How to calculate the number of loops? Knitting with knitting needles for beginners

The article gives useful advice on the calculation of loops when knitting different products from any yarn.

Why count loops

Loops love the score. So paraphrase the famous saying about money can each needlewoman. Beginners and professionals are wondering how to correctly calculate the number of loops when knitting or crocheting. Even when knitting things on articles in magazines or on the Internet using exactly the same yarn and spokes or hook, as in the example, the dimensions of the resulting product may differ. It's all about knitting. Every artist is accustomed to stretching loops and yarn while knitting with a certain effort. Knitting density can be controlled during work, but it is difficult for large volumes and will increase the knitting time. Differences in size can be in different drawings. Popular "elastic" very much steals the dimensions, so a normal cloth of the same size will require less loops.

Knitting Pattern

, является измерение образцов. The most reliable way to calculate the number of loops is to measure the samples. Such a procedure does not cause joy, as it takes a lot of time, but if you want the thing to be the size and sit as designed for patterns, the need for precise calculation will not cause doubts. Suppose that you support the idea that the correct calculation will save from the dissolution of things in the middle of work, which is even more time-consuming.

So, you need to associate a small sample with the main pattern, approximately 10-15 cm in width and height. Any hostess who decided to do knitting should know about how to tie the pattern with knitting needles. For fine yarns, at least 30 loops and 20 knit rows are required. If there are 2 different patterns in the product, you will need to link the samples for each sheet. The sample loops need to be closed, as on the finished product. Preparing in this way a small knitted fabric, you need to wash it, because all natural materials have the property to sit down. Remember the rules of washing knitwear, their delicate texture requires careful treatment. Be careful when drying, products from most types of yarn do not accept batteries and linen ropes, deforming at this ratio. The yarn used earlier, from the loose old things, does not require such care, since repeated washing and use have already brought the fiber to a constant state.

Formula of calculations

A finished sample of the canvas, washed and dried if necessary, needs to be spread out on a flat surface, properly smooth it, while not too stretching. If necessary, you can use pins to fix the sample. Next, you need to measure the distance between rows between the rows, excluding the extreme 1-2 rows. For example, you need to measure the distance from the beginning of the 3rd loop to the end of the 28th, if the sample is connected on 30 loops. This distance should be divided by the number of loops (26 in our case) and write the obtained ratio as accurately as possible. Let's say we got 104 mm, in this case each loop takes 4 mm in a row, this is almost an ideal case for calculations, it is unlikely that such precision can be achieved in real knitting.

Denote the number of loops of the sample as n, the dimensions of the product in cm for R, and the measurement distance of sample S, then we can derive a simple formula for calculating the number of loops. To calculate the required number of loops (N), multiply the required distance by the number of measured loops of the sample and divide by the distance occupied by these loops in the sample: N = R * n / S. For example, a pattern requires 50 cm (500 mm) of knitted fabric, According to the formula, in our case, 125 loops are required to connect the product exactly in size, and for the cap on the child with a head circumference of 40 cm, exactly 100 loops are required.

Some subtleties

To calculate the number of rows, you need to proceed exactly as with the loops, only by unfolding the sample at a right angle. There are some features of measurements knitted knitting needles, which are worth considering, they will help in the work.

To calculate the loops in a row, it is better to use the side where there are more face loops, and to count the rows it is more convenient to use the side with the back loops. For crocheting or machine, this way of calculating the number of loops is also suitable.

With basic measurements, everything seems simple, but needlewomen do not always knit only straight canvases, like scarves and covers, and the pattern is not always the same for the whole product. Below we will consider loop calculations for some particular cases, for example, changing patterns, knitting triangles, and other figures with discounts and loop increments.

Combining different patterns

With knitting different patterns is quite simple. You need to calculate the number of loops for each pattern, which is necessary for the overall size. Further, when switching between drawings, the number of working loops should be divided into the difference between the calculations and even in two. For example, one drawing requires 100 loops, and the next one after it is 105. Thus, we need to add 5 loops so that they merge into a common canvas. By dividing 100 by 5, we get 20, half is 10, so we start adding one extra for the new drawing from the 10th loop every 20 loops. The same calculation is used for reduction. Both patterns will converge well, without losing the center of the canvas and preserving the overall size.

How to calculate the number of hinges for the hats with knitting needles

For hats, the general principle of calculations described above is suitable, but it is necessary to take into account some peculiarities of knitting. First, the needlewoman should be able to correctly take measurements from the head. The circumference of the head should be considered at the top of the forehead, the lobes of the ears and the lower occipital lobe. The minimum width of the canvas cloth will be equal to half the dimension from the forehead to the occiput. So you can immediately determine the number of rows. Some prefer to make the cap more voluminous in order to hide the hair, or vice versa more rounded and fitting for the male and children's models. Also it is necessary to determine the width of the folded elastic band, if any, and add the necessary rows for it.

Knit cap can be seamlessly or by making knitted stitches that connect the product across the entire width (usually done from the rear) or tighten the top with decrements. This does not affect how to calculate the number of loops for the hats with knitting needles. On 2/3 of the cloth + width of the folded elastic band, the cap is knitted without changes in the number of loops, and after that you need to divide the loops into 6-8 equal parts for the purpose of reducing the bottom of the product. For each part, you need to calculate the number of decremented loops, for this you need to divide all the loops of each of the parts into the planned remaining length of the bottom of the cap. The resulting number of loops should be reduced in each row. For example, we got 8 pieces of 15 loops and we need to reduce them to zero for 12 rows. 15/12 = 1,25, then in each row you need to remove 1 loop, alternating them on the right and left. The remaining 3 loops need to be spread over the last rows for a smooth rounding. Thus, on the right, we have to remove the loops in all rows, except for 2, 4, 6, 8, and 12, on the left in all even rows and in addition in the 9th and 11th. So the top detail will not be warped.

How to calculate the number of loops for a sweater and other products with non-rectangular patterns

Let's talk and sweaters. These are more complex products, knitting which requires some skills. The main problem, how to calculate the number of loops for a sweater, are the patterns of the necks and sleeves. To calculate the straight bevel, for example, along the length of the sleeve, you need to divide the number of rows by the difference between the loops at the beginning and end of the bevel. For example, for 100 rows of sleeves, you need to reduce the number of loops from 45 to 30. With direct calculation, you will get a decrease by 1 loop every 6.67 rows, if you round to 7 and start decreasing the loops from the 2nd row, then you will get 30 conceived loops at the end . The tops and curvilinear edges of the product are best depicted on checkered paper, taking one side of the cage for a knitted loop or for 4 knitted loops depending on the density of the fabric. Drawing on an sheet of paper an approximate bend on the cells, you can easily calculate the number of loops in each row.

Count the hinges for socks

How to calculate the number of loops for socks? To do this, use the summary tables below.

For a fine toe yarn (about 400 m per 100 g) and spokes 2-2.5 mm in diameter

For yarn of average thickness (300 m per 100 g) and spokes 3 mm in diameter

Arithmetic in Needlework

Knitting does not seem difficult, until you strive for excellence, but that's how they create really great things for themselves and their loved ones. I hope our small mathematical calculations will help to connect comfortable and beautiful products. Over time, the experience will tell you other nuances when calculating loops, but the basic methods how to calculate the number of loops for socks, sweaters, scarves and other knitted things will remain the same, this is confirmed not by one generation of needlewomen. Remember that the beginning of knitting of serious things should be accompanied by a detailed plan.