Make 1 Right (m1R) + Make 1 Left (m1L)
Sometimes, for decorative effect, you may want to make increases that lean either right or left. Here’s how to do it!
Make 1 Right (m1R)
To “make 1 right” (m1R), use the left needle to pick up the strand between the last stitch you knit and the one you’re about to knit, bringing the needle from back to front. Leave the strand on the left needle.
Next, insert the tip of the right needle knitwise into the front leg of the strand and knit as usual.
You now have one new, right-leaning stitch on the right needle!
Make 1 Left (m1L)
To “make 1 left” (m1L), pick up the bar between the stitch you knit and the one you’re about to knit, bringing the needle from front to back.
Next, insert the tip of the right needle knitwise into the back leg of the strand and knit as usual.
You now have one new, left-leaning stitch on the right needle!
Love the photo’s you provided! Simple, clear, visual reminder of how to M1L & M1R without having to rewind the video 🙂
Thanks so much!
I use your tutorial for my friends and students on the regular!! Best one, clear, simple, awesome pictures. Thank you!!
I am needing to m1L and m1R starting from cast on. Since there are two bars between the stitches instead of just one I can’t figure out which bar to use! Can you help?
This is a great explanation. Thanks! Quite honestly, after knitting for over 40 years now, afraid I’ve done M1L every time, regardless of what pattern says. There is a difference in appearance. Who said an old dog can’t learn new tricks?
simple and excellent explanation Thank you
In your Arched Gusset Mittens the m1L and m1R are stacked right on top of each other and I couldn’t tell where the strand I need to pick up is. Any pointers? I opted to just do e-loop increases, they worked but maybe the m1s would look better, I’d like to try them at least.
Hi Judy,
Thanks for reaching out! Even though the pattern has the increases stacked, this wont change how the increase works! You can work them the same way you would normally since you are simply making the stitch from the strand between the two stitches below.
I hope this clears things up!
Warmly,
Gianna
Trying to figure our M1L and M1R in twisted rib stitch for Twisted Rib Pullover. Do we treat them as knit stitches?
Hi AE,
Thanks for reaching out. You can work the m1L and m1R increases in the twisted rib stitch exactly as you would in a non-twisted knit fabric! Hope this helps clarify things.
All the best,
Lili
Thank you for the mnemonic for M1R – I could never remember
I am a bit confused round 1 has 52 stitches but round 2 needs 60 stitches where are the missing 8 coming from?
Hi Annette,
Thanks for reaching out. Can you let us know what pattern you’re working from? I’ll keep an eye out for your reply, and then I’ll be able to give you advice!
All the best,
Lili
I am knitting the colorful corners baby blanket. States to K2, m1L, knit, m1R, K2. My question, other items I’ve done have the m1R on the right side of the piece, and m1L on left. Is the pattern correct with m1L on right, m1R on left…should I just follow the directions and quit second guessing 😉
Hi Stephanie,
Thanks for reaching out! The placement of increase stitches in this pattern was a design choice, and it results in a slightly different looking edge. Both methods work perfectly well though!
All the best,
Lili
Hi, when making M1L and M1R, although they’re twisted are they still knit stitches on the RS? I have a pattern that requires me to work across the back in pattern and I wasn’t sure if the new M1 stitch is a knitted or purled stitch. Thanks!
Hi Sam,
That is a great question! This will all really depend on the instruction of the specific pattern you are knitting but typically a m1R or m1L will be considered a knit stitch after it is made on the right side of your work. If you make 1 on the wrong side, you will have a purl bump at the back, so you should purl that stitch on the right side. I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
Warmly,
Gavriella
Hi there. I’m am doing an m1r and m1l for a ribbed pattern and am getting confused. It’s your simple ribbed shrug pattern. When I’ve made the m1r and m1l knitwise increases in Round 1, and then proceed to repeat the round again, are the previous rounds increases “knit” stitches? Likewise, when I m1r and l purlwise, can I conclude the new stitches are purls? I’m having trouble because I’m asked to “work in pattern round” yet the ribbing changes the pattern. Does this make sense?
Hi Kathryn,
Thank you for writing in! That is correct! You will work those increases as knit stitches unless otherwise noted in the pattern. For this pattern specifically, there will be points in which there are more knit or purl stitches in a row as you begin to increase. After you have established the knits and purls, you will work in pattern for the subsequent stitches meaning you will knit all the knit stitches and purl all the purls. I hope this helps!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella