A combination of a new increase and a yarn over gives two new double increases. These are further additions to the family of central double increases: i.e. when we make three new stitches by working into one basic stitch. They have an almost invisible slit in the centre between two new stitches. Actually the size of the hole depends on when the central YO is made.
If the YO is made in the first row, following T-increase technique, the hole is hardly visible. I called it Yarn Over T-increase or YOT-increase (3). But if we postpone the YO until the next row, than we will have a very clear hole between two twins – Lace Twincrease (4). Both double increases are very beautiful and can be used to create endless symmetrical Lace patterns. If you would like to try these new increases, have a look at this new stitch pattern – Lace Chain, published in the next article.
They both can be worked stacked one over another, but because of different number of row repeats, one is suitable for raglan lines, and the other is better for shawl increases: see below.
How to work YOT-increase – Double increase
The YOT-increase is a variation of T-increase. Instead of a central stitch we work a yarn over. The YOT-increase is made in three steps: in the first row, we create an elongated stitch by working “a double wrap”, and in the next row we make two new sts and YO. In the third row we work the YO as an open lace increase. YOT-increase has knit and purl variations.
YOT-increase made on the knit row
- Row 1 (WS): purl up to the stitch where the increase ought to be made, p1dw, complete the row
- Row 2 (RS): knit up to the doubled wrapped stitch, kYOTin, complete the row
- Row 3: purl all sts, purl YO as an open stitch to make a hole
YOT-increase made on the purl row
- Row 1 (RS): knit up to the stitch where the increase ought be made, k1dw, complete the row
- Row 2 (WS): purl up to the doubled wrapped stitch, pYOTin, complete the row
- Row 3: knit all sts, knit YO as an open stitch to make a hole
Abbreviations
- p1dw – p1 with double wrap – purl the stitch wrapping the working yarn twice around the RN
- k1dw – k1 with double wrap – knit the stitch wrapping the working yarn twice around the RN
- kYOTin – to unravel the double wrapped st (dwst) slip it purlwise, wind long loop around the LN from front to back, work the first knit st from this position and drop the first loop off the LN, make one yarn over, work the second knit st by inserting RN into the second loop as usual – knitwise, and off the needle
- pYOTin – bring yarn to the front, slip the dwst knitwise and unravel the wraps, wind the long loop around the LN from back to front, work the first purl st from this position and drop the first loop off the LN, make one yarn over, work the second purl st by purling the second loop through the back loop (ptbl)
- YO – yarn over
How to work Lace Twincrease
Lace Twincrease is simply a combination of a basic Twincrease and a yarn over. After we have created two new stitches, we separate them with a yarn over in the next row. Because we postponed the YO and made it in the second row, we will have a very clear hole between two twins – Lace Twincrease.
Lace Twincrease is made in four steps: in the first row we create an elongated stitch by working “a double wrap”. In the next row we make two new stitches out of this long stitch – this is Twincrease. In the third row we place one yarn over between two new sts. In the fourth row we work the YO as an open lace increase. It has knit and purl variations.
Lace Twincrease made on the knit row
- Row 1 (WS): purl up to the stitch where the increase ought to be made, p1dw, complete
- Row 2 (RS): knit up to the doubled wrapped stitch, kTwin, complete the row
- Row 3 (WS): purl up to the increase and make one yarn over between the two sts: p1, YO, p1, complete the row
- Row 4 (RS): knit all sts, including YO which is worked as open stitch to create a hole
Lace Twincrease made on the purl row
- Row 1 (RS): knit up to the stitch where the increase ought be made, k1dw, complete the
- Row 2 (WS): purl up to the doubled wrapped stitch, pTwin, complete the row
- Row 3 (RS): knit up to the increase and make one yarn over between the two sts: k1, YO, k1, complete the row
- Row 4 (WS): purl all sts, including YO which is worked as open stitch to create a hole
Abbreviations
- p1dw – p1 with double wrap – purl the stitch wrapping the working yarn twice around the RN
- k1dw – k1 with double wrap – knit the stitch wrapping the working yarn twice around the RN
- kTwin – to unravel the double wrapped st (dwst) slip it purlwise, wind long loop around the LN from front to back, work the first knit st from this position and drop the first loop off the LN, work the second knit st inserting RN into the second loop as usual – knitwise, and off the needle
- pTwin – bring yarn to the front, slip the dwst knitwise and unravel the wraps, wind the long loop around the LN from back to front, work the first purl st from this position and drop the first loop off the LN, work the second purl st by purling the second loop through the back loop (ptbl)
- YO – yarn over
Please watch the detailed video showing how to work both increases, knit and purl variations.
The YOT-increase and the Lace Twincrease video is on YouTube and on Vimeo.
Assia Brill 