wrap through, making one more stitch.
Keep the “mother” stitch on the left needle.
STEP 3
Insert the right needle into the “mother” stitch one more time. Do it knitwise, from left to right.
Wrap the tip of the right needle with the yarn, pull the wrap through, forming the third stitch, and finally, slip the “mother” stitch off the left needle.
This stitch did a great job “mothering” three stitches, and it is time for it to rest.
We can add these increases anywhere. If we choose to stack them on top of each other, we’ll form an interesting pattern with added stitches branching out to the right and to the left from the centre.
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This and 26 other in-depth tutorials are part of Knitting Collection #9.