Broaching Stitch in Knitting: A Comprehensive Guide
There are two meanings of the term "broaching stitch".
First Meaning: Adding a Broaching Stitch
The first meaning of this term symbolizes a small part of yarn, which is located between two neighboring stitches. You can see it better if your work is located on two knitting needles. The broaching is located between edging stitches, one of which is on the left-hand needle and another on the right-hand needle.
When the descriptions of work say that you need to add one broaching chain, catch this part of work with the right-hand needle and make a new stitch with its help, extending the working yarn inside the ball.Second Meaning: Decreasing Stitches
The second meaning greatly differs from the first. If, by means of the previous broaching, the quantity of stitches increases, by using the second way of broaching you can decrease the number of stitches. This method is used in several different situations while knitting. It's best seen while binding off the stitches of the last row of work in a classic way. In this case, everything depends on the quantity of stitches you need to decrease.
Decreasing a Single Stitch
If it's just one stitch, you simply need to place it from the left-hand to the right-hand needle.
Decreasing Multiple Stitches
When you need to decrease more stitches, you need to transfer them in the required quantity. The transfer of stitches is made without knitting them. Then, knit the next knit stitch or purl, depending on the ornament. Draw the last knitting stitch through the slipped stitch or chains. Using this method, you can decrease the needed quantity of stitches.
Common Techniques Using Broaching Stitch
One wide-spread technique of decreasing stitches is forming the armholes or reglan sleeves. This method is executed from the right side of your work. You can make a decline either to the left or right side.
Left Decline Technique
To perform a left decline, you should slip the first stitch. Then, make a knit stitch and draw it through the first slipped stitch.
Right Decline Technique
For decreasing the quantity of stitches with a right decline, start knitting with the first knit stitch. Then, slip the second stitch and place both stitches on the left-hand needle. Draw the first stitch through the second and leave it on the right-hand needle.