Crochet Increase & Decrease Calculator
Need to go from one stitch count to another? Get the exact instructions to spread increases or decreases evenly.
How to increase or decrease evenly
To increase evenly, divide the stitches you have by the number of increases you need. If you have 48 stitches and need 6 more, 48 ÷ 6 = 8: work 7 stitches, then 2 stitches in the next one, and repeat 6 times.
To decrease evenly, do the same division but work 2 fewer plain stitches, because each decrease uses up 2 stitches. With 48 stitches and 6 decreases: work 6 stitches, then a decrease, 6 times.
When the numbers don't divide exactly, some repeats get one extra stitch. The calculator spreads those longer repeats out so the shaping stays smooth.
Rows vs rounds
In rows, the calculator moves a few plain stitches to the end so you don't increase in the very first or last stitch, which keeps the edges straight. In rounds the pattern simply repeats all the way around. For circles, try staggering where your increases fall each round so the circle doesn't turn into a hexagon.
Frequently asked questions
What does inc and dec mean in crochet?
Inc (increase) means working 2 stitches into the same stitch. Dec (decrease) means working 2 stitches together into one, for example sc2tog.
How many stitches can I increase in one round?
At most one increase per stitch, which doubles the count. If you need more, spread the increases over two rounds.
What does the number in brackets at the end mean?
It's the total stitch count you should have at the end of the row or round, so you can check your work.