How to knit m1

A step-by-step tutorial showing you how to increase with m1 in knitting for beginners

You just started knitting and now your pattern tells you to “m1”? And you have no clue what it means and how to knit it? Well, then you came to the right place because in this tutorial I will be showing you everything you need to know about this super simple stitch.

What is m1?

M1 stands for make one. It’s the abbreviation for the simplest increase in knitting. By following the instructions, you can increase your stitch count by one and this will make your project get wider. Often, it appears in the context of M1R or M1L – Make one right or Make one left. In some (older) patterns, the abbreviation is also used to indicate just any knitting increase. It’s a different way to say “create one new stitch”

Let’s show you how to knit it!

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Instructions: How to knit m1

Once you knitted across a couple of rows the classic m1 stitch and a yarn over increase have the same structural result. The difference is that a m1 will be a bit tighter as you don’t add any extra slack by wrapping the strand around the needle.

In both cases, the result will be an eyelet and that may or may not be what you are looking for. Hence, smart knitters invented a way to prevent this by adjusting the instructions a tiny bit. These variations are known as Make One Right (M1R) and Make one Left (M1L). They are so-called directional increases. When you stack them upon each other in consecutive rows, you will create an increase line that either leans to the left or to the right.

How to M1L

If your pattern requires a right-leaning increase, you have to knit Make one Let. Here’s how you need to adjust the instructions from above:

Step 1: Lift the strand between two stitches back to the left needle coming in from the front.

Step 2: Insert your right needle into the back loop of the lifted stitch.

Step 3: Wrap the yarn around the needle counter-clockwise.

Step 4: Pull the yarn through, and drop the stitch off the needles.

It’s actually quite easy to remember: Make one Left = left-leaning = pick up the strand so it leans towards the left.

How to M1R

Whenever you need a right-leaning increase, you have to knit Make one Right. It’s almost as simple:

Step 1: Lift the strand between two stitches back to your left needle coming in from behind.

Step 2: Insert your right needle through the loop you lifted back to your knitting needle from left to right (so through the front).

Step 3: Wrap the yarn around the needle counter-clockwise.

Step 4: Pull the working yarn through and drop the stitch off the left needle.

M1R is just as easy to remember: Make one right = right-leaning = pick up the strand so it leans towards the right. In both cases, you have to knit the strand twisted. Basically, you have to go in from the more difficult side. If you knit it and you see the lifted strand forming a big eyelet below, you know you did it the wrong way.

Difference between M1L and M1R

The swatch above shows you the two stitches side by side. As you can see, they look slightly different and can be used depending on your preferences and the pattern you are using. Typically, you will use M1L on the right side of the project and M1R on the left side.

The standard M1 is slightly left-leaning but can be used anywhere in your knitting. Typically lace patterns that want to achieve a more condensed mesh-like appearance will use it.

Further tips, tricks, and FAQ

I end up with visible holes and eyelets despite twisting the stitches. What can I do?

Try to work as closely to the tip of the needle as possible. Also, if you pull the stitch too tight, you might actually make things worse as the surrounding stitches will be super small while the strand you lifted back to the needle stole yarn from the adjacent stitches and will appear to be much looser.

Ultimately, make one is a stitch that will always create a little eyelet. Consider using a lifted increase instead.

What happens if I need to m1 in a purl row?

There is a version of M1 for the purlside as well. It’s called Make one purl left (M1PL) and Make one purl right (M1PR) respectively. When you use these stitches on the wrong side, they will look exactly as M1L & M1R on the right side.

My pattern only says M1. Do I use M1R or M1l?

This is entirely up to your preferences. If you look at the swatched throughout this tutorial, you will get a good impressions how the different variations appear in your knitted fabric. Ultimately, there is no right or wrong way to use these stitches. It will depend on your preferences.

But as a rule of thumb, you use a left-leaning decrease on the right edge and a right-leaning increase on the left side.

Anyway, that’s how to m1 in knitting. Comment below in case you have any questions