Purl - Increase in a Stitch
Yesterday, I was jolted as I was flipping pages in one of Barbara Walker’s stitch treasuries. There, in black and white, were instructions to increase by purling into the front and back of the stitch.
I didn’t know how to work a purl increase in a stitch. I couldn’t believe it.
The first increase I learned was ”increase in a stitch” (knit in the front and the back of the stitch). For more years than I care to count, I thought that this was the only way to increase and it was always done in a knit stitch.
Now, I use a make 1 (M1) increase more than any other type. I prefer M1 because it can be formed to slant to the left or right and can be done as a knit or purl stitch.
Stymied, I picked up the the piece on which I am currently working and tried a purl increase. Seemed simple enough, purl in the front and back of the stitch. But, when I tried to purl in the back, I automatically knit in the back loop.
I had to stop and think. I realized that I would need to use the same maneuver as when instructed to purl in the back of the stitch.
Below the procedure is broken down into two steps.
Step 1: Purl into the front
Insert the right needle purlwise into the stitch in which you are going to work the increase. Continue with the purl stitch, but do not remove the stitch from the left needle. This first step is the same as working a knit increase in a stitch, except that you are inserting the needle as to purl.
Step 2: and into the back
Work the second part of the increase in the back loop of the same stitch. Insert the right needle into the back loop of the stitch from left to right. Enter the back loop from the back. The right needle tip should be pointing toward you. Notice how this twists the stitch. Wrap the yarn as you would to purl, removing the new stitches from the needle.
Something very simple really confused me at first. I don’t know why I found that I really had to think about how to do this stitch, but I did.
You may never run across ‘inc 1 in a purl stitch’, but just in case, you may want to add the method to your knitting knowledge.
Filed under: Knitting, Techniques by cwulster
That’s brilliant! I can’t tell you how many books and sites I have looked at to try and figure this out! And explained like this, yes it is simple. Most books just say, ‘purl into the front and then into the back’ but neglect the ‘left to right’ bit. Like you I don’t understand why I wasn’t able to work this out for myself, and I have tried a million times in a million ways - weird.
Thanks, Doris.
Many,many thanks to you. It is just a little tricky but your explanation is clear . In my pattern ,i am increasing purl wisein 13 stitches and did not have a clue! Cheers for your blog.
Audrey Bolton, 6am Nov.12/07
I am knitting a pair of double-knit mittens. For the thumb, on a purl row, it says to purl the first 10 stitches and then put 8 on a pin for the thumb. On the next purl row you are supposed to pick up 8 stitches but I can’t figure out how to do the increase.
Can you help??
By jove, I think I’ve got it. I’ve been trying to knit a bib, but had to increase in a purl row and like you have been looking at web sites with no luck. I’m going to start my project over and use your way to increase in purl. Thanks.
Many thanks for that concise explanation. This was the only one I could find online on how to increase purl-wise and it saved the day. Thanks!
~ Kimiko
I would like to add my thanks also. I am knitting my first project and although the pattern is intended for beginners it does require increasing this way. I couldn’t figure it out until I came across your ‘left to right’ clarification. Thanks for saving my project also!
I looked in books to see how to make this increase for a lace shawl I’m working on and couldn’t find any information. You’ve explained this stitch so well — THANK YOU! I printed this page so I could keep it in my reference notebook.
Clara
Thanks for clarifying this stitch. I am working on a lace shawl that called for this increase. I have made several shawls before and this is the first time I remember seeing this stitch. I too looked in my resources and the only thing I found was purl in the front and back of the stitch. Thanks again for your help.
Wow! You explained it so well and truly saved the day! Many thanks!
Occasionally have run across the “purl twice into the first stitch,” but the other two knitters I asked do the same as me - we usually KNIT twice into the first stitch, because it is impossible to do the purl.
Took a wild chance that this would be on the Internet, and very thankful I found your information. What a nice thing to share with others, and in such a clearly understood text.
Thanks, and happy knitting….
Thank you so much, I can’t tell you how helpful this has been.