How to Make 1 Left (M1L) and Make 1 Right (M1R)
I’m going to show you how to M1L and M1R. These are increases made on the knitted side of your work. Not sure what I mean by “knitted side”? check out this post here
To make a M1L or a M1R, you will use this “bar” between two stitches. It effectively adds a stitch by knitting this “bar” as if it was a stitch.
Step 1 in either a M1L or M1R is to pick this “bar” up. Whether you pick up from the front or the back will determine whether the stitch “leans” to the left or to the right.
How to Make 1 Left (M1L)
So here are the steps for how to M1L…
How to Make 1 Right (M1R)
Now I’ve shown you how to M1L, here are the steps for making a M1R…
How to remember whether it is a M1L or M1R
Now I’ve shown you how to M1L and a M1R. If you’re anything like me, you’ll forget this tutorial, come to a pattern, it will say M1L or M1R and you’ll think….gah! I can’t remember which is which!!!
So, here are two ways I use to remember which is which:
- The first one is that you make a M1R by picking up from the REAR (Right / Rear).
- The other way is by looking at the “bar” you have picked up.
In a M1R , the bar will lean to the right…
In a M1L it will lean to the left (see picture below for M1L! 🙂 )
I hope that this helps you remember how to M1L and a M1R!! 🙂
Jo
Interesting. I’m not sure I have met this distinction in any pattern I’ve tried. Not that I am a great knitter. I do what you call M1L when M1 is given.
I think if it doesn’t specify then that makes sense. some patterns that need a specific left or right “slant” on some stitches I’ve seen use both. for example around a raglan sleeve, etc. 😊
I only lift the yarn of the row below to make increases. If you knit into the row below your needle before you knit it the st leans to the right. If you knit into the row below your needle after you knit it the st leans to the left. This method makes a nice neat increase which is almost invisible.
Thanks for the helpful tips. I used to always get them mixed up until I heard Stephen West use these cute little phrases to remember which is which:
I’ll be “right back” = M1R
and
I “left” the “front” door open = M1L
Now I just mutter to myself while I’m increasing, which isn’t weird at all. LOL!
they’re great too. trust someone as creative ad him to come up with something fun like that! 😊
In my dozes of WIPs there’s one that involves these – and I’m happy to have your helpful mnemonic !
🙂
Great tip! Thanks.
glad it’s useful! thanks for your comment!
Thank you for this smart tip to remember which is which!
thanks! I’m glad it’s useful! 😊
I knit left handed. Do I reverse them in a pattern for it to look correct?
hello. that is a really good question. I’m not 100% sure is the answer. I think you would do them. as written, although a “m1l” might lean right, because you are gong from left to right instead of right you left, would it turn out right in the end?
Thanks again – so helpful
thx a lot, i always do M1L, that is useful tips for me i’m a beginner knitter just since 3 years
hello, thanks. I’m glad it is useful! 😊
thx a lot, i always do M1L, its useful tips for me that i’m a beginner knitter just since 3 years 🙂
I was taught in 1958 by my Finnish grandmother to pick up the loop in the row below and knit it. Pick up before knitting the stitch and it leans left, pick up after and it leans right.
interesting technique. Although i know you can increase stitches that way I’ve never tried it.
Well done! Clearly explained and helpful tip for remembering!
thanks!
Just came across this AWESOME tutorial. Thank you for your clear explanation and mnemonic device!
thanks, glad it’s useful