How to knit the hitch knot increase purlwise

A step-by-step tutorial on knitting a centered increase for the purlside – super invisible

There are certain increases that are so rare, they barely appear in any knitting stitch patterns whatsoever. The hitch knot increase (HKI) is one of them. However, as fascinating as that centered single increase is, I always wondered if you could achieve the same result for the purlwise. After a bit of trial and error, I found a way to achieve this the easy way.

Now, what makes this hitch knot increase purlwise so interesting is not only the fact that it is centered (unlike almost any other increase). It’s also very invisible on top of that when you combine it with reverse stockinette stitch.

Let’s take a look!

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Instructions: How to knit the hitch knot increase purlwise

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Knitting this increase requires a bit of practise since it involves some motions you typically do not see in standard knitting. It's a bit reminiscent of KFB - knit front and back.

Active Time 1 minute

Total Time 1 minute

Materials

• Any yarn works. I am using the Schachenmayr Catania Grande in this tutorial

Tools

• It's easier with relatively sharp needles. I am using the Knitter's Pride Dreamz here because they work well on camera.

Instructions

1. Purl the next stitch through the back loop without dropping the loop off the left needle.
   
   
2. As you drop the stitch, insert the left needle into the resulting ptbl from behind.
   
   
3. Scoop up the right leg of the stitch (now one row below) by coming in from the front.
   
   
4. And slip it over to the left needle.
   
5. Slip this loop/stitch knitwise over to the right needle.
   
6. Purl into the loop as normal.
   
7. And drop the stitch off the left needle to finish it.
   
   

Now this increase has a very clear downside. It leaves behind a very visible bar on the knit side. It almost looks a bit like a wrap-stitch. As such, it’s probably not a good choice for most reversible projects – except you want to use this very effect for ornamental reasons.

In a way, it reminds me a lot of KBF – knit front and back. That increase is sometimes also called ‘bar increase’ because it also leaves behind a little bar (albeit much more inconspicuous). I could also see how this little bar/loop could be used for knitting toys. It could be a very easy way to mark the place where you need to attach ears and possibly use it for seaming.

And that’s how to knit the hitch knot increase purlwise. Comment below if you have any questions.