One of my favorite ways to increase a stitch in knitting is called the lifted increase. For me, this is the method that is the easiest to remember and manipulate.
Thanks to Ewe Ewe Yarns for providing all of the colorful Wooly Worsted yarn I'm knitting with in this series. Also, thanks to Skacel for providing the DPNs used in this series. They are available locally at many yarn shops and online at Makers' Mercantile.
Locate the previous child, parent and grandparent sts. Insert the LEFT needle from back to front under the LEFT leg of the grandparent stitch. Knit through the back loop of the lifted stitch dropping the lifted stitch off the left needle. Notice the new child and previous parent both emerge from the grandparent.
Tip - Always give the grandparents a lift.
Remember - Lift the LEFT leg with the LEFT needle for an increase that slants LEFT.
Tip - Always give the grandparents a lift.
Remember - Lift the RIGHT leg with the RIGHT needle for an increase that slants RIGHT.
CO 12.
Rnd 1 and all odd Rnds: k all sts.
Rnd 2: [k1, LIL, k1, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 4: [k1, LIL, k3, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 6: [k1, LIL, k5, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 8: [k1, LIL, k7, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 10: [k1, LIL, k9, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd12: [k1, LIL, k11, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 14: [k1, LIL, k13, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 16: [k1, LIL, k15, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 18: [k1, LIL, k17, LIR, k1] 4 times.
BO.
Notice - When the lifted increases slant AWAY FROM the diagonals, the diagonal ridge narrow.
The lifted increases slant TOWARD the diagonals of the square.
CO 12.
Rnd 1 and all odd Rnds: k all sts.
Rnd 2: [k1, LIR, k1, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 4: [k1, LIR, k3, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 6: [k1, LIR, k5, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 8: [k1, LIR, k7, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 10: [k1, LIR, k9, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 12: [k1, LIR, k11, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 14: [k1, LIR, k13, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 16: [k1, LIR, k15, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 18: [k1, LIR, k17, LIL, k1] 4 times.
BO.
Notice - When the lifted increases slant TOWARD the diagonals, the diagonal ridge is wider.
Before You Begin
If you would like more information about this project or need help casting on, here's where you can get started with the Knit Inc Sampler Squares series.
Materials
- Ewe Ewe Yarns Wooly Worsted (50g/1.75 oz, 95 yds, 80 m) color 45-Soft Sage
- addi Natura Bamboo US size 8 (5 mm) DPNs
Printable Lessons and Block Patterns
A printable .PDF version of the Knit Inc Sampler Squares Tutorials and Block Patterns is available for purchase in my shop. Pattern purchases allow me to continue creating instructional resources for knitters worldwide.
Think of the rows of stitches as generations. The row of new stitches being formed are the “child” stitches. The row you are working into are the “parent” stitches. The row below the parents are the “grandparents”.Lesson 2
Lifted Increase Left (LIL)

Tip - Always give the grandparents a lift.
Remember - Lift the LEFT leg with the LEFT needle for an increase that slants LEFT.
Lifted Increase Right (LIR)
Locate the next parent and grandparent. Insert the RIGHT needle from back to front under the RIGHT leg of the grandparent stitch and place the lifted stitch onto the left needle without twisting. Knit the stitch dropping the lifted stitch off the left needle. Notice the next parent and new child both emerge from the grandparent.Tip - Always give the grandparents a lift.
Remember - Lift the RIGHT leg with the RIGHT needle for an increase that slants RIGHT.
Block Patterns
Block 3
The lifted increases slant AWAY FROM the diagonals of the square.
CO 12.
Rnd 1 and all odd Rnds: k all sts.
Rnd 2: [k1, LIL, k1, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 4: [k1, LIL, k3, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 6: [k1, LIL, k5, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 8: [k1, LIL, k7, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 10: [k1, LIL, k9, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd12: [k1, LIL, k11, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 14: [k1, LIL, k13, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 16: [k1, LIL, k15, LIR, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 18: [k1, LIL, k17, LIR, k1] 4 times.
BO.
Notice - When the lifted increases slant AWAY FROM the diagonals, the diagonal ridge narrow.
Block 4
The lifted increases slant TOWARD the diagonals of the square.
CO 12.
Rnd 1 and all odd Rnds: k all sts.
Rnd 2: [k1, LIR, k1, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 4: [k1, LIR, k3, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 6: [k1, LIR, k5, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 8: [k1, LIR, k7, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 10: [k1, LIR, k9, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 12: [k1, LIR, k11, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 14: [k1, LIR, k13, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 16: [k1, LIR, k15, LIL, k1] 4 times.
Rnd 18: [k1, LIR, k17, LIL, k1] 4 times.
BO.
Notice - When the lifted increases slant TOWARD the diagonals, the diagonal ridge is wider.