how to increase purl stitch

3 min read 06-02-2025

The purl stitch, that understated yet essential element of knitting, can sometimes feel trickier to increase than its knit stitch counterpart. Fear not, fellow knitters! Mastering purl increases will elevate your knitting projects to new heights, adding texture and shaping possibilities. This comprehensive guide will walk you through various techniques to seamlessly increase your purl stitches, ensuring a clean and even fabric.

Understanding Purl Increases

Before diving into the techniques, let's clarify what a purl increase is. It's the act of creating a new purl stitch within your existing row of purls. Unlike knit increases, which often involve a slipped stitch, purl increases require slightly different approaches to maintain the purl stitch's characteristic texture. The goal is to create a new purl stitch that blends seamlessly into the existing fabric.

Methods for Increasing Purl Stitches

Several methods exist for increasing purl stitches, each with its subtle nuances. Choose the method that best suits your project and personal preference.

1. The Simple Purl Increase (Make One)

This is the most straightforward method. It involves creating a new stitch by working into the space between two existing purl stitches.

Step 1: Insert your right-hand needle into the stitch space between two purl stitches on the left-hand needle.
Step 2: Yarn over (wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle).
Step 3: Purl the yarn over through the stitch space.

This will create a new purl stitch neatly integrated into your row. This technique is ideal for simple increases where a perfectly invisible increase isn't crucial.

2. The Purl Increase using a Slip Stitch

This method offers a slightly more refined increase, resulting in a less noticeable increase.

Step 1: Slip one stitch purlwise.
Step 2: Yarn over.
Step 3: Purl two stitches together.

This technique creates a slightly more subtle increase than the simple purl increase. It's less likely to cause a noticeable bump in your fabric.

3. The Bar Increase

The bar increase is a useful technique for creating increases that are less noticeable in garter stitch or other projects where visible increases might be distracting.

Step 1: Knit into the front and back of the next stitch.

This technique essentially creates two stitches from one, knitting through both the front and back loops of a single stitch. In garter stitch, this creates two knit stitches where you'd normally have one, but in other patterns it provides a more subtle increase.

Choosing the Right Purl Increase Method

The "best" method depends on your project and desired outcome. For projects where the increases need to be subtle, the slipped stitch method is preferred. For simpler projects where the increase needs to be easy, the simple purl increase is a great option. Consider the overall texture of your project when making your choice.

Troubleshooting Purl Increases

Even experienced knitters encounter challenges with purl increases occasionally. Here are some common issues and solutions:

Holes: Holes often appear if the yarn over isn't worked tightly enough. Make sure you pull the yarn over snugly before working it into the fabric.
Uneven Stitches: Uneven stitches can result from inconsistent tension. Try maintaining consistent tension throughout the increase process, knitting at a slow and steady pace.
Tight Increases: If increases feel too tight, you might be working them too tightly. Try loosening your tension slightly.

Incorporating Purl Increases into Your Projects

Purl increases open up a world of possibilities for adding shaping and texture to your knitting. Experiment with these techniques in various projects – from simple scarves to complex sweaters – to observe their different effects and find your favorites. Mastering purl increases is a rewarding skill that will enhance your knitting capabilities considerably. With practice and patience, you'll create seamless and beautiful increases in your next knitting endeavor!