Starting chain calculator

Find a starting chain that fits the repeat in your pattern.

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Your pattern’s rule

Starting chains

What do you know?

Target chain countThe count you want to get close to, before extra turning chains.

Repeat sizeThe 6 in “multiples of 6 + 2”.

Extra chains in the ruleThe +2. Add this once, not after every repeat.

Additional turning chainsLeave at 0 if the rule already includes them.

Use a rule explicitly written for the starting chain. A working-stitch multiple may use different extras. We do not infer either from stitch height.

Your result, explained

Enter your details and use the button. We’ll show the answer and how it was worked out.

A small blanket size example

Illustrative values: a 50 × 40 cm target, 20 working stitches and 10 rows per 10 cm, a working-stitch repeat of 6n + 2, and a 10 × 10 cm swatch weighing 5 g. With 10% extra and a 100 g / 200 m ball band, the lower option is 98 working stitches, about 49 × 40 cm and 107.8 g / 215.6 m.

If your pattern confirms a foundation adjustment of 0 and one separate turning chain, that option needs 99 starting chains. The example leaves this confirmation unchecked. Replace the illustrative values with your own measured swatch; this is not a physically tested blanket.

How the calculation works

Starting chain = (repeat size × whole repeats) + extra chains + any additional turning chains you enter. We require at least one complete repeat.

For a target of 100 and a rule of 6n + 2, the surrounding valid counts are 98 and 104. The +2 is used once. With 0 extra turning chains, those are your starting-chain options.

The target is compared before additional turning chains. An exact match gives one option. If the target is smaller than a full repeat, only the smallest valid option appears.

Before you start

Does “+2” include the turning chains?

Sometimes. Read that pattern’s instructions. If they already include the turning chains, leave “Additional turning chains” at 0. There is no universal extra that works for every stitch pattern.

Will this give me the width I want?

Target-count mode finds valid starting-chain counts. Target-size mode estimates working stitches and width from your measured swatch in the same stitch pattern, yarn and hook. A starting-chain estimate also needs your pattern’s confirmed foundation mapping. Neither mode guarantees the finished width or fit.

What if my pattern gives a working-stitch multiple?

Use the author’s foundation-chain instructions to determine the correct starting-chain rule. Do not assume the chain and working-stitch counts are interchangeable.