Increases
There are many ways to increase on a knitting machine. These are the most common ones, and will allow you knit most beginner and easy machine knitting patterns.
Simple Increase
This is worked on the edge nearest the carriage. Before knitting the next row, pull a new needle into work (position B) next to the carriage.
Knit across. A loop is formed around the new needle. When you knit the next row, a stitch is formed in that loop, and an increased stitch is made.
Single Transfer Tool Increase
The actual increase is made on the second stitch frrom the edge, and forms a neater edge for seaming. This increase method can be worked on either edge, or both edges at the same time.
Remove the edge stitch on a single prong transfer tool. Bring a new needle forward and move the stitch on the transfer tool into the hook of the new needle.
Insert the tip of the transfer tool into the bar below the second stitch.
Lift up this bar and hang it into the hook of needle 2 from the edge. One stitch has been increased. Continue to knit.
2-Prong Transfer Tool Increase
This is also called a “fully fashioned” increase, and the actual increase is on the 3rd stitch from the edge. This increase method can be worked on either edge, or both edges at the same time.
Remove the two edge stitches on a 2-prong transfer tool. Bring a new needle forward and move the stitches on the transfer tool outwards.
Insert the tip of the transfer tool into the bar below the third stitch. Hang this bar on the empty needle to create a new stitch.
This fully fashioned increase may be worked by moving 3 or more stitches outwards, which creates a more visible increase line.
Multiple Increases
This increase method can be worked from left to right, as shown, or from right to left; but it must be worked on the edge nearest the carriage. You may find it easier to unthread the carriage before beginning the increases.
Step 1
Carriage should be on the right side of the needle bed. Bring out 5 new needles on the right edge, all the way forward to position D. Pass the yarn under needle 1 on the left, then come up between needle 1 and needle 2. Go counter-clockwise (to the left) over needle 1; pass the yarn under needles 1 and 2, and come up between needles 2 and 3. You will now have a loop around needle 1.
Step 2
Go counter-clockwise (to the left) over needle 2; pass the yarn under needles 2 and 3, and come up between needles 3 and 4. Another e-wrap loop has been formed around needle 2. Repeat this process to create a loop on needles 3 and 4. Wrap the yarn around needle 5, then rethread the carriage and continue to knit. It helps to hang a claw weight in the cast on edge of the new stitches after knitting the first row.
When working this increase on the left edge, end with the carriage on the left. Bring 5 new needles all the way forward to position D on the left side. Wrap the needles clockwise. This is the reverse of the way you wrapped needles on the right edge. Rethread the carriage and continue to knit. It helps to hang a claw weight in the cast on edge of the new stitches after knitting the first row.
This tutorial was copyrighted and uploaded to the original Clearwater Knits website in 1997. It was updated in 2017.