The make one is a commonly used knitting increase, but there are 6 variations of this stitch: m1, m1l, m1r, m1p, m1pl, m1pr. Each one looks a little bit different in your work.
First, let’s define the abbreviations (note that the fist 3 make ones are done knitwise and last 3 are the same, but they’re done purlwise):
- M1 – make one
- M1l – make one left
- M1r – make one right
- M1p – make one purlwise
- M1pl – make one left purlwise
- M1pr – make one right purlwise
Each of the 3 variations differ by the way they lean:
- M1 and m1p do not lean and they leave a small hole in your work
- M1l and m1lp lean toward the left
- M1r and m1rp lean toward the right
M1 Video Tutorial
In this video, I demonstrate how to do all 6 variations. Then below the video are photos to show how they appear in your work.
Practice Reading Your Knitting
In the photo below, I’ve highlighted the columns of stitches that flank the m1’s in green. These columns run from the bottom of the photo to the top. I’ve also highlighted the newly formed columns of stitches (as a result of doing the make ones) in blue.
You’ll notice 6 dots on the photo. Those are the make ones. The bottom 3, from left to right are: m1l, m1, m1r. The top 3 from left to right are: m1pl, m1p, m1pr. The purlwise increases were done on the purl side, but they are shown here on the knit side because they are barely noticeable on the purl side.
Note that the following stitches match perfectly when the knitwise m1’s are done on the knit side and the purlwise m1’s are done on the purl side:
- M1l and m1lp (at the left of the photo)
- M1 and m1p (in the center of the photo)
- M1r and m1rp (at the right of the photo)
Here is the same photo without the markups. Can you identify the make ones?
M1 Written Instructions
How to M1
Work a m1 just like a regular knit stitch, but instead of inserting your working needle into the stitch on the left needle, you will:
- Insert your working needle from the front to the back under the strand between the needles
- Draw up a loop to knit (just like a regular knit stitch)
How to M1p
Work a m1p just like a regular purl stitch, but instead of inserting your working needle into the stitch on the left needle, you will:
- Insert your working needle from the back to the front under the strand between the needles
- Draw up a loop to purl (just like a regular purl stitch)
How to M1l
- Insert your left needle from the front to the back into the strand between your needles
- Knit into the back of that stitch
How to M1pl
- Insert your left needle from the front to the back into the strand between your needles
- Purl into the back of that stitch
How to M1r
- Insert your left needle from the back to the front into the strand between your needles
- Knit into the front of that stitch
How to M1pr
- Insert your left needle from the back to the front into the strand between your needles
- Purl into the front of that stitch
Want to Try it in a Project?
Several of these make ones are used in the Keavy Pullover KAL, one of the projects in the Knit Along Club. We guide you through every step of the pattern with written, photo, and video tutorials similar to this one.
If you are the kind of knitter who wants to finish projects faster with fewer mistakes, then join me in the Knit Along Club and take your knitting to the next level!