m1 vs. yo—Holey Increases: The Dreaming of Spring Scarf uses a m1 knitted through the front loop for its open stitch. To achieve the scarf's delicate look, be sure to use the increase as called for in the pattern, or experiment to find your favorite method.
m1: (make 1) Insert LH needle under horizontal strand between st just worked and next st, from the front to the back, knit through the back loop (1 st increased). In a lace or eyelet stitch pattern, you can make the open stitches (formed by increases) in one of two ways: You can work a m1 (make 1) or a yo (yarn over). A m1 is made by inserting the LH needle, from front to back, under the horizontal strand between the stitch just worked on the RH needle and next stitch waiting on the LH needle. You can work the strand through the front loop (this forms an eyelet) or through the back loop (this twists the stitch so that no hole is formed). When a m1 is worked through the front loop, a strand that is already part of the piece is pulled up and used to make another stitch. While this pulls the fabric slightly and forms a hole, the hole is not as large as the one formed by a yo.
yo: Yarn over (1 st increased). A yo is worked by bringing the yarn over the needle between stitches, a maneuver that forms an open stitch—about the diameter of the needle you’re using. Like a m1, a yo places a new stitch between two columns of stitches which causes the stitches on either side to spread apart. In lace and other stitch patterns that use increases, the m1 or yo are paired with a decrease somewhere else in the pattern.
Try out m1's or yo's in a stitch pattern: Here are some free patterns where you can try out m1's or yo's in a stitch pattern: • Dreaming of Spring Scarf • Princess Lace Panel Cardi • Cotton Bam Boo Little Shell Top • Provence Summer Breeze Headband • Posh Wedding Shrug • Vine Lace Belt and Cuffs • Interlude Lace Wrap
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