Lifted Increase (Right and Left)
The lifted increase (sometimes abbreviated LRI and LLI) is the most invisible increase in stockinette. It is made by knitting into the row below an existing stitch — adding a stitch with no visible disturbance of the surrounding fabric.
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Right lifted increase (RLI)
Insert the right needle into the right leg of the stitch one row below the next stitch on the left needle. Knit it. Then knit the next stitch on the left needle as normal. Result: an invisible right-leaning increase.
Left lifted increase (LLI)
Knit the next stitch on the left needle. Insert the left needle into the left leg of the stitch two rows below the stitch you just knit. Lift it onto the left needle and knit it. Result: an invisible left-leaning increase.
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Why it is invisible
The lifted increase reuses the legs of existing stitches one and two rows below, which means the new stitch shares yarn with the surrounding fabric. There is no eyelet, no twist, and no visible bump.
Limitations
Cannot be worked twice in the same place — needs at least three rows between consecutive lifted increases at the same column. Also harder to keep tension even than M1, so it benefits from blocking.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| LRI | lifted right increase |
| LLI | lifted left increase |
| k | knit |
Tips
- Use lifted increases for the most invisible raglan or sleeve cap shaping in stockinette.
- Cannot be worked on the cast-on row or on consecutive rows in the same column.
- For garter stitch, use M1L / M1R instead — the lifted increase disappears completely and is hard to track.
In depth
The lifted increase is mechanically a way of "using" the legs of existing stitches in the row below to form a new stitch. Because the new stitch is made from yarn already in the fabric, it produces no visible disturbance — the most invisible increase in common Western use.