Increase & Decrease Evenly Calculator (Knitting and Crochet)
Spread increases or decreases evenly across a row or round in knitting or crochet: how many stitches to work between each one, how many times to repeat, and your new stitch count.
How it works
sections = changes (in the round) or changes + 1 (flat) · base = ⌊stitches ÷ sections⌋, remainder r = stitches mod sections · r sections of base + 1 stitches and the rest of base stitches · increase: work the section, then increase 1 · decrease: work section − 2, then work 2 together
To increase or decrease evenly you divide the stitches into equal sections and put one change at the end of each. In the round there is one section per change; when working flat there is one extra section so the row starts and ends with plain stitches instead of a shaping stitch at the edge. When the stitches do not divide exactly, some sections get one extra stitch — work the longer ones first (or alternate them) and nobody will see the difference. The same maths works for knitting (M1, kfb, k2tog) and crochet (2 sc in one stitch, sc2tog).
Worked example
You have 80 stitches in the round and need 12 more. 80 ÷ 12 = 6 remainder 8, so work "work 7, increase 1" 8 times and "work 6, increase 1" 4 times (8 × 7 + 4 × 6 = 80). You end with 92 stitches.
Sources: Craft Yarn Council — Knitting abbreviations · Craft Yarn Council — Crochet abbreviations
Frequently asked questions
How do I increase evenly across a row?
Divide your stitches by the number of increases plus one (for flat rows) or by the number of increases (in the round). The answer is how many stitches to work between increases; spread any remainder by adding one extra stitch to some sections.
Why is flat knitting divided by increases + 1?
So the first and last stitches of the row are plain. Increasing in the edge stitch makes seams and pick-ups messier, and a row with k increases naturally has k + 1 gaps between and around them.
Which increase should I use?
Make 1 (M1L/M1R) or a lifted increase is nearly invisible; knit front and back (kfb) leaves a small bar; a yarn over makes a decorative hole. In crochet work 2 stitches into one stitch.
How do I decrease evenly?
Use the same sections but work the last two stitches of each section together (k2tog, ssk or sc2tog). The calculator lists how many plain stitches to work before each decrease.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.