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Measure twice, make once

Stitch pickup planner

Plan a starting stitch count for a straight knitted edge using the gauges of the body and new band.

Start with the calculator. Formula, assumptions, and limits are available when you need them.

Knitting

Measure both finished swatches over the same distance (for example, 10 cm). Count rows in the body and stitches across the band.

Your swatch

Results update automatically when all fields contain valid values.

A starting estimate, not a fit guarantee. Slipped edges, corners, curves, rib contraction and pattern multiples need separate adjustment. Test the finished band before repeating it.

Formula, example, and limits

Formula and assumptions

Unrounded pickups = edge rows × band stitch gauge ÷ body row gauge. Round to the nearest whole stitch; halves round up. The displayed ratio reduces the rounded count against the edge rows. Edge rows: 1–10,000; each gauge: 0.1–1,000; result: 1–10,000 stitches.

Worked example

96 edge rows, 32 body rows and 24 band stitches over the same 10 cm give 72 pickups: an average of 3 stitches over 4 edge rows.

Limits and rounding

Results are planning estimates from the values entered. Displayed decimals are rounded for craft use; whole materials and repeats round up where the method says so. Confirm gauge, material behavior, construction, and finished measurements before committing supplies.

Purl Soho: Picking up stitches

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