Knitting Increase Calculator

Reviewed by David Chen, CFA Professional Textile Analyst & Math Specialist

Effortlessly plan your knitting projects with our precise Knitting Increase Calculator. Whether you’re shaping a sweater or a shawl, this tool ensures your stitches are spaced perfectly for a professional finish.

Current Number of Stitches:

Please enter a valid number of stitches.

Stitches to Increase:

Please enter a valid increase count.

Calculated Knitting Pattern:

—

Knitting Increase Calculator Formula:

Gap = Current Stitches / (Increases + 1)
Pattern = Knit (Gap), M1 (Repeat)

Reference: Susanna Winter: Increasing Stitches Evenly, Purl Soho Knitting Resources.

Variables:

Current Stitches: The total number of stitches currently on your needle before the increase row.
Stitches to Increase: The specific number of new stitches you need to add according to your pattern.
Gap: The calculated interval (number of stitches to knit) between each increase.

Related Calculators:

Knitting Decrease Calculator – For tapering sleeves or hats.
Yarn Requirement Estimator – Calculate how much wool you need.
Knitting Gauge Converter – Adjust patterns for different needle sizes.
Stitch Count Projector – Predict final dimensions of your work.

What is Knitting Increase Calculator?

A knitting increase calculator is a mathematical tool designed for knitters to determine how many stitches to work between “Make 1” (M1) or “Knit Front and Back” (KFB) operations. Increasing stitches manually can often lead to uneven spacing, which affects the drape and visual symmetry of the garment.

By using a calculator, you ensure that the extra volume is distributed mathematically across the row. This is crucial for professional garment construction, especially in top-down sweaters or circular yokes where precise geometric expansion is required.

How to Calculate Knitting Increases (Example):

Identify your current stitches (e.g., 40).
Identify target increases (e.g., 10).
Divide the total stitches by the number of increases + 1 (40 / 11 = 3.63).
Since you can’t knit fractional stitches, distribute the remainder across the row.
Final Pattern: Knit 4, Increase 1 (repeated 10 times, leaving 0-1 stitches at the end).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ):

What is the difference between M1R and M1L? M1R (Make 1 Right) leans to the right, while M1L (Make 1 Left) leans to the left. Using them symmetrically creates better visual lines.

Should I increase at the very edge? Usually, it’s better to knit at least one stitch from the edge before increasing to keep your seams tidy.

What if the math doesn’t divide evenly? Our calculator distributes the “extra” stitches so the increases remain as centered as possible.

Can I use this for crochet? Yes, the logic of spacing increases evenly applies to both knitting and crochet stitches.