How to Knit A Right Lifted Increase with Video Tutorial!

Lifted increases are a knitter's secret weapon for minimal, clean and professional knitted increases! Learning how to knit a right lifted increase as well as how to work the purl stitch lifted increase is a technique that you won't regret adding to your knitting skill set!

This post will cover:

• What Is a Lifted Increase?

• When not to use a Lifted Increase in Knitting

• How to Knit a Right Lifted Increase (RLI)

• How to Work a Right Lifted PURL Increase (RLIp / RLPI)

  
  

Want to see more about the most common increases in knitting?

Click here to read my mega-guide to increasing in knitting, complete with 'how-to's, tips, and visuals to help you shape with confidence.

What Is a Lifted Increase?

A lifted increase works by “lifting” a stitch from a previous row and knitting into it. Instead of making a new loop between stitches (as with a Make 1), you pull up the leg of an existing stitch and knit into it.

This creates a new stitch that looks nearly invisible so it blends perfectly into the surrounding stitches.

When not to use a Lifted Increase in Knitting

Because the lifted stitch is pulled from a previous row, it slightly tightens the fabric. If you use lifted increases on consecutive rows, the tension can distort your knitting. To avoid this, space lifted increases every 3–4 rows, not every other row.

If you need to increase more frequently, try the Make 1 (M1) method instead, it’s much more practical for more closely-spaced increases without tension issues.

How to Knit a Right Lifted Increase (RLI)

1. Look at the next stitch on your left needle. This is the stitch you’re about to knit.

2. Identify the stitch one row below it. You’ll see it forms a small “V” shape.

3. Insert the right-hand needle from back to front into the right leg/side of that “V.”

4. Lift this leg onto your left needle, making sure it isn’t twisted.

5. Knit into this lifted stitch as you normally would.

6. Then knit the next stitch as usual.

That’s it. You’ve just completed a Right Lifted Increase!

Remember: This increase leans slightly to the right. If you want the left leaning equivalent, click here!

How to Work a Right Lifted PURL Increase (RLIp / RLPI)

If you are increasing where you have purl stitches, you can use the RLIp as follows:

Before you start: Keep or move your yarn in front (as you do when purling).

1. Look at the next stitch on your left needle (the one you’re about to purl).

2. Directly below it (one row down), find the purl bump of the stitch from the previous row.

3. Use your right-hand needle and lift that stitch up from below onto the left-hand needle.

4. Purl this lifted stitch through the back of the stitch, and slip it off the needle.

5. Now purl the original next stitch (the one that was sitting on the left needle before you lifted the loop).

Congrats! You’ve made one new purl stitch. This stitch will lean slightly rightwards like it's knit equivalent!

Eager to learn more knitting techniques? Check out these posts:

• How to Decrease in Knitting: An Essential Beginner’s Guide

• How to do the Long-Tail Cast On: A Step-by-Step, Beginner-Friendly Guide

• Knitting Bind Off: Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners