M1T: Make one towards. This increase leaves the working yarn "toward" you, on the front side of the work. It is like a mirror-version of the backward loop cast on. It is best used when your next stitch needs to be purl, because your yarn will be on the correct side of the work.
In the swatch image above, you can see the M1T increases on the left side of the swatch. Because this was worked in plain stockinette, the M1T increases have extra bars of yarn in front of the stitches. This is caused by moving the working yarn to the back, after the increase stitch is made. So, in stockinette, the M1T looks a little lumpy.
This increase can leave small holes in the fabric if not tensioned properly. Be sure you are pulling your stitches taut, but not tight, to help avoid those holes.
We also have video tutorials of the M1A and M1T available on our YouTube page, and a tutorial for Continental-style knitters, too!
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M1A
1. Knit up to the point in your project where you need to increase.
2. Drop the working yarn. With your right hand, create a twisted loop with the working end of the yarn on top.
3. Pinch the crossing point so you don't lose your loop. Place the loop over the right hand needle.
4. Using the tail, pull the stitch taut from the back side of the work. Ta-da! That's the M1A increase.
5. When done correctly, this is what the stitch looks like on the needle. There is a small twist, which keeps the stitch on the needle without creating a large loop, like a yarn over would.
6. Knit or purl this stitch according to your pattern when you come to it on the next row - it does not need any special steps after making the increase.
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M1T
1. Knit up to the point in your project where you need to increase. With the yarn over your pointer finger, curl your finger in to make a loop. The yarn connected to the work should cross over the yarn connected to the skein.
2. Keeping the loop on your finger, insert the tip of the right needle up and under the loop.
4. Then, being careful not to drop the loop off the needle, move the working yarn between the needles and to the front of the work.
5. Pull the yarn taut. And, there you go! You just did the M1T increase!
6. Similar to the M1A, this increase creates a twisted stitch on the needle. Here's what it looks like.
7. You are now ready to keep working your pattern! Because this increase ends with the yarn in front of you, we recommend using it when you are going to purl your next stitch.
