What this calculator does
"Increase evenly across the row" is one of the most common instructions in knitting and crochet patterns, and one of the least explained. You need to split the row into equal sections and put one increase or decrease between them. When the numbers don't divide neatly, you need to decide where the extra stitches go. This calculator does that and writes the result as a pattern line you can follow.
How to use it
- Count the stitches on your needle.
- Enter how many to increase or decrease.
- Choose flat or in the round.
- Work the instruction in the result. Brackets mean repeat: [K5, M1] 4 times means knit 5 then make 1, four times in a row.
Examples
Decreasing a hat crown: 96 stitches in the round, decrease 8: [K10, K2tog] 8 times. You end with 88 stitches.
Increasing after ribbing: 50 stitches flat, increase 6: [K7, M1] 3 times, K8, M1, [K7, M1] 2 times, K7. You end with 56 stitches.
The math
plain stitches = stitches (increase) or stitches − 2 × decreases
sections = shaping + 1 (flat) or shaping (round)
each section ≈ plain ÷ sections; leftovers go to the middle
Mark it. For long rows, put a stitch marker after each repeat as you go. If you end up a stitch off, you only need to recount one section.
Questions people ask
Why is flat different from in the round?
Worked flat, you don’t want shaping right at the edge, so the stitches are split into one more section than the number of increases or decreases. In the round there are no edges, so the stitches split into exactly that many sections.
Why does a decrease use two stitches?
K2tog (knit two together) turns two stitches into one. So decreasing 8 stitches uses 16 stitches in the decreases, and only the rest are plain knits.
Which increase should I use?
Any one-stitch increase works where it says M1: M1L, M1R, a lifted increase or a yarn over if you want a hole. For crochet, work 2 stitches into the same stitch.
What if the numbers do not divide evenly?
The calculator spreads the extra stitches toward the middle of the row, so the sections differ by one stitch at most and the shaping still looks even.