That Crazy Starmore Increase

jody

I’ve tried so many times to explain this increase in emails. Since I have some extra time this week I thought I’d take a few pics instead.
This increase — the centered double increase — was first written about in Starmore’s Aran Knitting. She uses it in other arans as well, and you’ll see it in many designers’ patterns now. Jenna Wilson’s Rogue and Jodi Green’s Mariah both use this increase.
Here’s my attempt to explain it. I hope it’s helpful to some of you!
note: all images are clickable to bring up a larger size.


Asinc1

First, knit into the back of the stitch AND LEAVE IT ON THE LEFT HAND NEEDLE.


Asinc2

Now, knit into the front of the stitch and slip the stitch off your left hand needle. You have now made 2 stitches. Just one more to go!


Asinc3_1

This next step is the hardest — but it’s really not hard. If you look closely right in between the 2 stitches you just made you’ll see a strand of yarn that’s going vertical between the two. It’s actually the left leg of the stitch you just knit into in the steps above. I’ve drawn it in red — click to enlarge and you’ll see.


Asinc4

Here’s the stitch picked up with my cable needle. I promise if you look you’ll see it!


Asinc5

Now, take that strand and place it on your left hand needle.Knit into the front of the stitch (the way you would normally knit a stitch). You may struggle with this a bit, and you might find it easier to pull on the stitch a bit to stretch it first. Knitting this third stitch should be a little bit difficult though — that means it will be tight and not form any holes.


Asinc6

After knitting it slip the stitch off your left hand needle and you’re done! You’ve made three stitches out of one!

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18 thoughts on “That Crazy Starmore Increase”

  5. Thanks so much for confirming for me that this “strand” is actually the leg of one of the stitches. I’ve just recently started Rogue, and had no problem seeing what I was supposed to pick up and knit, but it really bugged me that the directions seemed *to me* to indicate that this was a totally independent thread, and not part of one of the stitches — which it obviously was.
    I’m so glad to see confirmation that I’m not just out of my mind!
    Thanks for taking time to do this!
    –Carrie

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