Helpline

Hello Elaine and welcome to the new site!

If you don’t get this right sideways knitting is going to be a problem!

For increasing
At the carriage side and where the increase is required bring two needles to holding position and e-wrap them both with the main yarn. Knit one row. Bring out those same two end needles to holding position again and as you take the carriage back across they will knit back. Repeat bringing out two more needles to holding position and e-wrapping them. Knit one row bring those same two needles out to holding position again and knit back across This way instead of increasing one stitch every row which makes the edge tight you increase two stitches every two rows. Use hand tension or a claw weight on the new knitting for a few rows.

For decreasing
Take a length of main yarn and at the end to be decreased knit the end stitch by hand with this separate length of yarn. Take the second end stitch on to the end needle and bring both stitches back to the empty needle. Knit one row and repeat always knitting the end stitch by hand before working the decrease.

Increasing several stitches
To increase a large number of stitches at one end work as follows. At the carriage end bring to holding position the required number of needles and e-wrap over them. Knit one row. Bring all the needles involved in the increase to holding position again and knit one row then repeat. This method sometimes works but if you’re using a fancy yarn it may give you problems so here’s another technique to try.

Start with the carriage at the end where you’d like to work the multiple increases. Hook a spare piece of knitting on to the empty needles to be used. Remove the yarn from the feeder. Over these needles only (put the others to holding position and set carriage to hold) knit one row with a nylon cord. Bring those same needles out to holding position again and then take the carriage back. Now using main yarn e-wrap over these needles. Re-thread the main yarn and continue to knit over all needles but bring those increased stitches to holding position for a few rows to make sure they knit off correctly The extra piece of knitting hooked on to the needles gives you something on which to hang the claw weights for just a few rows until the knitting runs smoothly.

I hope that helps.

Best wishes
Anne