Make One Increases (M1, M1R, & M1L)

Make one increases are created by working into the strand in between two stitches on your knitting needles. In this video, Jen Lucas explains how to work both the make one left (m1L) and make one right (m1R). These increases are mirror images of each other, as one leans to the left and the other to the right. When used in projects, such as top-down sweaters, it creates a very polished look in your garment.

MAKE ONE RIGHT (M1R)

The make one right is an increase that leans to the right. You’ll often see it abbreviated in knitting patterns as m1R. To make this stitch, you’ll be working into the strand in between the stitch just worked and the next stitch. With the left-hand needle, lift this strand by bringing the needle from back to front and placing it onto the left needle. With the yarn in the back, insert the right needle into this stitch from front to back and knit. You’ve created the make one right increase.

MAKE ONE LEFT (M1L)

The make one left is an increase that leans to the left. It’s often abbreviated in knitting patterns as m1L. Additionally, if your pattern calls for a simple make one (or m1), you will traditionally use the m1L for that generic increase. Just like its right-leaning companion, the make one left is created by working into the strand in between the stitch just worked and the next stitch. With the left-hand needle, lift this strand by inserting the needle from front to back and placing it onto the left needle. With the yarn in the back, insert the right needle from front to back and knit through the back of the stitch. You’ve created the make one or make one left increase.

These increases are easy to work and create a clean look in your knitted fabric. Use these increases the next time you’re working a top-down sweater or the thumb gusset of a mitten!