Email from Claudia Krisniski, dated 28 Nov 2006

Hi David

I received your letter referencing my BARENEEDLE blog and using EXCEL for pattern sizing/computation. Knitting is totally math based. And it is popular with high school kids who aren't addicted already to passive entertainment. It is an excellent teaching medium for hands-on learning. I teach to home schooled kids locally all the time to get in their math credits.

First of all, good luck with your work. Love your website!

Here is a website that might have ideas for you, also: http://www.woollythoughts.com/.

There are basic formulas in knitting a sweater or hat or socks, that show the relationship of parts of the body based on the biggest or "K" number for any garment. (I highly recommend checking out KNITTING WITHOUT TEARS by Elizabeth Zimmermann, who is the guru of this technique). One takes yarn and knitting needles and works a swatch (working on 20 stitches...knitting and purling a few rows in a stitch pattern to make a square shape for measuring). For instance, if 20 stitches measures 4" across, then the KNITTING GAUGE is 5 stitches =1 inch. K is the GAUGE x INCHES AROUND a garment. For a 44" sweater, K would be 44 x 5 stitches = 220, which is the number of stitches one needs to use to make a sweater that fits. K is then sliced and diced as follows:

K = 220 stitches for circumference of sweater
90% K = bottom hem of sweater (stitches to be cast on)
10% K = stitches to be increased above bottom hem
25% K = number of stitches for sleeve cuff to be cast on
sleeve stitches are increased at the rate of 2 every 4 rounds until reaching....
40% K = number of stitches for upper arm circumference
40% K = also is number of stitches for neck when decreasing of the top shoulder area is accomplished
top shoulder areas are decreased in 5 stages:
20% decrease (knit 3 stitches, knit 2 stitches together) is worked in 5
places until the 40% neck number is close to being achieved.

This style is easy to plug into an EXCEL spreadsheet, and have all stitch numbers computed. I have enclosed a RAGLAN SWEATER TEMPLATE that is all set to go. I have highlighted the variable K number in red, so you can adjust and see how it affects each size when the KNITTING GAUGE changes.

I hope you can find some problems for your teaching in all this stuff.