Knitting increase

[Purlesque]

In a pattern it says to M1 in the middle of every row.
I went online to see videos of how to M1 and everything seemed over complicated with M1L or M1R etc, I know they give a slanting effect but I can't find a simple M1 instruction, can I just kfb instead?

[MoaningMingeWhingesAgain]

kfb will often leave a funny bar that may be noticeable.

Does the pattern say what M1 means for that pattern ? They usually do. If it doesn't specify, I do a M1L.

What pattern?

[Purlesque]

Right, I did wonder if m1l would do.
Thanks

[Purlesque]

A pig I saw in Let's knit magazine.

[Dutchoma]

I'd just pick up the loop between the two stitches and knit it through the back of the loop to avoid making a hole.

[Purlesque]

I tried doing it both ways and a hole appeared :(

[Dutchoma]

Just pick up the loop between the two stitches with the right hand needle, then transfer it to the left hand needle and knit into the back of it. Should not be a hole.

[fossil971]

I've started doing a Yarn over as an increase if I have a lot of them.
The next row I knit into the back of it to put the twist in and prevent there being a hole and then it is basically a M1. It works in patterns without too much fancy stuff. Possibly find a picture/video of knitting into the back of the stitch if you aren't familiar.

I got the idea from an Elizabeth Zimmermann book where she says "the simplest increase is just a firm backwards loop over the needle"

chapter and verse!

[Purlesque]

Great tips, thanks