The method
To change stitches evenly, divide the number of stitches by the number of changes. The answer is the length of each group of stitches that gets one increase or one decrease.
group length = stitches ÷ changes
Each group of L stitches is worked as L − 1 plain stitches plus one increase (for example a knit-front-and-back), or L − 2 plain stitches plus one k2tog, because a decrease uses two stitches. The calculator uses these groups.
When it does not divide evenly
Take the whole-number part of the answer as the shorter group length and use the next number up for the remainder. With 99 stitches and 8 increases, 99 ÷ 8 = 12 remainder 3, so you work 5 groups of 12 and 3 groups of 13 (5 × 12 + 3 × 13 = 99). Spread the three longer groups across the row.
Example
80 stitches and 8 increases: 80 ÷ 8 = 10, so work (knit 9, kfb) 8 times and finish with 88 stitches. For 8 decreases, work (knit 8, k2tog) 8 times to end with 72 stitches.
Tips
- In flat knitting, start the first group a few stitches in so no increase or decrease lands on the edge stitch.
- Place markers every group if you are worried about losing count.
- Crocheters can use the same numbers: replace "kfb" with two stitches in one, and "k2tog" with a single-crochet decrease.
Frequently asked questions
How do you increase evenly across a row?
Divide the stitches by the number of increases. That is the group length: work all but one stitch of each group plainly and increase in the last one.
What if the stitches do not divide evenly?
Use two group lengths, the rounded-down value and one more, and spread the longer groups across the row. For 99 stitches and 8 increases that is 5 groups of 12 and 3 groups of 13.
How do I decrease 12 stitches evenly over 100 stitches?
100 ÷ 12 = 8 remainder 4, so work 8 groups of 8 stitches (knit 6, k2tog) and 4 groups of 9 stitches (knit 7, k2tog), mixing them evenly. You end with 88 stitches.
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