| Calculating the exact number of rows between each increase or decrease when
knitting sleeves or other shaped pieces can sometimes be a bit 'hit and miss'.
In the example shown on the right, 36 stitches need to be increased each side and the increases spread evenly throughout 140 rows. |
|
The quick and easy method is to divide 140 by 36. This gives a result of 3.8888
rows. Not very practical to knit, so we probably interpret it as:
The problem now is that the shaping you wanted is not what you've got!! |
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Using the following method, the results will always be perfect and that's especially useful when you're designing your own sweaters.
Don't like maths? Try the FREE Magic Formula Calculator, instead!
Here we go with the maths ...
Step 1
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Divide the number of stitches to be increased/decreased each side into the
number of rows. From the diagram above, divide 140 by 36.
140 / 36 = 3 with a remainder of 32
Step 2
-
Subtract the remainder from the number of stitches required each side
36 - 32 = 4
Step 3
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Add 1 to the whole number of rows from Step 1
3 + 1 = 4
Step 4
-
The final pattern, using these figures, would be:
- Increase/decrease 1 stitch at each end of the 3rd row (whole number from Step 1) 4 times (result of Step 2).
- Increase/decrease 1 stitch at each end of the 4th row (result of Step 3) 32 times (remainder from Step 1).
Finally, check ...
- Rows
| 3 rows x 4 times = | 12 rows |
| 4 rows x 32 times = | 128 rows |
| Total = | 140 rows |
Stitches
| Inc/dec 2 sts x 4 rows = | 8sts |
| Inc/dec 2 sts x 32 rows = | 64 sts |
| Total increase/decrease = | 72 sts (36 each side) |
