There are several ways to increase, and each method adds extra stitches to the row unless they are paired with compensating A method of casting on that is created by looping yarn around itself decreases. Increasing is used whenever a knitted piece needs to be wider, such as sleeve shaping. One of the easiest and most common increases is to Easiest and most common knit increase. Done by knitting into the front and back of a stitch. knit into the front and back of a stitch (kfb). If a pattern does not give instructions for the type of increase to use, this is a good choice. Another common, although more difficult, increase is the A form of increasing in knitting in which you work into the strand between two stitches. This creates a stitch in between two stitches, whereas other increases make two stitches from one. Make 1 (M1). The M1 increase creates a new stitch by itself, without going into the previous stitch. The yarn over is third type of increase. Often used in lace knitting, it creates small holes (eyelets) in the fabric.