Increasing Stitches on Looms

Increasing in knitting is working new stitches into the row to make the knitted fabric larger. Some increases do not interrupt the pattern and others are meant to add a decorative touch. Decorative increases are usually worked two-to-three stitches from the edge of the knitted fabric. The other increases should be worked one or more stitches from the edge of the fabric whenever possible to make it easier to pick up stitches. They are also generally are worked in the odd rows (RS for needle knitters) for two reasons:

To see the finished, sometimes decorative, look and placement of the increases
To keep track of the increase rows when you work them in regular intervals

There are many different increase methods, each with having their own look. Six different methods are currently described on the site. All of the methods can be done on both the round loom and the rake.

Knitting patterns don't always tell you which type of increase you should use. Just remember that increases have a definite slant and should be placed to follow the slant of the increase. Your best bet is to learn all of the increases and their characteristics.

If you want to add one or two stitches, use one of the increase stitch. However, if you need to add a large number of increases, you should just cast them on near the side edge of the knitted fabric.

How to Evenly Space Shapings

Try to space multiple shapings evenly across a row. There are two different methods for this. Try both and see which one works best for you.

Method 1

The first method is a simple two step process to determine where to place the shapings.

Step 1

Number of shapings needed - 1 = Difference

Step 2

Number of stitches
in current row

Difference

Number of stitches
between shapings,
distributing the
remainder over both
ends of the row
if necessary

Note on Increases
Which increase stitch you use will alter the way you read the quotient. For example, if you are working between stitches (e.g., the M1 stitch), you would use the number of stitches from the quotient as is above. However, if you are using an increase that increases a stitch such as the bar increase, that counts as one of the stitches in the results so the number of stitches counted between stitches would be one less.

Method 2

The second method to help you evenly space your increases is a simple two-step formula.

Step 1

Number of stitches
in current row

Number of stitches needed
to be increased

Number of stitches
between each increase

Step 2

Number of stitches
between each increase

Number of stitches from
the beginning/end of
row to start/end increases

Examples

The following are examples based on the methods above. A graphic is included to show you where the shapings occur.

Method 1 Increase

Method 1: Decrease

Method 2: Increase

Method 2: Decrease

Question

You have 30 stitches on your loom and you need to increase 5 stitches evenly spaced. Using Method 1, where would you work the increases if you were using M1 increases? If you were using Bar increases?

See if you can determine where to work the decreases on your own and then click the images below to see the answer.

Answer

Here's how you figure it out:

5-1=4

Determine the difference.
30 ÷ 4 = 7 with a remainder of 2

If you are using an M1 increase (an increase worked between stitches), the increases will be spaced 7 stitches apart and the two remaining increases need to be distributed evenly at both ends. If you are using a Bar increase (an increase that increases one stitch), the increases will be spaced 6 stitches apart because the bar counts as one of the stitches and the two remaining increases need to be distributed evenly at both ends.

So for this example, if you use an M1 increase, follow this pattern: Work 1 stitch, [M1, Work 7 stitches]4x, M1, Work 2 stitches. (See below.)

If you use a Bar increase, follow this pattern: Work 1 stitch [Increase 1 stitch in the next stitch, Work 6 stitches]4x, Increase 1 stitch in the next stitch, Work 1 stitch. (See below.)

Question

You have 30 stitches on your loom and you need to decrease 5 stitches evenly spaced. Using Method 1, where would you work the decreases?

See if you can determine where to work the decreases on your own and then click the image below to see the answer.

Answer

Here's how you figure it out:

5-1=4

Determine the difference.
30 ÷ 4 = 7 with a remainder of 2

A stitch will be removed (decreased) every 7th stitch so you would follow this pattern: Work 1 stitch, [Decrease stitch, Work 6 stitches]4x, Decrease.

Click on the following images to see a larger version of where the decreases should be placed.

Question

You have 30 stitches on your loom and you need to increase 5 stitches evenly spaced. Using Method 2, where would you work the increases?

See if you can determine where to work the increases on your own and then click the image below to see the answer.

Answer

Here's how you figure it out:

30 ÷ 5 = 6

The increases will be spaced 6 stitches apart.
6 ÷ 2 = 3

The first increase will be at stitch 3 and the last increase will be at stitch 27.

The increases in this example will be at the 3^rd, 9^th, 15^th, 21^st, and 27^th stitches.

Click on the following images to see a larger version of where the increases should be placed.

Question

You have 30 stitches on your loom and you need to decrease 5 stitches evenly spaced. Using Method 2, where would you work the decreases?

See if you can determine where to work the decreases on your own and then click the image below to see the answer.

Answer

Here's how you figure it out:

30 ÷ 5 = 6

The decreases will be spaced 6 stitches apart.
6 ÷ 2 = 3

The first decrease will be at stitch 3 and the last decrease will be at stitch 27.

The decreases in this example will be at the 3^rd, 9^th, 15^th, 21^st, and 27^th stitches.

Click on the following images to see a larger version of where the decreases should be placed.