Knitting Increases & Decrease - Why, how & when

Name: Knitting Increases & Decrease - Why, how & when
Rating: 4.7 (31 reviews)

A true masterclass for knitters who want to take their increases and decreases to the next level

Created byNorman Schwarze

Last updated 12/2025

English

What you'll learn

How increases & decreases REALLY work.
How to knit neat increases and decreases without holes or sloppy lines
A detailed look at more than 15 techniques, how to knit them, and their results (+ alternative ways to knit them)
Well over 10 patterns/repeats for the most common use cases (raglan increases, hats, socks, etc)
Hands-on examples: When best to use which increase or decrease and WHY
The mechanics behind increases & decreases and WHY some of them look create holes, etc and others don't
My secret little tips and tricks for neater results

Course content

4 sections • 12 lectures • 2h 12m total length

Einführung4:11
I set the goals for the course, sketch the curriculum, and talk about the yarn & materials you need for this course
Before you start1:10
Everything you need to prepare before you can start with the course

How decreases work6:33
How decreases truly work. The mechanics behind it, how lean is defined, and how they are related to bind-offs.
Left- and right leaning decreases19:58
How to knit the most common left- and right leaning decreases in knitting
Knit swatches to find out the neatest left-leaning decrease for you.
Double decreases9:50
How to knit different double decreases, and how you can define their lean.
Invent your own decrease
Decreases: Use cases and swatches23:45
Hands-on advice and repeats that work for the most common use cases in knitting, so you can achieve neat decrease lines.
Practise at least two of the examples

The first 5 increases - and how they are related to cast-ons14:45
A close-up look at the first set of increases every beginner learns - with a twist. The clear aim here is to make you understand how they actually work and how they are related.
Test out the different "cast-on increases"
Left or right leaning?
5 more increases - the power of lifting8:48
A close-up look at lifted increases and how they work. Once more, the true focus of this lesson is to help you understand how these increases are related to each other and how they actually work.
The fundamental difference between Increases and decreases4:44
Knit and purl stitches might be more or less mirrored, but an increase is not a mirrored decrease. This lesson takes a close look at the differences and why those differences are so important to know.
Double increases9:33
How to knit the most common double increases and how to "cheat" to achieve neater results without actually knitting a true double increase.
Increases: Use cases and swatches15:07
A practical guide to applying all the increases you've learned so far. Solutions for neat raglan increase lines, hats done in ribbing, shawls, and even garter stitch.
Practise at least two of the examples

Requirements

This course is geared towards intermediate knitters who know the basic stitches and can follow simple patterns
You will need a yarn with a nice stitch definition (e.g. cotton or superwash yarn) and some knitting needles to knit swatches

Description

Are you dissatisfied with your increases or decreases? No matter if it's raglan increases, the gusset of your socks, or the decreases for a hat in 2x2 ribbing, this course will teach hands-on solutions for common knitting issues that truly work.

Together, we will learn well over 20 different techniques that you can use to improve the look and feel of your finished garments.

This course will help you understand how increases and decreases truly work. Practical examples and super close-up pictures will show you exactly why certain increases create holes and why others don't, or why left-leaning decreases sometimes look sloppy. Together, we will work out practical solutions for all these issues.

While I believe theory is important, the second half of this course focuses on knitting swatches together. That's why this course includes a tech-edited PDF with patterns for my personal favorite ways to increase or decrease. There are neat examples for raglan increase or decrease lines, solutions for shawls with a central increase or decrease, and detailed suggestions on how to achieve super neat increases & decreases for 1x1 or 2x2 rib stitches.

This course condenses 35 years of my personal knitting experience into one succinct curriculum. The emphasis is on the techniques that I use in my own private knitting on a daily basis, and work without making a big fuss about it.

Who this course is for:

Intermediate knitters who want to improve the look and feel of their finished garments.
All knitters who are dissatified with their increase or decrease lines
All techniques will be shown the continental way

Knitting Increases & Decrease - Why, how & when

What you'll learn

Explore related topics

Course content

Einführung2 lectures • 5min

Decreases4 lectures • 1hr

Increases5 lectures • 53min

Final words1 lecture • 3min

Requirements

Description

Who this course is for: