Knitting Tool
Increase & Decrease Assistant
Skip complex mental math in the middle of your knitting. Get a precise, symmetrical knitting plan in one click.
How to use the calculator
- 1 Current stitches
Count the stitches currently on your needle before making adjustments.
- 2 Target stitches
Enter the final stitch count your pattern specifies you need to reach.
- 3 Get pattern plan
Follow the generated repeat instructions for an even, balanced result.
Result: Increase/Decrease
Increase/Decrease Assistant
Get exact step-by-step instructions on how to distribute knitting increases or decreases evenly across your row. Stop doing the tricky knitting math yourself.
A Norwegian version of this page is available on Strikketips.no
Why use an increase and decrease calculator?
Whether designing your own patterns or following a pattern that requires adjustments, evenly distributing increases and decreases is essential for a well-fitting, polished result. Our knitting increase and decrease assistant takes the headache out of the math, giving you a clean, repeatable instruction row by row.
Even shaping is especially critical when knitting in the round. Uneven intervals can cause awkward bunching near the start of the round and affect the drape of your finished sweater.
How to calculate shaping intervals manually
If you want to understand the calculations behind even shaping, here is the formula:
Formula for even increases
Interval = Current stitch count ÷ Number of increases needed
Example: Sleeve increases
Suppose you currently have 40 stitches on the sleeve, and need to increase to 60 stitches (an addition of 20 stitches):
- Calculate the interval: 40 stitches ÷ 20 increases = 2
- This means: Increase after every 2nd stitch
- In practice: Knit 1 stitch, increase 1 stitch, repeat 20 times to end of round
Formula for even decreases
Interval = Current stitch count ÷ Number of decreases needed
Example: Decreasing after ribbing
Suppose you have 100 stitches after the brim, and need to decrease to 80 stitches (decrease 20 stitches):
- Calculate the interval: 100 stitches ÷ 20 decreases = 5
- This means: Decrease every 5th stitch
- In practice: Knit 3 stitches, knit 2 together (k2tog), repeat around
If the division leaves a remainder (for example, 100 stitches ÷ 17 increases = 5.88), the remaining stitches must be distributed smoothly across the round. Our calculator handles this remainder distribution automatically!
Common increase methods
The increase technique you choose impacts how visible the change looks:
- M1R (Make One Right): Lift the bar between stitches from back to front, then knit into the front loop. Leans to the right.
- M1L (Make One Left): Lift the bar between stitches from front to back, then knit into the back loop. Leans to the left.
- KFB (Knit Front and Back): Knit into the front of the stitch, and without dropping it, knit into the back. Creates a small purl bump.
- Yarn Over (YO): Creates an open eyelet hole, often used in lace or decorative raglan lines.
Common decrease methods
- K2tog (Knit 2 Together): A basic right-leaning single decrease.
- SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit): Slip two stitches knitwise one at a time, insert left needle through the fronts and knit together. A clean left-leaning decrease.
- SKP (Slip 1, Knit 1, Pass Slipped Stitch Over): Another left-leaning decrease alternative.
What does 'increase evenly' mean?
It means distributing increases with an equal number of stitches between each increase across the entire round or row. This ensures a symmetrical, professional result.
How do I make the most invisible increase?
There are several methods, but 'M1R' (make one right) and 'M1L' (make one left) are the most popular for creating almost invisible, directional increases.