Decrease Counter

How Decrease Counter Works?

The Decrease Counter works by adding 1 to Decreases Worked for every decrease stitch you make. Decreases Needed holds the number of decreases the row or round asks for.

1. 1

   Set the decreases needed

   Press → to set Decreases Needed, such as 8 for a crown round with 8 sections.

2. 2

   Tap per decrease

   Tap the count pad or press Space after each knit 2 together (k2tog), slip slip knit (ssk), single crochet 2 together (sc2tog) or centred double decrease.

3. 3

   Confirm the round

   The round is done when Decreases Worked equals Decreases Needed.

4. 4

   Reset for the next round

   Press Reset Count and work the plain rounds before the next decrease round.

Decrease Counter Formula

The Decrease Counter formula is new stitch count = old stitch count − decreases × stitches removed per decrease. Single decreases remove 1 stitch and double decreases remove 2.

Stitch count after decreases

New = Old − D × k

D is Decreases Worked and k is 1 for k2tog, ssk or sc2tog, or 2 for a centred double decrease.

Decreases needed

D = (Old − Target) ÷ k

Target is the stitch count after shaping.

Crown sections

Section width = stitches ÷ decreases per round

Eight decreases on 96 stitches give 12-stitch sections.

Worked example: A 96-stitch hat crown with 8 decreases per round loses 8 stitches each decrease round. After 10 decrease rounds the crown holds 96 − 80 = 16 stitches ready for the cinch.

Decrease Counter Conversion Table

The Decrease Counter conversion table tracks an 8-section hat crown from 96 stitches, decreasing every other round.

Work 1 plain round between decrease rounds until 48 stitches remain, then decrease every round.

What is Decrease Counter?

A Decrease Counter is a tally tool that counts the decreases you work in a row, round or shaping section. Decreases narrow the fabric at hat crowns, sock toes, armholes and waists.

Decreases sit in a line, and a missed decrease breaks that line and leaves the stitch count off by 1 or 2. Counting each decrease keeps every crown section the same width.

The Stitches Counter tool saves the decreases worked and the target in your browser.

What are the uses of Decrease Counter?

There are 5 main uses of the Decrease Counter, including hat crowns, sock toes and armholes.

• Hat crowns

  Count the 6 to 10 decreases of each crown decrease round.

• Sock toes

  Count the 4 decreases of each wedge toe round.

• Armholes

  Count decreases at each armhole edge on the front and back.

• Waist shaping

  Count paired side decreases toward the waist.

• Amigurumi closing

  Count sc2tog decreases as a stuffed part closes.