swatch a swatch b swatch c ON YOUR WAY TO THE MASTERS Ribbing Increases by vanessa montileone swatch d swatch e swatch f 66 Cast On • February – April 2007 Increasing is an integral part of knitting location to hide an increase. Masters whether used for shaping or decoration. Program level 1 requires swatches of single There is a plethora of written information and double rib with increases on the last concerning the various increase techniques row. The increases are to be unobtrusive and “Never accept but little is written concerning the use of evenly spaced. There are many formulas increases in ribbing. Level 1 of the TKGA for figuring how to space increases and a the WORD Master Hand Knitting Program asks general rule of thumb is not to increase in that increases be placed in the last row of an edge stitch. Increases placed at the edge of any expert ribbing and that they be unobtrusive. In form a jagged line that is visible and makes other words the increases should blend seaming difficult. What increase would without first into the ribbing pattern. Knitters must first work best? The make 1, although one of the checking it out have knowledge of the various increases least visible in stockinette, does not work and their characteristics before they can well in ribbing. It creates an open area for yourself.” chose which increase is best suited for the under the strand in which the increase is pattern stitch being knitted. made. That open area can be visible in the ribbing. The lifted increase is the second – Maggie Righetti A brief review of four commonly used best increase in ribbing. The lifted increase increases includes: bar, lifted, make 1 and is done by knitting into the head of the yarn over. Some of the increases share stitch below and placing the new loop on common characteristics. The lifted and the right needle then knitting the stitch make 1 can slant right or left depending on normally. The lifted increase resembles a how they are executed. This makes them a V formation and if not done properly can the stitch. It is best to make increases in good choice when shaping an armhole or leave an open area that is visible. one type of stitch, either knit or purl stitch neckline. The lifted and the make 1 are less increases for continuity. This is especially visible and work well in stockinette stitch. The bar increase is usually one of the first true if you have difficulty maintaining The yarn over is an open increase and increases a knitter learns; it is visible in tension when changing from a knit to a produces a hole. It is wonderful when used stockinette but the best choice in ribbing. purl. Proper tension is always important, in decorative patterns of lace and eyelet. The bar increase is done by knitting into especially when working different stitches The bar increase is visible and produces the front and then the back of one stitch in a row. a bump to the side of the stitch in which creating two stitches from one. When the it is made. Planning is the first step to a back of the stitch is knit into, it forms a Many times the TKGA Masters Program beautiful handmade item, and knowing bump much like a purl and it hides itself committee members who review Masters which increase to use will yield the best in the transition between the knit and purl. submissions see inconsistent tension in finished result. It is best to place the increase in the knit ribbing. Loose stitches in the transition stitch of single rib and in the second knit from knit to purl are sure to be noticed. Breaking down the Stitches! stitch of double rib. By placing the bar in Using the bar or lifted increase should Ribbing is a pattern stitch that uses knits a knit, the bump that is created will blend provide good results with the proper and purls to form smooth and bumpy into the transition from knit to purl. The tension. To help alleviate tension problems vertical lines. The purl stitch naturally yarn should be pulled tightly so that no it is best to bring the yarn forward tightly recedes behind the knit stitch and together holes are visible and the knit stitch is not and give a “tug” when changing from knit they give elasticity to the fabric. The allowed to gather any extra yarn from other to purl. If pulling the yarn tightly does not vertical purl rows are often referred to as stitches that might increase its size. Extra give the proper effect another solution is to the purl “ditch”. We can also think of the yarn in the knit stitch disrupts the tension purl stitches as being in a closet away from leaving the ribbing looking sloppy. The bar the public. The transition from knit to increase can be done in a purl stitch also purl stitches provides the perfect “closet” by purling into the front and the back of continued on page 68 www.TKGA.com 67 continued from page 67 Worsted weight on size 8us/5mm needle. Lampe, Jean “Increasing: More of a Good All increases were done on the last row Thing Part I” Interweave Knits, Fall 2001 wrap the purl stitch from underneath and of ribbing per the Masters Program p.86-88. “Increasing: More of a Good over the top (wrapping clockwise). It must instructions. Thing Part II” Interweave Knits, Winter then be knit through the back loop on the 01/02 p.62-63. next row to prevent twisting. This is a last Swatch A: Single Rib –Bar Increase Melville, Sally, The Purl Stitch, XRX, Inc, resort as it is easy to forget the last step and Swatch B: Double Rib – Bar Increase 2003. end up with twisted stitches. Swatch C: Single Rib – Lifted Increase Vogue Knitting Editors. Vogue Knitting. Swatch D: Double Rib – Lifted Increase Pantheon Books, 1989. The best result for an unobtrusive increase Swatch E: Single Rib – Make 1 left slant Wiseman, Nancie, The Knitter’s Book will depend on how you knit. Plan spacing Swatch F: Single Rib – Inconsistent Ribbing of Finishing Techniques. Martingale & carefully, the bar increase should produce tension with Bar Increase Company 2002. wonderful results with the lifted increase following closely. An increase done properly Resources: and paired with poor tension will be like Buss, Katharina, Big Book of Knitting. the “Leaning tower of Pisa” – A great work Sterling Publishing Co., Inc. 1999. of art with a unstable base! Fisher, Margaret, “On Your Way to the Masters-Hand” Cast On, Winter 1999 Swatch Explanation Hiatt, June Hemmons, The Principles of All Swatches were made using Lamb’s Pride Knitting. Simon & Schuster. 1988. EXCLUSIVE FOR TKGA GUILDS! Rent one for your next guild meeting. Encourage Members to Bring their Friends! Provide Valued Instruction for Experienced and Beginning Knitters Alike! Just right for a guild program. Choose one of 12 for your first rental. Each of the 12 kits showcases one basic knitting stitch pattern, along with stitch combinations and decorative variations utilizing that pattern. Detailed instructions, how-to photos and several knitted swatches using Lion Brand Yarn’s newest and most popular yarns in the latest colors are included. The knitted swatches exemplify how different the same stitch pattern looks when stitched with different yarns and illustrate which colors and types of yarns work best with certain stitch patterns, and which ones don’t. Visit www.TKGA.com for further details! 68 Cast On • February – April 2007.