Tools for the worktable

Design size equals chart stitches divided by the effective stitch count in the selected fabric-count unit; the chosen margin is added on both sides.

Example: 140 × 98 stitches on fabric with 55 threads/10 cm produces a 25.5 × 17.8 cm design; a 5 cm margin needs a 35.5 × 27.8 cm fabric cut.

Each horizontal or vertical margin is half the difference between the fabric and design dimension. Use the same unit throughout.

Example: a 24 × 18 cm design centered on 40 × 30 cm fabric leaves 8 cm at each side and 6 cm at top and bottom.

The minimum round inner diameter is the diagonal of the design rectangle after clearance is added on every side. Choose a frame when that diameter is impractical.

Example: an 8 × 6 cm design with 1 cm clearance needs at least a 12.81 cm inner diameter.

The planner fits the largest whole number of motifs that preserves the minimum gap, then shares leftover space evenly between motifs.

Example: six 12 cm motifs fit across 100 cm with an actual gap of 5.6 cm.

The cut length is multiplied by the strands used, scaled to the target stitch count and allowance, then divided by the full-strand length × strands per skein. It is a planning estimate, not guaranteed coverage.

Example: if 100 stitches use a 100 cm cut with two strands, 1,000 stitches plus 10% need about 22 m of single-strand floss.

Formula: stitches ÷ swatch width × target width. The final counts are rounded to the nearest whole stitch and row.

Example: 20 stitches across 10 cm becomes 100 stitches across 50 cm.

Fixed edge stitches are removed first; the remaining count is rounded down and up to complete pattern repeats.

Example: target 103 with an 8-stitch repeat and 2 stitches at each edge gives nearby valid counts of 100 and 108.

Target width and height are divided by the measured repeat of a blocked, joined sample and rounded up independently. Allowance is applied after the grid count. Use only for aligned rectangular layouts; follow the pattern for offset or hexagonal arrangements.

Example: a 10 × 10 cm joined repeat covering 95 × 135 cm needs 10 columns × 14 rows = 140 motifs; 5% allowance means making 147.

Markers are distributed across available stitch boundaries. Apply the pattern's specified increase or decrease at each marker.

Example: four increases across 100 stitches with two protected at each edge give 104 stitches after shaping.

Width and height use their own measured after-to-before ratios. This is a projection from your swatch, not a safe stretching target.

Example: a swatch changing from 10 × 10 cm to 11 × 9 cm projects a 50 × 60 cm piece to about 55 × 54 cm.

Required length plus allowance is divided by the label length per ball, then rounded up to a whole purchase unit.

Example: 850 m plus 10% allowance, at 200 m per ball, requires 5 balls.

The target area is divided by the swatch area, then multiplied by swatch weight and allowance. Label length and weight convert that estimate to yarn length and whole balls. Use this only for fabric with similar stitch pattern, gauge, and density.

Example: a 10 × 10 cm swatch weighing 5 g projects 165 g and 330 m for a 50 × 60 cm rectangle with 10% allowance, using 100 m per 50 g ball.

Required length plus allowance is divided by substitute length per ball and rounded up. Match gauge and fabric with a swatch before purchasing.

Example: 850 m plus 10%, using 175 m and 50 g balls, requires 6 balls: 1,050 m and 300 g purchased.

Length conversions use exact standard factors before the displayed value is rounded.

Example: 100 centimetres equals about 39.37 inches.

Observed minutes per unit are scaled to the target and increased by your allowance. Use comparable sample and project units.

Example: 50 units in 20 minutes, scaled to 500 units plus 15%, is about 3 hours 50 minutes.