Double Increase technique: (K1 P1 K1) in next stitch

This is a knitting technique that puts three stitches onto the new needle where there was only one stitch on the old needle. This is known as a double increase.

This is one of several methods of doing a double increase.

(K1. P1. K1) in next st.

This instruction is telling you to do three different things all in the next stitch – which means that you do not remove the stitch from the old needle (usually the left-hand needle) until after all three things are done.

This series of photos walks you through it step by step.

(K1. P1. K1) in next st: First Step

The first step, as shown in this photo, is to knit into the next stitch but leave that stitch on the holding needle. DO NOT drop the stitch from the old needle.

Note: the holding needle, or old needle, is the left needle in these photos. The working needle, or new needle, is the right needle.

Almost complete a Knit stitch - leave old stitch on old needle

Almost complete a Knit stitch - leave stitch on old needle

(K1. P1. K1) in next st: Second Step

Put the yarn to the front between the points of the needles in preparation for the next purl stitch.

Bring yarn to front in preparation for the Purl stitch

Now, PURL into that same stitch that is still on the holding needle but again leave that stitch on the holding needle. DO NOT drop the stitch from the holding needle.

Almost complete a Purl stitch - do not remove old stitch from old needle

Almost complete a Purl stitch - leave stitch on old needle

(K1. P1. K1) in next st: Third Step

Put the yarn to the back in preparation for the next knit stitch – again moving the yarn between the points of the needles.

Move yarn to back between the points of the needles

Now, KNIT into that same stitch that is still on the holding needle.

Knit again into that stitch that is on the old needle

Almost complete a Knit stitch - leave stitch on old needle

And finally drop the stitch from the holding needle.

Remove the stitch from the old needle

(K1. P1. K1) in next st: Completed

The K1P1K1-in-next-stitch is done.

In the photo, you can see that there are three stitches on the working needle (the right hand needle) coming out of one stitch from the previous row.

This sequence is a double increase.

K1P1K1-in-next-stitch is complete

Completed KPK-in-next-stitch

Comment

This little snippet of knitting instructions feels sort of like doing K1P1 ribbing. It might take a bit of time to get comfortable with switching the yarn between the front and the back so often.

But it is an easy way to get a double increase in knitting.

Try it.