Increasing at each end

How-to Questions
1

Hi everyone

Just want to get a professional opinion on how to increase at each end of needle for sleeves. I always have trouble sewing the sleeves together because they don’t seem to go together very good. My pattern calls for an increase at each end of the needle on every alternate row and then every third row. How would you professionals do it?

Debbie

2

I used to use kfb until I learned about KLR/kLL - they’re much more invisible. Some people recommend doing the increase (or a decrease) on the second or even 3rd stitch from the end. The patterns say `on each end’ but that doesn’t mean it has to be the very end stitch.

sue

3

I’m certainly not a professional :teehee: but I learned through this very forum that it’s always a good idea to put the increases two or three stitches in from the side…like suzeeq has already mentioned. This makes the edges nice and straight so you won’t have problems with the seaming.

4

Thanks for the tips, I will definitely try this. Also, would I use the same increase at each end of the needle?

Debbie

5

It depends which increase you’re using. Kfb is the same, but KRL/KLL slant differently as do M1L/R. You’ll just have to experiment on some leftover yarn to see which you like better.

sue

6

I’m sorry for sounding so stupid but I just want to make sure I got this right. I’ve decided to use m1f as shown here in the help section. Now, when I increase at the beginning of the needle with m1f, do I use m1b at the end of the needle for the second increase? Or does it matter with a sleeve?

Sorry
Debbie

7

If you’re going to use an increase that slants, it’s probably better to use the opposite one on the other side. Knit up a sample of about 10 sts and practice with it, see what you like.

8

Thanks for all your help, I’ll give it a try. I never knew before there was a difference in increases.

Debbie

9

I was really hung up one which way and inc and dec slants. I was making the first and last inc or dec slant away from the seam but after talking to many people on this site they recommended that I make my inc and dec slant towards the edge/seam that way they are less noticable. Hope that helps.