You’re cruising up a hat, and the pattern says “decrease 9 sts evenly around.” No other info. Here’s how to figure out where each decrease goes, and what to do when the numbers don’t divide nicely.
The quick method
- Each decrease uses 2 stitches. A k2tog turns 2 stitches into 1.
- Take those out first. 100 stitches with 9 decreases: 100 − (9 × 2) = 82 plain stitches left over.
- Share the plain stitches between the decreases. 82 ÷ 9 = 9 with 1 left over. So most sections get 9 plain stitches and one gets 10.
- Write the round:
*k9, k2tog; repeat from * 8 times, k10, k2tog. (91 sts)
In the round there’s no edge to worry about, so every section is a plain stretch followed by a decrease. Worked flat it’s a little different, because you keep the decreases away from the edges. The increase & decrease evenly calculator handles both, and gives you a checklist to tick off as you go.
Free calculatorIncrease & decrease evenlyDo my decrease math →A classic 8-point hat crown
Most hats knit from the brim up use the same idea: decrease 8 stitches every other round until only a few are left. Here’s the full crown for a hat with 96 stitches.
| Round | What to work |
|---|---|
| Round 1 | *k10, k2tog; repeat from * 8 times. (88 sts) |
| Round 2 | Knit all 88 sts |
| Round 3 | *k9, k2tog; repeat from * 8 times. (80 sts) |
| Round 4 | Knit all 80 sts |
| Round 5 | *k8, k2tog; repeat from * 8 times. (72 sts) |
| Round 6 | Knit all 72 sts |
| Round 7 | *k7, k2tog; repeat from * 8 times. (64 sts) |
| Round 8 | Knit all 64 sts |
| Round 9 | *k6, k2tog; repeat from * 8 times. (56 sts) |
| Round 10 | Knit all 56 sts |
| Round 11 | *k5, k2tog; repeat from * 8 times. (48 sts) |
| Round 12 | Knit all 48 sts |
| Round 13 | *k4, k2tog; repeat from * 8 times. (40 sts) |
| Round 14 | Knit all 40 sts |
| Round 15 | *k3, k2tog; repeat from * 8 times. (32 sts) |
| Round 16 | Knit all 32 sts |
| Round 17 | *k2, k2tog; repeat from * 8 times. (24 sts) |
| Round 18 | Knit all 24 sts |
| Round 19 | *k1, k2tog; repeat from * 8 times. (16 sts) |
| Round 20 | Knit all 16 sts |
| Round 21 | *k2tog; repeat from * 8 times. (8 sts) |
When 8 stitches are left, cut the yarn, thread it through the live stitches and pull tight. If your stitch count isn’t a multiple of 8, the calculator spreads the uneven bit through the round so you don’t get a lopsided crown.
Tips for a neat crown
- Stack your decreases. When every decrease sits on top of the one below, you get those pretty spiral or star lines.
- Switch to DPNs or magic loop when the stitches get too tight for your circular needle.
- Swap k2tog for ssk on half the decreases if you want lines that lean in both directions.
- Decreasing every round makes a flatter top. Every other round gives a softer, rounder crown.
Questions
What’s the most I can decrease in one round?
Half your stitches. Each k2tog uses 2 stitches, so 40 stitches can lose at most 20 in one round. Past that, spread the decreases over two rounds.
Does decreasing evenly work the same in crochet?
Yes. Use sc2tog (UK dc2tog) instead of k2tog. The calculator has a crochet mode with US and UK terms.
Why does my crown pucker?
Usually the decreases are too close together on the first decrease round, or they’re too tight. Work them a little looser and check that you’re spreading them evenly, not bunching them at the start of the round.