The abbreviation inc means increasing. This process is the opposite of decreasing technique. However, both techniques add shape to your work. If your pattern does not specify how many stitches you need to increase, here is an option. Increase 1 stitch Insert your right-hand needle on to your first stitch. Knit a stitch, but do not drop the left stitch yet. Bring your needle behind your left-hand needle. Then, knit through the back of that same stitch.