Too much math

"Machine knitting is just not for me ... there's too much MATH"

I almost cried when I read this email from a new knitter. I am NOT a math person and for over 10 years we've been doing everything we can to make machine knitting easier (so knitters don't have to do math).

(Doing math is not just limited to machine knitting. Unless you can find the "perfect" hand knitting pattern, there are times when you have to do some calculations for hand knitting)
With 21 charting tools AND our Perfect Fit patterns, at Knit it Now there aren't too many times that you need to look for a calculator and do math for your knitting.

8 Reasons math is necessary for knitting

Swatching and gauge

1Calculate your gauge. Success with any knitting is based on the gauge of your knitting.
As machine knitters we can't just start knitting, then measure and change needle sizes as we go. We can't measure-as -you-go like hand knitters. Our knitting is stretched across the needlebed and we add weights to help the stitches form properly. This temporarily distorts the knitting.

One time I measured a sleeve right off the machine and it was 5-6" too long. I tossed into the bin and walked away. Going back the next day, I remeasured and it was the correct length.
Lesson learned ... let your knitting rest at least 24 hours, dress it it, then measure

KNIT IT NOW SOLUTION:
use the GAUGE CALCULATOR and you won't even have to hunt for your desktop calculator.
2Estimating how much yarn you need.
There are lots of ways to figure out how much yarn you need. Learn more

One accurate method is based on your swatch
  1. Swatch and record the width, height and weight of your swatch.
  2. Calculate the weight of your knitting per square inch.
  3. Establish the square inches in your garment (add up the square inches of each piece)
  4. Calculate how much yarn you need.
Learn More
KNIT IT NOW SOLUTION:
Skip step 4, establish your swatch and garmment information and use the
YARN ESTIMATOR TOOL



USING HAND KNITTING PATTERNS

3Use a hand knitting pattern.
If you use a hand knitting pattern you need to calculate how many rows to knit based on the dimensions and pattern diagram.
Example: "knit in pattern for 12" (12 times your row gauge = how many rows to knit)

KNIT IT NOW SOLUTION:
Based on your gauge, use the
RECTANGLE/SQUARE TOOL Enter YOUR gauge and create a square the desired length to determine how many rows to knit.>
4Using a hand knitting pattern at a different gauge than your swatch
Use math to establish the ration between the pattern gauge and your gauge, then "translate"/convert to get your knitting instructions

Learn More
KNIT IT NOW SOLUTION:
Use the
GAUGE CONVERSION TOOL Let the tool calculate the ratios for you to use.(yes, there is still math to be done, converting the entire pattern)>

Determine the basic shape of the hand knitting pattern and incorporate the design elements with a Knit it Now pattern - ANY yarn, ANY gauge

ALTER A PATTERN

5Adding bust darts.
Bust darts can improve the fit our your sweaters dramatically calculate how many rows to knit based on the dimensions and pattern diagram.
Learn More

KNIT IT NOW SOLUTION:
Based on your gauge, use the
DART FORMULA TOOL Enter YOUR gauge and and desired cup size and let the tool create your custom knitting instructions.
6Adjust Sleeve Length
No more ill-fitting sleeves

Learn More
KNIT IT NOW SOLUTION:
Use the MAGIC FORMULA TOOLS

Magic Formula (stitches and rows)
 Magic Formuls (inches /cm)
7Add waist shaping
Show off those curves!

Learn More
KNIT IT NOW SOLUTION:
Use the MAGIC FORMULA TOOLS

Magic Formula (stitches and rows)
 Magic Formuls (inches /cm)

Customize your patterns with Knit it Now patterns - ANY yarn, ANY gauge

POSITION A STITCH PATTERN/MOTIF

8Stitch Multiples | Stitch Repeat
Determine where to best position stitches on your garment
Learn More

KNIT IT NOW SOLUTION:
Plan your design with
KNITTERS GRAPH PAPER

MACHINE KNITTING PATTERNS

Knit it Now patterns ... the "NO MATH" solution for machine knitters

Sadly, there are very few knitwear designers creating patterns for knitting machines. If you find a vintage patten you like, it is most likely designed for a yarn that is no longer available. Matching gauge to any pattern is time-consuming and frustrating.

With Knit it Now patterns you can use ANY yarn, ANY machine and even substitute ANY stitch pattern.

You create your own CUSTOM PATTERN based on YOUR gauge and you can Perfect Fit the pattern by adjusting the sizing to fit.

Learn More

KNIT IT NOW SOLUTION:
  1. Determine the style of sweater you want to Knit (cardigan/pullover, sleeve style etc)
  2. Choose your size (based on FINISHED measurements)
  3. Adjust the sizing as needed
  4. Enter your gauge
  5. Knit your CUSTOM pattern on screen or from a printed copy

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6 COMMENTS
Jeri R
 May 1, 2022
Math is not my problem… I’m more of a math person. I wonder if the email author is frustrated with other aspects and blaming it on math. The machine is not a magic solution. I have acquaintances that think the machine is a cheat that makes it all easier, but it's not. It's a skill set that has to be mastered. The learning curve and patience for hand or machine knitting is the same but a lot of knitters don’t remember that from back when they learned to hand knit. And now they typically have lots of experience and forgot those original struggles.

Don’t be a math person…be a "make a swatch and use a tape measure person"…knit it now will do the rest.

Patricia M
 May 1, 2022
Maths was never my strong point and as I get older it has become harder for me to do quite simple calculations. Now, as I progress into my 80s, I rely more and more on Knit it Now. As we age we all forget stuff, but machine knitting is one sure way to keep the brain ticking along and fight off the dreaded dementia. For me to draft out a pattern on my own at this stage of my life is getting to be pretty near impossible, so thank goodness for KIN ; the patterns are excellent and the information is always at hand to remind me of all the technical stuff I keep forgetting.

Bill B
 Apr 29, 2022
I love math, BUT, the Knit It Now tools make the math quick. If I use a tool and want to know more, I can Google the math...I haven't Goggled yet. ??

Audrey B
 Apr 27, 2022
KIN makes building a sweater so easy. I love the patterns and directions. However, it you have a class on drafting sweaters (with ALL the math) I would love to take it as well. I love knowing all the basics as well as the dynamic pattern magic.

Sue J
 Apr 27, 2022
Thanks, Mary! With our updated format the patterns should be EVEN EASIER to use. Check out the changes https://knititnow.com/update

Mary K
 Apr 27, 2022
KIN makes knitting a pattern so easy. Instructions are easy to read. Couldn’t get any easier IMHO.