Cast-on calculator

Find how many stitches to cast on, or how many chains to make, for the width you want. Works for scarves, hats, blankets and any stitch pattern repeat.

Updated

Craft
Units
Worked

Measure the stitches across your swatch in the pattern stitch. The gauge calculator can work it out from your swatch.

Cast on

– stitches

 

 

Exact figure
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Fewer stitches
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More stitches
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How the cast-on calculator works

Stitches to cast on = width × stitches per inch (or per cm). The raw figure is then rounded to the nearest count that fits your stitch pattern. A 2×2 rib worked flat needs a multiple of 4 plus 2, so it starts and ends with two knit stitches. In the round it needs just a multiple of 4. Edge stitches, if you add them, go outside the pattern on both sides.

For crochet, the foundation chain is the stitch count plus a turning chain: 1 for single crochet, 2 for half double and 3 for double. You work the first stitch into the chain after the turning chain, so the turning chain is not counted as a stitch. Patterns differ on this, so if yours says the turning chain counts as a stitch, follow the pattern.

Tips

  • Swatch in the pattern stitch. Rib, cables and colourwork all have different gauges from stockinette.
  • Long-tail cast on? Allow about 1 in (2.5 cm) of tail per stitch in worsted, a little more for bulky yarn.
  • Counting a long cast-on is easier with a stitch marker every 20 or 50 stitches.

Common questions

How many stitches do I cast on for a scarf?
Multiply the width you want by your gauge. For a 7 in (18 cm) scarf in worsted at 20 stitches per 4 in, that is 7 × 5 = 35 stitches. For ribbing or seed stitch, adjust to the pattern multiple, which the calculator does for you.
How many stitches do I cast on for a hat?
Use the finished hat circumference, not the head size. An adult medium beanie is about 21.5 in (55 cm) around. At 20 stitches per 4 in, that is about 108 stitches; for 2×2 rib, round to a multiple of 4.
How many stitches for a blanket?
A 50 in (127 cm) throw at 16 stitches per 4 in needs 200 stitches. That is a lot for straight needles, so use a long circular needle and work back and forth.
Why does my knitting come out a different width?
Gauge. The calculator is only as good as the stitches-per-inch figure you give it. Measure a washed swatch in the same stitch pattern. Ribbing and cables pull in, so a stockinette gauge will give too few stitches for them.
What is a stitch multiple?
Patterns that repeat across the row need a stitch count that fits the repeat. "Multiple of 4 plus 2" means any number you get by adding 2 to a multiple of 4: 38, 42, 46 and so on.
Gauge calculatorWork out your gauge from a swatchSize chartsStandard widths and circumferencesYarn quantity calculatorHow much yarn for the project