Easy Ways to Increase Knitting Stitches

How many different ways to increase knitting stitches do you know?

I feel like most knitters start out with the simple knit in the front and back, also known as kfb, because if you know how to make the knit stitch it’s not that hard to wrap your brain around knitting in the back loop of the same stitch. Kfb is quick and easy, but the bar of that stitch knit through the back loop makes it quite visible when worked on stockinette stitch. It’s less visible on garter stitch.

Using a backward loop cast on to increase stitches is another common way for new knitters to increase, especially if you started knitting by learning this cast on. I don’t actually love backward loop as a cast on for a full project because it’s really loose and floppy and can be hard to work into. (I much prefer the knit cast on for beginners because it’s easy to learn, more stable and once yo know how to do it you know how to knit.)

And then there’s yarn overs. If you want your increase to not only be visible but decorative, yarn overs are the way to go. I love a raglan seam shaped with yarn overs, which offer a little ventilation and decoration. Of course yarn overs can be used for strictly decorative purposes coupled with decreases, but they can also be used to add stitches.

How about make one? These increases are made by working into the yarn that sits between two stitches, and they can be made to lean to the left or the right. (I always, ALWAYS forget which is which and have to look it up every time.)

You’d think that would be enough, but there are actually even more options for increasing knitting stitches you might want to know about. This post from Nimble Needles provides an overview of more than a dozen different kinds of increases. Some of them are used in very particular situations like brioche knitting or stacked stitches, but there are plenty of them that you can use in your everyday knitting.

I’m definitely going to try the make two (pictured above) soon; I’d never heard of that one!

See any new to you increase options?

[Photo: Nimble Needle.]

Increases and Decreases for Lace Knitting

Your Quick Reference Guide to Common Increases and Decreases

How Do You Read a Knitting Pattern?

There is something wonderfully nostalgic about a pair of handmade bed socks, isn’t there? They are practical, pretty, and just the sort of project that feels like it belongs beside a cup of tea, a good film, and a basket of wool that is pretending not to be overflowing.

This vintage Bed Socks knitting pattern is one of those sweet little patterns that still feels useful today. Originally from the Jaeger Hand-Knit Series No. 44, the design features a simple garter-stitch foot, a ribbed cuff, eyelet holes, a crochet chain tie, and little tassel-style pom-poms at the front. The original pattern even describes them as “a very acceptable present,” and honestly, I don’t think much has changed there.

These would make a lovely handmade gift for someone who is always cold, someone recovering or resting, or anyone who appreciates a bit of old-fashioned comfort. They would also be beautiful as a Mother’s Day gift, a winter birthday present, a Christmas stocking filler, or a “just because you deserve cozy feet” project.

The pattern itself is delightfully simple in construction. The socks are knitted flat, beginning at the lower edge, with the foot worked in garter stitch before moving into the ribbed upper section. The decorative eyelet row allows for a crochet chain cord to be threaded through, and the finishing tassels give the socks that charming vintage look. The top edge is finished with a row of double crochet, which adds a neat handmade touch.

The original measurements list the socks as approximately 10½ inches from the top to the lower edge of the heel, with a 9¾ inch foot length, and the pattern notes that the size can be adapted. As with many vintage knitting patterns, modern knitters will want to check gauge carefully and choose a soft yarn that feels comfortable against the skin. A cozy wool blend, soft acrylic, or washable yarn would all work depending on whether you are making these for everyday use or as a special gift.

I especially love that this pattern has that “giftable” quality without being a massive project. It is small enough to feel achievable, but still special enough that the finished pair looks thoughtful. And let’s be honest, handmade socks with pom-poms are always going to beat a last-minute candle from the supermarket.

The PDF version has been cleaned up and formatted for easier reading while keeping the original vintage design intact. It also includes a modern pink mockup image and the original vintage scan, so you get both the historical charm and a fresh idea of how the finished socks could look today.

If you enjoy vintage knitting patterns, cozy handmade gifts, or quick projects that feel useful rather than just decorative, this sweet little bed socks pattern is a lovely one to add to your collection.

You can find the Vintage Bed Socks Knitting Pattern PDF in the CraftGossip Etsy store.

For supplies, this is also a nice stash-friendly project. A soft yarn from Mary Maxim or Amazon would work well, and if you make pom-poms regularly, a small pom-pom maker is one of those inexpensive tools that saves a surprising amount of fiddling.

Have you read?