Knitting increase calculator
This knitting increase calculator spaces new stitches evenly across your round: with 60 stitches and 10 increases you knit 6 stitches and make one, 10 times. It writes out the pattern for increases and decreases, in the round or worked flat in rows.
Example: Increase or decrease: Increase · Stitches on the needle 60 · Number of increases or decreases 10 · Working: In the round → Pattern: (K6, M1) × 10. Source: Craft Yarn Council, Standards & Guidelines – Knitting Abbreviations: k2tog „single right-leaning decrease“, M1 and kfb „single knit increase“ (read 10.10.2026). Updated: .
How it is calculated
Spacing = plain stitches ÷ sections, with the remainder spread over some of the sections. For increases, all current stitches are knitted plain; in the round there are as many sections as increases, in rows one more, so the start and end of the row stay free. For decreases, each k2tog uses 2 stitches, so the plain stitches are stitches − 2 × decreases. It is a division with remainder: 100 stitches over 12 sections is 8 remainder 4, so 4 sections of 9 and 8 sections of 8 stitches (4 × 9 + 8 × 8 = 100).
Increase examples
| Stitches | Increases | Stitches after | Spacing in the round | Spacing in rows |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 10 | 70 | 6 | 5 and 6 |
| 72 | 8 | 80 | 9 | 8 |
| 100 | 12 | 112 | 8 and 9 | 7 and 8 |
| 48 | 5 | 53 | 9 and 10 | 8 |
Worked flat, 60 stitches with 10 increases read: K6, (M1, K6) × 4, (M1, K5) × 6 – that is 5 × 6 + 6 × 5 = 60 plain stitches and 70 on the needle afterwards.
Decreasing evenly
80 stitches in the round with 8 decreases leave 80 − 16 = 64 plain stitches: (K8, k2tog) × 8, giving 72 stitches. Worked flat, the 64 stitches are spread over 9 sections: K8, (k2tog, K7) × 8.
Abbreviations
- M1 (make one) and kfb (knit into the front and back) are both listed by the Craft Yarn Council as a single knit increase: one new stitch.
- k2tog (knit 2 together) is a single right-leaning decrease: 2 stitches become 1. For a left-leaning look use the matching left-leaning decrease of your pattern.
- Selvedge stitches are best left out of the count and added back at both ends.
To work out how many stitches a width needs, use the knitting gauge calculator; other ratios are quick with the proportion calculator.
Frequently asked questions
How do I increase evenly across a row?
Divide the stitches by the number of increases plus 1. 60 stitches and 10 increases worked flat: K6, (M1, K6) × 4, (M1, K5) × 6.
How do I increase evenly in the round?
Divide the stitches by the number of increases. 60 stitches and 10 increases: (K6, M1) × 10, giving 70 stitches.
What do I do with the remainder?
Give one extra stitch to as many sections as the remainder. 100 stitches over 12 sections: 4 sections of 9 and 8 of 8.
How do I decrease evenly?
Each k2tog uses 2 stitches. 80 stitches and 8 decreases in the round: (K8, k2tog) × 8, leaving 72 stitches.
Should I count selvedge stitches?
Better not: take them off first, spread the shaping over the rest and keep the selvedge stitches at both ends.
Sources and legal basis
- Craft Yarn Council, Standards & Guidelines – Knitting Abbreviations: k2tog „single right-leaning decrease“, M1 and kfb „single knit increase“ (read 10.10.2026)
- OpenStax, Prealgebra 2e, 1.5 Divide Whole Numbers: division with remainder (read 10.10.2026)
As of: · Editorial policy
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