How the pick-up plan works
A vertical edge is made of rows, while the new band is measured in stitches. They are not necessarily the same size. This planner compares your new band’s stitch gauge with the body’s row gauge over the same measured distance.
The target is rounded to a whole stitch. If your pattern already gives a count, choose “I know my target count” and keep that total instead. The planner spreads that exact number across the available positions.
At each edge position, it compares the rounded cumulative target with the previous position. The difference is the number of stitches to pick up there. This keeps the running count within half a stitch of the ideal distribution instead of leaving all the rounding at one end.
A worked example
For 120 edge rows, a new-band gauge of 22 stitches and a body gauge of 30 rows over the same span, the target is 120 × 22 ÷ 30 = 88 stitches. Four sections of 30 edge rows each receive 22 pickups. The visual map shows exactly where to skip a position.
Before you pick up
- Block and measure the body and band swatches in the way you will finish the garment.
- Count only the row positions you intend to use. Corners or reserved stitches should be planned separately.
- Place markers at the section boundaries and check the count as you work.
- Try a short section and check that it lies comfortably. Arithmetic cannot account for your tension or every edge structure.
This is an arithmetic placement aid, not a complete knitting pattern. Curved necklines may need several sections with different pickup rates. Do not count one garter ridge as one row: a ridge normally represents two rows.
Questions before you start
Why not always pick up three stitches for every four rows?
That familiar ratio is a starting point, not a universal fit. Different stitch patterns, needle sizes and blocked gauges can need a different ratio.
What if my target is greater than the number of rows?
Some positions will contain multiple pickups. The tool displays them, but you must check that the edge structure and your technique support this.
Can I use a cast-on or bound-off edge?
Use the exact-count mode and treat each usable edge stitch as a position. The gauge mode on this page is designed for a vertical row edge.
Further reading
Original calculations and diagrams by Stitch Spaced. These independent teaching resources provide useful craft context; they do not endorse this tool.
Method version 1.0 · Updated October 23, 2026