Knitting & crochet calculator
Sleeve Shaping Calculator
Enter upper-arm and wrist measurements plus gauge to calculate sleeve decrease rows and shaping intervals.
Sleeve shaping turns a larger upper-arm stitch count into a smaller wrist stitch count over the available sleeve length. The difference between those two stitch counts determines how many shaping rows you need.
This calculator converts the upper-arm and wrist circumferences into stitch counts, converts sleeve length into rows, and spaces the decrease rows as evenly as possible. It assumes paired decreases by default, removing two stitches on each shaping row.
Worked example: a 14-inch upper arm and 8-inch wrist at 20 stitches per 4 inches gives 70 upper-arm stitches and 40 wrist stitches. Removing 30 stitches with paired decreases takes 15 decrease rows.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this work for increases as well as decreases?
Yes, the same spacing idea works from cuff to upper arm. Read the shaping rows as increase rows if you are working from wrist to armhole.
Why are decreases usually paired?
Sleeves are often shaped on both sides of a seam or marker, so each shaping row removes two stitches. Change the stitches-per-shaping-row value if your pattern removes a different number.
Should sleeve shaping include cuff ribbing?
Usually no. Measure the shaping length after the cuff unless the cuff itself is part of the taper.
What if my stitch pattern needs a multiple?
Round the upper and wrist stitch counts to usable pattern multiples before finalizing the shaping plan.