Increasing in Moss Stitch

#1

Help me, please!

I would like to increase during a moss stitch pattern (for shaping). What’s the best way?

Pattern: (even no. of stitches)

Row 1: K1, P1 repeat to end
Row 2: K1, P1 repeat to end
Row 3: P1, K1 repeat to end
Row 4: P1, K1 repeat to end
Repeat the four rows

It looks like a chequer-board with 1x2 “rectangles”. I have tried to inc1 every few stitches in the even-numbered rows by “Knit in bar between stitches” which makes holes, and by “Knit in front and back of stitch” which spoils the pattern. What do you suggest, o wise knitting forum?

#2

The M1 shouldn’t leave a hole. Are you knitting into the little loop in the back or the wider strand in the front?

When I have to increase in a ribbing or seed stitch pattern, I do it like this:

If the stitch that will be added at the beginning is a purl, I’ll purl and knit into the first stitch.

If the stitch that will be added at the end is a purl, I’ll knit and purl into the last stitch.

I do the opposite if the added stitch will be a knit.

#3

Hi Ingrid! Thanks for your help. I don’t understand:

The M1 shouldn’t leave a hole. Are you knitting into the little loop in the back or the wider strand in the front?

I knitted into the wide strand. Is the “little loop in the back” the stitch from the previous row?

But I do understand your other instructions. Thanks, I’ll have a go!

(I think it will work best if I do it on the odd-numbered rows after finishing full “rectangles”. In a mid-row increase, I’ll inc in two stitches.)

#4

When you pick up the strand for the M1, there is a diagonal strand on the front and a little loop at the back on the needle. It’s a pain, but that’s what you knit into.

Take a look at Amy’s videos for a demo.

#5

Ingrid, I watched the video on MIL and MIR and she lifts the strand between the two stitches. What do you mean the little loop in the back? Are you doing something different than the video? :??

#6

No, I lift the strand. If you lift the strand from back to front, you basically knit into the back of the needle. I call it the ‘little loop’ because sometimes it’s really hard to get the needle into it.

#7

OK, I thought that maybe you had another way and I am always interested in learning something new. I don’t know why but when I do the MI I too get a small hole that is why I switched to KRL and KLL.