How it works
The calculator works out how many plain stitches go between each increase or decrease, then spreads any leftover stitches one at a time so no two gaps differ by more than one stitch.
Plain stitches = stitches now − (stitches used by each shaping stitch × number of changes)
Gaps = changes + 1 when flat, = changes in the round
Each gap = plain ÷ gaps; the remainder gets 1 extra stitch per gap
Each kind of shaping uses a different number of stitches from the row below:
- Knit increase (M1): uses none; it is made between stitches.
- Crochet increase (2 sc in next st): uses one stitch and makes two.
- Decrease (K2tog or sc2tog): uses two stitches and makes one.
Flat vs round: worked flat, there is one more gap than there are increases, so the row starts and ends with plain stitches and no shaping lands on the selvage. In the round the work is a loop, so the gaps and shaping stitches alternate all the way round.
Instructions use brackets, so [K5, M1] 7 times means work “K5, M1” seven times in total. If you like kfb as your increase, swap it for M1, but remember kfb uses up a stitch, like the crochet increase.
Worked example
Increasing 7 stitches across a flat row of 45: 45 ÷ 8 gaps = 5 with 5 left over, so five gaps get 6 stitches and three get 5. That gives [K6, M1] 5 times, [K5, M1] 2 times, K5, ending with 52 stitches.
Last checked October 2026 against standard quilting and knitting math. Found a mistake? Tell us and we’ll fix it.