How to increase/decrease evenly!

How to calculate where to inc/dec when pattern says "inc/dec evenly" - You can use this lesson's tips both in knitting and crocheting:

Increase evenly:
The pattern tells you to increase a number of stitches evenly.

Example 1: You have 100 sts and you shall increase 16 sts evenly.
Use a calculator and enter 100 divided by 16 and you will get 6.25.
The number you get should be rounded down to full or half number.
In this example we will round it down to 6. So you should inc after every 6th stitch like this: Work 6 sts, make 1st inc, work 6 sts, make 2nd inc, work 6 sts, make 3rd inc, work 6 sts, make 4th inc, and continue like this. After your 16th increase you will have 4 sts left on row to work.

Example 2: You have 140 sts and you shall increase 21 sts evenly.
Use a calculator and enter 140 divided by 21 and you will get 6.66.
The number you get should be rounded down to full or half number.
In this example we will round it down to 6.5. So you should inc after alternating every 6th and 7th stitch like this: Work 6 sts, make 1st inc, work 7 sts, make 2nd inc, work 6 sts, make 3rd inc, work 7 sts, make 4th inc, and continue like this. After your 21st increase you will have 4 sts left on row to work.

Example 3: You have 48 sts and you shall increase 12 sts evenly.
Use a calculator and enter 48 divided by 12 and you will get 4.
If you get an even number and you are working in the round, then it's easy and you can just inc with that number of stitches between each inc.
But if you are working rows back and forth and shall inc every 4th stitch like in this example, then you would have to make an inc after the last stitch on row, which you can't. To avoid this you work a couple less stitches before first inc like this:
Work 2 sts, make 1st inc, work 4 sts, make 2nd inc, work 4 sts, make 3rd inc, work 4 sts, make 4th inc, and continue like this. After your 12th increase you will have 2 sts left on row to work.

Decrease evenly: The pattern tells you to decrease a number of stitches evenly.

Example 1: You have 100 sts and you shall decrease 16 sts evenly.
Use a calculator and enter 100 divided by 16 and you will get 6.25.
If the number is less than .5 then always round the number down, so in this example we round it down to 6.
To make decreases in every 6th stitch, means that you work together every 5th and 6th stitch like this: Work 4 sts, K2tog (5th and 6th sts), work 4 sts, K2tog, work 4 sts, K2tog, and continue like this. After your 16th K2tog you will have 4 sts left on row to work.

Example 2: You have 140 sts and you shall decrease 30 sts evenly.
Use a calculator and enter 140 divided by 30 and you will get 4.66.
When the number is more than .5 you will have to alternate your decreases between lower and higher number. In this example this means we will alternate dec in every 4th and 5th st, like this:
Work 2 sts, K2tog (3rd and 4th sts), work 3 sts, K2tog (4th and 5th), work 2 sts, K2tog, work 3 sts, K2tog, and continue like this. After your 30th K2tog you will have 5 sts left on row to work.

Example 3: You have 48 sts and you shall decrease 12 sts evenly.
Use a calculator and enter 48 divided by 12 and you will get 4.
In this example this means we will dec in every 4th st, like this:
Work 2 sts, K2tog (3rd and 4th sts), work 2 sts, K2tog, work 2 sts, K2tog, and continue like this. After your 12th K2tog you'll have no sts left on row to work.

Comments (180)

Debrye wrote:

Hallo, ik brei een muts en wil die minderen met een centered double decrease. Ik heb 96 steken en moet naar 6. Hoe doe ik dat zodanig dat het mooi verdeeld is. Ik werk met een rondbreinaalden. Vriendelijk dank bij voorbaat

25.11.2023 - 08:28:

DROPS Design answered:

Dag Debrye,

Als je de muts in de rondte breit en 90 steken moet minderen, dan zou je bijvoorbeeld 9 markeerders kunnen plaatsen waarbij je 5 keer mindert aan beide kanten van de 9 markeerders .

26.11.2023 - 07:35:

TRIJS wrote:

ALS IN HET PATROON STAAT: HERHAAL A2 ( HET PATROON) MET DE VOLGENDE 38 STK EN MEERDER 6 STK. MEERDER JE DAN DIE 6 STK BINNEN DE 38 STK? ( ZIE PATROON 172-35 BIJ DE PAS)

14.11.2023 - 18:26:

DROPS Design answered:

Dag Trijs,

Ja in dit geval meerder je 6 steken over die 38 steken. Klopt het trouwens dat je de grootste maat breit? (Omdat 38 het laatste getal is in het aangegeven aantal steken) In dat geval moet je 14 steken meerderen (dus ook het laatste getal nemen van het aangegeven aantal meerderingen.

18.11.2023 - 17:19:

Sabine wrote:

Warum müssen eigentlich kurz vor Ende des Rumpfteils nochmals 20 Maschen zugenommen werden?

12.11.2023 - 21:53:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Sabine, es wird vor den unteren Bündchen zugenommen, damit die Arbeit unten nicht zu eng wird: man braucht für die gleiche Breite mehr Maschen für Bündchen mit den kleineren Nadeln as für Glatt rechts mit den grösseren Nadeln. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

13.11.2023 - 08:58:

Alessandra wrote:

Buongiorno, sto facendo Foggy Autumn Sweater ma finito il collo mi si dice di aumentare le maglie dello sprone ma il numero degli aumenti non mi torna la divisione successiva dove vanno messi i segnapunti. In particolare, per la taglia L, si dice di aumentare 17 maglie per avere un totale di 104. Nella divisione delle maglie i segnapunti vanno messi dopo 18 - 14 -36 -14- 18 = 100 e non 104. calcolo 19-14-38-14-19? Grazie in anticipo per l'aiuto

20.10.2023 - 13:07:

DROPS Design answered:

Buongiorno Alessandra, ha inserito i segnapunti NELLA maglia come indicato e non tra 2 maglie? Le 4 maglie che mancano sono le 4 maglie con i segnapunti. Buon lavoro!

20.10.2023 - 19:12:

Marian Deasy wrote:

I am knitting River Reflections and starting the decreasing for the armholes but don’t understand “On next row cast off for armholes in each side as follows: Cast off 3-3-3-4-4-4 stitches 1 time, 2 stitches 1 time, and 1 stitch 1-3-4-6-9-12 times = 62-66-70-72-76-80 stitches.” Can you help please Marian

04.10.2023 - 21:50:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Deasy, you will have now to cast off at the beginning of each row on each side the stitches for armholes, so you cast off 3-3-3-4-4-4 stitches at the beg of next 2 rows (= 1 time on each side), then 2 sts at the beg of next 2 rows (= 2 sts 1 time on each side), then 1 stitch at at the beg of next 2-6-8-12-18-24 rows (= 1-3-4-6-9-12 times on each side). Happy knitting!

05.10.2023 - 09:15:

Tina wrote:

Vielen Dank! Das war sehr hilfreich!

04.10.2023 - 01:13:

Carola Vonhof wrote:

Vielen Dank für die Rechenaufgabe zum gleichmäßigen Abnehmen bei der Rundpasse. Ich habe auch spontan gedacht, dass man einfach die Maschenzahl durch die Zahl der Abnahmen teilen muss. Das funktioniert aber nicht. Denn ab der ersten Masche habe ich weniger Maschen und dann funktioniert die Abnahme nicht mehr.

03.09.2023 - 10:38:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Frau Vonhof, es wird immer die gleiche Rechnung sein, es kann aber sein, daß das Ergebnis mehr zu Beispiel 1 (mit z.B. 6,25) oder zu Beispiel 2 (mit 4,66) aussieht - dann sollen Sie abwechslungsweise wie bei den beiden Beispiele ab- bzw zunehmen. Viel Spaß beim stricken!

04.09.2023 - 09:15:

Ingrid wrote:

Super erklärt und weiter geholfen. Danke!

17.07.2023 - 10:37:

Mia wrote:

Hvilken metode anbefaler I til at tage 4 masker ud jævnt fordelt på 30 masker? Jeg er i gang med chocolate toes baby sutsko. Kh en nybegynder

28.06.2023 - 09:15:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Mia. Om du har 30 masker og skal øke med 4 masker, deler du 30 på 4 = 7,5. Da øker du 2 ganger etter at du har strikket 7 masker og øker 2 ganger etter du har strikket 8 masker. F.eks slik: Strikk 7 masker, øk, strikk 8 masker, øk, strikk 7 masker, øk, strikk 8 masker og øk siste gang = 34 masker. mvh DROPS Design

24.07.2023 - 08:44:

Cathia THERY LE STRAT wrote:

Bonjour, Je suis en train de crocheter le modèle Drops 241-12 Drops Design Modèle e-347. Je dois augmenter 12 fois tous les rangs. Quand toutes les augmentations sont faites, je dois obtenir 93 mailles et l'ouvrage mesurer environ 18 cm. J'ai fait 12 augmentations soit 2 augmentations par rang ; j'ai bien mes 93 mailles mais mon ouvrage ne mesure que 11 cm ?? Je pense ne pas avoir compris, pouvez-vous m'éclaircir. Merci beaucoup. Cathia

23.06.2023 - 21:36:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Thery Le Strat, c'est excat, votre ouvrage doit bien mesurer 11 cm depuis que les deux bretelles sont réunies (cf schéma) soit 18 cm avec les 7 cm des bretelles. Bon crochet!

26.06.2023 - 09:32:

Gitte wrote:

Jeg har 145 masker og skal tage 25 ud jævnt fordelt hvilket giver 5,8 vil det så sige at jeg tager ud efter hver 5 og 6 ?

20.06.2023 - 12:46:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Gitte. Ja, du tar ut etter hver 6. maske, men ca 7 ganger må du ta ut etter hver 5. maske. mvh DROPS Design

26.06.2023 - 07:19:

Wanda Therolf wrote:

I am working the Lacey Days Jumper in medium. Pattern no cl-040. I’m working the yoke from mid back I am unclear as to how many times I need to repeat the 2nd row. It says work piece back and forth but goes on to say insert markers with detailed instructions until length is 6 3/4 “. However design picture shows many rows before lacy pattern begins. Am I missing something? Also are instructions in Us or Uk terms. Thanks so much for your help with this. Wanda

21.04.2023 - 21:39:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Wanda, you don't need to repeat the row back and forth, it just means that you will work the rest of the garment back and forth. So, as soon as you have worked this row once and taking into account how to end every row, continue on the next paragraph. Happy crocheting!

23.04.2023 - 17:50:

Maritchou Bordessoule wrote:

Je suis en train de faire le modèle drops 138-6 mais dans les explications je ne trouve pas de devant

14.04.2023 - 18:20:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Mme Bordessoule, dans ce modèle, les devants sont formés lorsque l'on crochète la bordure tout autour du dos (avec les mailles montées de chaque côté pour les manches). Bon crochet!

18.04.2023 - 10:42:

Tina wrote:

Jeg strikker Merry Trees trøjer - har lavet 2 til piger og her passede antal på pinden delt med antal der skulle tages ud på bærestykket. Nu strikker jeg herre model str L - har 88 masker og skal tage 26 masker ud . På hvilket antal maske skal udtagningen ske? 3,38 hvordan gøres dette?

03.04.2023 - 18:13:

DROPS Design answered:

Hei Tine. Her må du øke etter hver 3. maske, MEN noen ganger (ca 10 ganger) etter hver 4. maske. Fordelt økningene jevnt over omgangen. mvh DROPS Design

14.04.2023 - 08:35:

Michelle wrote:

Bonjour, Je tricote les sunny sneaker et j’ai manqué de faire les diminutions au premier rang de côte. Est-ce que je peux les faire rendu au troisième rang? Merci

27.03.2023 - 03:28:

DROPS Design answered:

Bonjour Michelle, dans ce modèle, on diminue au 1er rang jersey après les côtes. Vous pouvez ainsi continuer vos côtes tranquillement. Bon tricot!

27.03.2023 - 10:13:

Liz Bottomley wrote:

Im knitting "Lucky Jack" cable sweater. How do i know where the mid under sleeve is and which is the best way to increase? Many thanks xx When piece measures 6-8-8-8-7 cm, inc 2 sts mid under sleeve.

10.03.2023 - 23:46:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Liz, the beginning/end of the round is the mid under sleeve (where the round was joined after casting on stitches). You can increase on increase rounds as follows: work the 1st stitch, make 1 yarn over, work until the end of the row and when 1 stitch remains before ending the round work 1 yarn over and then work the last stitch. On the next round, work yarn overs twisted. Happy knitting!

12.03.2023 - 16:44:

Diana Walker wrote:

Rosewood Pattern sk-022 Drops 201-2 In the diagrams for the pattern could you explain what the abbreviation 0\ or 0/ means please. Do I knit two together then make a stitch between the next 2 stitches? The diagram explanations are not clear. Thank you

09.03.2023 - 10:17:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Mrs Walker, the 0 is a yarn over and the / is K2 tog while \ is slip 1, k1, psso. The yarn over should be worked either after or before the decrease, ie in A.1 for example, work *k1, (Slip 1, k1, psso, yo, K2)x2, slip 1, k1, psso, YO, K1*, repeat from *-*. Happy knitting!

09.03.2023 - 13:46:

Rosemary Van Hees wrote:

Hi, I have started to knit “November Breeze” Drops 236-20, have got as far as far as where I need to cast off for the armholes and don’t understand what I need to do next. What do you mean by: 4 stitches 0-0-0-1-1-1 time, 3 stitches 0-0-1-0-0-0 time, 2stitches 1-1-1-1-2-3 times and 1 stitch0-2-1-2-3-5 times on each side etc. I cast on 100 stitches and have knitted 47cm with 88 stitches

04.03.2023 - 18:40:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear Rosemary, If the instructions say 0 times for your size, you simply pass to the next part of the instructions For size M, cast off for the armholes as follows: 2 stitches 1 time on each side; that is, 2 stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows - one from the right side and one from the wrong side. Then, cast off 1 stitch 2 times (so, at the beginning of the next 4 rows: right side row, wrong side row, right side row, wrong side row. Happy knitting!

05.03.2023 - 18:20:

Lea wrote:

Wie rechne ich es denn, wenn in der Anleitung "über die Ärmellänge gleichmäßig verteilt 5 Maschen zunehmen" steht? Länge in cm geteilt durch 5? Danke!

26.02.2023 - 12:52:

DROPS Design answered:

Liebe Lea, ja vielleicht, diese Lektion benutzen wir meistens wenn Zunahmen/Abnahmen gleichmäßig verteilt in derselben Reihe gestrickt sind. Im Zweifesfall können Sie gerne Ihre Frage unter die Anleitung stellen, so kann man Ihnen am besten helfen - oder Ihr Wollladen fragen (auch per Telefon oder per E-Mail). Viel Spaß beim stricken!

08.03.2023 - 13:16:

CK wrote:

Hello, I'm knitting the Flagstone Hat. The instructions state: When the piece measures 23-24 cm from the cast-on edge, insert 7 markers with 15-16 stitches between each one. Now decrease as follows: Knit 2 together before each marker (= 7 stitches decreased). Decrease like this every 3rd round 2 times and every 2nd round 9 times (= a total of 11 times) = 28-35 stitches. -- > Could you explain what this means? ''Every 3rd round 2 times and every 2nd round 9 times'' Thank you!

21.02.2023 - 16:44:

DROPS Design answered:

Dear CK, this means you work as follows *decrease 1 stitch at each marker (7 sts decreaesd), work 2 rounds without decrease*, repeat this one more time, then *decrease 1 stitch at each marker, work 1 round without decrease*, work from *-* a total of 9 times - you have decreased a total of 11 times. Happy knitting!

22.02.2023 - 09:22: