Increases & Decreases Calculator
Get evenly spaced shaping instructions for any knitting or crochet project.
Plain English Instructions
Work shaping on these rows:
Increase Methods
M1L — Make 1 Left
Insert left needle from front to back under the bar between stitches, then knit through the back loop. Leans left. The most invisible increase.
M1R — Make 1 Right
Insert left needle from back to front under the bar between stitches, then knit through the front loop. Leans right. Pairs with M1L for symmetric shaping.
KFB — Knit Front & Back
Knit into the front and back of the same stitch. Creates a small visible bar. Easy for beginners. Common in toe-up socks and amigurumi.
YO — Yarn Over
Wrap yarn over needle before the next stitch. Creates a decorative eyelet hole. Used in lace and intentional openwork patterns.
Decrease Methods
K2tog — Knit 2 Together
Insert needle through two stitches together and knit them as one. Leans right. The most common decrease.
SSK — Slip Slip Knit
Slip two stitches knitwise, then knit them together through the back loops. Leans left. Pairs with K2tog for symmetric shaping.
K3tog — Knit 3 Together
Double decrease — removes two stitches at once. Leans right. Used at corners and crown shaping.
SK2P / S2KP
Central double decrease. Slip 2 together, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over. Perfectly vertical. Used in lace and raglan shaping.