Armhole Shaping Tracker

Follow section-specific shaping instructions.

Garments & Construction
Active Counter
Armhole Row
0row
Stitches Bound/Dec
1sts
Tap Anywhere to Count
Press Space or ↑ on your keyboard • Auto-saves instantly
Ready to count. Changes are automatically saved in local storage.

How Armhole Shaping Tracker Works?

The Armhole Shaping Tracker works by counting Armhole Row from the first armhole row and Stitches Bound/Dec for the stitches removed at the armhole edge. Set-in sleeve armholes bind off a group of stitches, then decrease 1 stitch at each edge for a few rows.

  1. Start at the underarm

    Begin the count on the first armhole bind-off row, which is row 1 of the armhole.

  2. Log the bind-offs

    Press → once for each stitch bound off or decreased at the armhole edge.

  3. Count armhole rows

    Tap the count pad or press Space at the end of each armhole row.

  4. Match the second piece

    Work the front armhole to the same Armhole Row and the same stitches removed as the back.

Armhole Shaping Tracker Formula

The Armhole Shaping Tracker formula is stitches removed per side = bind-off + decreases. The width across the shoulders after shaping equals the chest stitches minus twice the stitches removed per side.

Stitches removed per side
R = b + d

b is the underarm bind-off and d is the edge decreases on one side.

Cross-back stitches
Back = chest sts − 2R

Use the chest stitch count of one panel.

Armhole depth
Depth = armhole rows ÷ g

g is rows per inch.

Worked example: A back panel of 100 stitches that binds off 6 and decreases 5 at each armhole keeps 100 − 2 × 11 = 78 stitches across the back.

Armhole Shaping Tracker Conversion Table

The Armhole Shaping Tracker conversion table gives a sample armhole sequence for a worsted back panel of 100 stitches.

Sample set-in armhole sequence
Armhole rowsAction at each edgeRemoved per sideStitches on needle
1–2Bind off 6 sts688
3–4Bind off 2 sts884
5Decrease 1 st982
7Decrease 1 st1080
9Decrease 1 st1178
10–48Work even1178

Armhole depth here is 48 rows, or 8 in (20.3 cm) at 6 rows per inch.

What is Armhole Shaping Tracker?

An Armhole Shaping Tracker is a tool that tracks rows and removed stitches during armhole shaping on sweater and vest panels. Armholes shape the body where a set-in sleeve or vest opening fits.

Back and front armholes must match row for row, or the side seam and the sleeve cap will not line up. The tracker keeps the row and the stitches removed on one screen.

The Stitches Counter tool saves both numbers in your browser for each piece you shape.

What are the uses of Armhole Shaping Tracker?

There are 4 main uses of the Armhole Shaping Tracker, including set-in sleeves, vests and cap sleeves.

  • Set-in sleeves

    Shape armholes on sweater backs and fronts.

  • Vests

    Shape deep vest armholes with longer decrease sections.

  • Cap sleeves

    Match armhole rows with the sleeve cap rows.

  • Bottom-up yokes

    Count underarm stitches put on hold before joining sleeves.

About the Armhole Shaping Tracker

Manage stepped binds and rapid decreases when forming set-in sleeve armholes and vest openings on front and back panels.

How to Use This Tool Efficiently

  • ✓Bind off stitches at the beginning of the next 2 rows for balanced armhole curves.
  • ✓Decrease 1 stitch at each edge every other row until the target shoulder width is reached.

Browse All Stitches Counter Tools

Explore all 132 specialized counters, calculators, and trackers in our collection.