July/August 2003

When a pattern says to increase 7 (or 8 or 9 or any number) evenly on next round.
How do I calculate where to place the increases?

• Divide the number of stitches on the needles by the number of stitches to increase = number of stitch between each increase.
• Example 1: Cast on 51 stitches work 6 rows of seed stitch. Increase 4 stitches evenly across.
• 51 divided by 4 equals 12.75 stitches between each increase.
• Example 2: Cast on 112 stitches work 2" of rib. Increase 16 stitches evenly across.
  • 112 divided by 16 equals 7 stitches between each increase.
• If you are working in the round, start counting with the first stitch after the round marker and increase in the stitch that corresponds to your calculated answer.
• If you are working flat for front, back or sleeves, you need to do one extra step. Divide the number of stitches between increases by one half (one half of 12.75 = 6.37 for Example 1 or one half of 7 = 3.5 for Example 2). Start your first increase at this half point (this centers the increases across the work and prevents having an increase stitch fall at the end of the row).
• - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - - - - - - - X - - - - - - (for you visual folks)
• So, how do you increase every 12.75 stitches??? Work increases at intervals 13, 13, 13 and 12 (increases at 13, 26, 39 and 51) working in the round, or 6, 19, 32 and 45 if working flat.