How To Knit Lifted Increases - Knotions

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Lifted increases are one of my favorites — they stack on top of each other well, they have both left- and right-leaning versions, the purl version isn’t any harder than the knit version, and they look really tidy.

Here are some pics of the four types to help de-mystify this increase. It really shouldn’t be such a mystery.

Right Lifted Increase (RLI)

Step 1: Use your right needle to pull the knit stitch one row below the first stitch on your left needle.
Step 2: Place the stitch on the left needle, taking care to ensure it doesn’t slip over the stitch next to it.
Step 3: Knit the stitch and slip it off the needle, taking care not to slip off the stitch that was originally on the needle

Left Lifted Increase (LLI)

Step 1: Unlike the RLI, this increase is worked two stitches below.
Step 2: Insert your left needle from back to front underneath the second stitch below.
Step 3: Place this stitch on the left needle. Note that it will be mounted in the reverse direction from normal.
Step 4: Knit it through the front loop (insert needle from right to left).

Right Lifted Increase, Purl (RLIP)

Step 1: Use your right needle to pull the purl stitch one row below the first stitch on your left needle.
Step 2: Place the stitch on the left needle, taking care to ensure the left loop is in the back.
Step 3: Purl the stitch and slip it off the needle, taking care not to slip off the stitch that was originally on the needle

Left Lifted Increase, Purl (LLIP)

Step 1: Unlike the RLIP, this increase is worked two stitches below.
Step 2: Insert your left needle from bottom to top into the stitch.
Step 3: Purl the stitch.

How Lifted Increases are Abbreviated

There isn’t a standard way they’re abbreviated 🙁

I’ve shown the abbreviations that Knotions uses. But there are lots of ways that a pattern writer will use. I’ve even seen people use “make 1” and “inc 1”. But regardless, the important thing is for you to read the pattern.

Can I Use This Instead of a Different Increase?

In most cases, you can. If you’re not sure, do a little swatch to test if you like the way it looks.

Where You Can’t Use Lifted Increases

Lifted Increases use the stitch in the previous row. So, you can’t use them in the first row.

If you need to increase in the first row, I suggest a BYO. It will look neat but it won’t be tight. In order to avoid tightness, I don’t recommend a KFB.

Knit and purl sides, left- and right-leaning increases.

About the Instructor: Jody Richards

Jody-Richards-Headshot

Jody is the founder and lead editor of Knotions. She loves poring over stitch dictionaries and trying out new stitches. And while she likes all things crafting (well ok, except that one thing), yarn crafts are her true love (and she has the stash to prove it).

She’s a serial starter-of-projects and has a serious problem with finishing things without a deadline.

And don’t get her talking about hand-dyed yarns. You’ve been warned.

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