Increases and decreases can be used to shape pieces of knitting to make a garment or combined to create stitch patterns.
INCREASING
Each of these methods of making stitches gives a different effect. The first makes a little bar at the base of the new stitch, the second is almost invisible, and the third makes a decorative hole.
Knit into the front and back
Knit a stitch in the usual way, but do not drop the stitch off the left needle; take the right needle tip behind the left needle to knit into the back of the same stitch, then drop stitch off the left needle.
Lifted strand
Bring the left needle forward and, inserting tip from front to back of work, lift the horizontal strand lying between the needles. Take right needle behind to knit into back of the strand.
Yarn over
Between 2 knit stitches, bring the yarn between the needles to the front of the work and over the needle, ready to knit the next stitch as shown. Between a knit and a purl stitch, bring the yarn to the front, over the needle, and to the front again. Between a purl and a purl, take it over the needle and to the front again. Between a purl and a knit, take it over and to the back.
HELP
I can’t afford to buy complete sets of every type of knitting needles. Which ones should I buy first?
Obviously, you’ll need to start with the size needles given in the instructions, with maybe one size larger and one size smaller. Consider always buying medium-length circular needles because they are so versatile. You can use them to knit in rows for both small and large projects or in rounds for neckbands and whole garments. They are ideal for knitting projects on the go because you don’t have to worry about prodding the person sitting next to you with the end of the needle. Oh, and they make good stitch holders too!
To shape a garment, the first two methods, which are for decreasing one stitch, should always be worked in pairs, so that the fabric doesn’t slant to one side or the other. The first two-stitch decrease is used mostly for lacy stitch patterns; the second two-stitch decrease can be used for both shaping and stitch patterns.
Knit two together
Insert the right needle knitwise through the fronts of the first two stitches on the left needle, knit them together, then slip both stitches off the left needle. The second stitch lies on top, and the decrease slants to the right.
Slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over
Slip the first stitch knitwise, knit the next stitch, then use the tip of the left needle to lift the slipped stitch over and off the right needle. The first stitch lies on top, and the decrease slants to the left.
Slip one, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over
Slip the first stitch knitwise, knit the next 2 stitches together, then lift the slipped stitch over and off the right needle. The slipped stitch lies on top and slants to the left; the knitted stitches underneath slant to the right.
Slip 2, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over
Insert right needle through the fronts of the first 2 stitches on left needle as if to knit two together, then slip these stitches onto the right needle; knit the next stitch, then use the tip of the left needle to lift the 2 slipped stitches over and off the right needle. The center stitch lies on top.