Increasing stitches from an i-cord question

I am making a Jester Hat that has a ball at the end of an i-cord. After making the i-cord the directions state:
Begin ball shaping
Round 1: in each of the three stitches, increase one stitch, 6 stitches.
Place 2 on each needle.
Round 2: Increase in every stitch again: 12 stitches, 4 on each needle.
Round 3: Work even.
Round 4: k1, m1, k2, m1, k1 repeat around. 18 stitches

the rest of the pattern is even and decreases…
My question is: What is the best way to make an increase? I tried the Make 1 Away because it did not seem like I could do the Make 1 Front because of the nature of the i-cord and the between stitches. It was a mess! Maybe I was pulling the stitches to tight. Should I try again or can someone offer another method? I have not really increased previous to this hat.
Thank you so much for your help!!! Lisa:)

When a pattern says to increase [B]in[/B] a stitch as this one does, you need to kfb, knit in the front and back of the stitch. M1 increases between the sts and you do that on round 4, but if you do it on 1 and 2 you won’t have enough sts to get the right st number.

Thank you! I will try this! I did wonder if the increase and make were two different things!
:slight_smile: