Increases & Decreases
by Anne Bipes

There are a variety of ways to increase and decrease stitches using knitting looms. This article shows the techniques used in the String of Diamonds pattern also in this issue of LKC.

The easiest way to add a stitch is to e-wrap one or more pegs at the end of a row. Conversely, the easiest way to lesson the number of stitches is to move the last loop one peg toward the knitting and knit the end peg two-over-one.

When you have a slipped stitch edge, increasing and decreasing stitches at the end pegs can interrupt the braid pattern, so you want your increases to take place somewhere other than the edge.

[The String of Diamonds Scarf has a slipped edge, which gives it a pretty braid look.]

One way to add a stitch in the middle of your work is to move all the loops from where the stitch is to be added over one peg closer to the end, wrap the empty peg in the middle, then continue knitting the rest of the row in the stitch pattern you are using. (In the next row, the “new” peg in the middle peg gets knit the same as all the other pegs.) This method is most frequently used for lace patterns, as it leaves a hole where the increase takes place.

[Loop inserted in the middle of the knitting to add a stitch.]

Increase in e-wrap stitch pattern: the added stitch is marked in green.

One way to make the increase less noticeable is to twist the loop that creates the new stitch – i.e. using an e-wrap instead of just passing the yarn in front of the peg. The increase is even less noticeable in a garter stitch pattern.

[ Increase with garter stitch: the added stitch is marked in green. Knitting is stretched to show the added stitch.]

In order to decrease a stitch in the middle of the knitting, move the loops from where the decrease happens over one peg toward the center. Then move the rest of the loops in the row over also so there is no empty peg in the middle of the knitting. The decreased stitch gets knit off as two-over-one.

[ Decrease by moving the loops toward the center of the knitting.]

[On the right side of the knitting, the decreased stitches slant away from the center. Moving the loop to the right shows a left slant. Moving the loop to the left shows a right slant.]

If you want the slant of the decreased stitches to go the other way, move the loop toward the center and under the loop on the next peg.

Loops moved toward center of knitting are placed under the existing loop to make the decreased stitches point toward the center..

[The decreased stitches slant toward the center.]

In this issue of Loom Knitter’s Circle, you can make the String of Diamonds pattern to practice these increases and decreases. You will either increase or decrease a stitch at the end of each row.

How to Increase 1
When purling from right to left, purl to one peg before the end of the row. Then the last loop gets moved over one peg. E-wrap the empty peg to create a new stitch. E-wrap the last peg and then knit off the last peg.

[E-wrap the empty peg and the last peg, knit off the last peg.]

When knitting from left to right, knit to one peg before the end of the row. Then the last loop gets moved over one peg. E-wrap the empty peg to create a new loop. E-wrap the last peg and then knit off the last peg.

[ Move the last loop over one peg. E-wrap the last two pegs and knit off the last peg.]

If moving the last loop over one peg is difficult, here is an alternative method. E-wrap and knit off the second-to-last peg. Then e-wrap the same peg and the last peg, and knit off the last peg. Remove both loops from the pegs, and move them over each one peg.

[ Knit off the second-to-last peg. E-wrap it again and e-wrap the last peg. Knit off the last peg (1). Move the last two loops over one peg each (2).]

[ Here the loops are in the correct position after the increase.]

How to Decrease 1
When purling from right to left, purl to three pegs before the end of the row. Move the last two loops over one peg each toward the center of the knitting. Then purl the peg with two loops on it, pulling the new loop through both the loops on the peg. E-wrap and knit off the last peg.

[Move the last two loops over one peg each.]

[ Purl the peg with two loops, then e-wrap and knit off the last peg.]

When knitting from left to right, knit to three pegs before the end of the row. Move the last two loops over one peg each toward the center of the knitting, E-wrap the peg with two loops on it, then knit it off moving the two bottom loops over the top loop. E-wrap the last peg and then knit off the last peg.

[ Move the last two loops over one peg each.]

[E-wrap the last two pegs. Knit off the second-to-last peg as two-over-one, and knit off the last peg as normal.]

Using stitch markers
You may find it helpful to put stitch markers to indicate the widest point of the diamond; then you don’t have to count rows. For the smallest diamond of the scarf, the markers go five pegs to either side of the four cast-on pegs. After you finish the small diamond, move the markers away from the center by one peg each. After you finish the medium diamond, move the markers over one more peg to indicate the points of the large diamond. When you get to the end of the scarf, move the markers toward the center for each consecutive smaller diamond.

[ Stitch markers five pegs away from the four cast-on pegs identify the outer points of the small diamond. If there’s a loop on a marked peg, it’s time to start decreasing stitches.]

Stitch markers for the String of Diamonds belt go four pegs away from the four cast-on pegs.

Once you have finished the first diamond of your project, you should be pretty comfortable with increases and decreases. By the time you finish the project, you’ll be a pro!

About Author:

Anne Bipes is a homeschooling Mom who takes her looms along nearly everywhere she goes. She chronicles her work at LoomKnittingBlog and her instruction books and patterns can be found at LoomKnitting.com.

Contact Anne.

© Copyright 2008, Anne Bipes