How to Increase Knitting with m1r and m1l

There are many reasons you will want to learn different types of increases in knitting. From shaping garments to lacework, knitting increases are essential to knitter’s skills. Do you want a left or right-leaning increase? Or how about a center increase? This post will help you learn how to increase knitting and which style works best for your knit project.

Table of Contents

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How to Increase Knitting Supplies

Knitting Needles
Yarn
Yarn Needle
Scissors

What does m1 mean in knitting?

M1 stands for “make one” in knitting. It is a technique used to increase the number of stitches in a project. To do this, you must pick up the bar between two stitches, creating an extra stitch. This technique can be used while knitting cables or adding texture to your project. It can also be used to add extra stitches when shaping a piece.

For example, if you’re knitting a sweater and need to increase the number of stitches for the armhole, M1 is an easy way to do this without having to cast on new stitches. With some practice, you’ll get the hang of it and be able to use this technique with ease. Happy knitting!

M1 is also referred to as a make one purl or M1P for short, which refers to when stitches are picked up from the purl side of the work instead of the knit side. This can be used in garter stitch and stockinette projects alike. To make a M1P, you’ll insert the left-hand needle into the back of the stitch and knit it through the back loop. Just like with M1K, this increases your stitch count by one.

Alternative to m1l and m1r

Keep in mind that when using an M1 increase, it can leave a visible hole at the edge of your work. If this is something you’d like to avoid, you may want to use a different type of increase such as a KFB (knit front and back).

Make One Right (M1R)

The Make One Right, abbreviated M1R, increase stitch is a right leaning increase. It uses the horizontal bar between two stitches to increase by one.

Step 1:

Insert the left needle under the strand between the left and right needles from back to front, lifting the horizontal strand onto the needle.

Step 2:

With the working yarn in the back, insert the right needle through the front of the stitch.

Step 3:

Wrap the yarn under, then over the right needle to knit the stitch. This is one right-leaning knit stitch increase.

Make One Left (M1L)

The Make One Left, abbreviated M1L, increase stitch is a left leaning increase. It uses the horizontal bar between two stitches to increase by one.

Step 1:

Insert the left needle under the strand between the left and right needles from front to back, lifting the horizontal strand onto the needle.

Step 2:

With the working yarn in the back, insert the right needle through the back of the stitch.

Step 3:

Wrap the yarn under, then over the right needle to knit the stitch. This is one left-leaning knit stitch increase.

Make One Right Purlwise (M1RP)

The Make One Right Purlwise, abbreviated M1RP, increase stitch is a right leaning increase purlwise. It uses the horizontal bar between two stitches to increase by one.

Step 1:

Insert the left needle under the strand between the left and right needles from back to front, lifting the horizontal strand onto the needle.

Step 2:

With the working yarn in the back, insert the right needle through the front of the stitch.

Step 3:

Wrap the yarn under, then over the right needle to purl the stitch. This is one right-leaning purl stitch increase.

Make One Left Purlwise (M1LP)

The Make One Left Purlwise, abbreviated M1LP, increase stitch is a left leaning purl increase. It uses the horizontal bar between two stitches to increase by one.

Step 1:

Insert the left needle under the strand between the left and right needles from front to back, lifting the horizontal strand onto the needle.

Step 2:

With the working yarn in the back, insert the right needle through the back of the stitch.

Step 3:

Wrap the yarn under, then over the right needle to purl the stitch. This is one left-leaning purl stitch increase. (This looks like a M1L when viewed from the knit side)

I hope you enjoyed learning a few different ways of How to Increase Knitting. Check out my other knit tutorials, such as Knit Decreases, for even more knitting tips and methods.

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