Make One (M1) Increases

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A make one increase (M1) is a standard increase found in knitting patterns. The slant is sometimes specified in the pattern as a left slant (M1L) or a right slant (M1R). If a patterns asks you to simply M1, they are asking for the left slant M1.

Left Slant (M1L) and Standard M1

With left needle tip, lift strand between needles from front to back (Figure 1). Knit lifted loop through the back
(Figure 2).

Right Slant (M1R)

With left needle tip, lift strand between needles from back to front ­(Figure 1). Knit lifted loop through the front (Figure 2).

M1 Purl, Left Slant (M1LP)

Insert the left needle from front to back under the strand between the last stitch worked and the first stitch on the left needle (Figure 1). Purl the strand through the back loop to twist it (Figure 2).

M1 Purl, Right Slant (M1RP)

Insert the left needle from back to front under the strand between the last stitch worked and the first stitch on the left needle (Figure 1). Purl the strand through the front loop to twist it (Figure 2).

If you’d like to see the make one increase in action, check out the video below:

M1 increases are one of the more common kinds of increase you’re likely to run across. Don’t be intimidated by them! Just remember the basic principle of picking up the bar between stitches, and look up instructions for the M1 if you find yourself needing them.

Happy Knitting!

Originally posted August 28, 2009. Updated April 13, 2022.

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Try out the make one increase!