Increase & decrease evenly calculator
Enter the stitches you have and the stitches you want. Get the whole row written out, ready to follow.
Updated
How it works
Each increase or decrease uses some of the stitches on your needle. A knit M1 uses none, a crochet increase uses one (you work two stitches into it), and a decrease uses two. The stitches left over are shared out between the increases or decreases, as evenly as they go.
In the round, the pattern simply repeats. Worked flat, the first group is split between the start and end of the row. That keeps the shaping away from the edges, where it would get lost in the seam or selvedge.
Reading the instructions
"(k10, M1) 5 times" means work k10, M1 five times in a row. Stitch markers every repeat make it easy to check your count before you start the next row.
Common questions
How do I increase evenly across a row?
Divide the stitches you have by the number of increases to find the spacing, then work an increase after each group. Worked flat, split the first group across the two ends so no increase sits at the edge. The calculator writes the row out for you.
What does "decrease evenly across the row" mean?
Work a set number of decreases spaced as evenly as possible, so the fabric narrows smoothly with no bunching. Each k2tog or sc2tog uses 2 stitches and leaves 1.
Which increase should I use?
M1 (make one) is the least visible because it adds a stitch between two existing stitches. A yarn over leaves a small hole, which is fine in lace. kfb works into a stitch, so it uses up a stitch and shifts the spacing; if you prefer it, use the crochet-style count (each increase uses one stitch).
What if the numbers do not divide evenly?
Some gaps get one extra stitch. The calculator spreads those extra stitches across the row so the shaping still looks even, for example alternating k10 and k11.