Formula
The stitches are divided by the number of actions. On a flat row each repeat works the whole-number quotient, then the action, and the remainder is knitted once at the end. That is the sentence the 43-stitch example uses.
flat: K(floor(n ÷ times)), action; repeat; then K(remainder)
round: some repeats are one stitch longer, so the remainder is split
A decrease consumes two stitches, so the pool is stitches minus twice the number of decreases. More increases than stitches is rejected. In the round the remainder is split because a circular row has no tail.
Worked examples
43 stitches, 8 increases, flat knit. K5, M1; rep 8 times, K3.
The same row in the round. Five repeats of K5, M1, then three repeats of K6, M1. The three extra stitches are spread around the round.
48 stitches, 6 decreases, flat knit. Each k2tog uses two stitches, so 12 stitches are consumed and 36 remain to space. 36 ÷ 6 = 6, so K6, k2tog, six times, with nothing left over.
Reference
Flat knit increases. The remainder sits at the end of the row.
| Stitches | Increases | Instruction |
|---|---|---|
| 43 | 8 | K5, M1; rep 8 times, K3. |
| 40 | 8 | K5, M1; rep 8 times. |
| 30 | 4 | K7, M1; rep 4 times, K2. |
| 20 | 3 | K6, M1; rep 3 times, K2. |
Questions
How do I space 8 increases across 43 stitches?
On a flat row: K5, M1, and repeat that 8 times, then K3. Forty-three divided by 8 is 5 with 3 left over, so the remainder is worked once at the end.
What changes in the round?
There is no end of row to park the remainder. The extra stitches are handed out so some repeats are one stitch longer. Eight increases on 43 stitches is K5, M1 five times, then K6, M1 three times.
How is a decrease different?
A knit decrease (k2tog) or a crochet decrease (sc2tog) uses two stitches. Those two are removed from the pool before the spacing is divided. A crochet increase is written “2 sc in next” instead of M1.
Sources
- Even spacing: floor(stitches ÷ times) in each repeat. Flat rows put the remainder at the end. In the round the remainder is split so some repeats are one stitch longer.
- Knit increase is M1. Knit decrease is k2tog and consumes two stitches. Crochet increase is “2 sc in next”. Crochet decrease is sc2tog.