Last updated February 2026
Since MOD and QUOTIENT went down well, I’m back with another Excel formula for knitwear design: MROUND. This is a great one for setting and calculating pattern repeats.
MROUND has a lot of depth and conditions you can add onto the basic function I’ll discuss here. I’ll let you discover these for yourself! You may not need them, but it’s useful to know they’re there.
The formula
The format is: =MROUND(number, multiple)
number: the cell reference or number you want to round;
multiple: the value to which you want to round the number. This can be a cell reference or a number.
MROUND Example 1: Clean multiples
If we type in: =MROUND(17,4)
we get 16. 16 is the closest multiple of 4 to 17, so our calculation has given us 16.
If we’d typed in 18 instead of 17, MROUND would have returned 20. If the value is in the middle, the default is always to round up. You can override this manually if needed.
As all knitters know, where there’s a pattern repeat, there’s a multiple. To apply MROUND to a stitch pattern, you just need to identify the repeat multiple.
MROUND Example 2: Multiples with extras
Example 1 is all fine and dandy if you’re knitting in the round. If you’re knitting flat, there’ll usually by some stitches on either side of the repeat multiple to centre the pattern.
To illustrate, let’s say the multiple of 4 above pertains to seed stitch rib:
Row 1: K3, *p1, k3; repeat from * to end.
Row 2: K1, *p1, k3; repeat from * to last 2 stitches, p1, k1.
To set this pattern symmetrically, we’d need to add 3 to the repeat multiple as per the instructions, because there are 3 stitches outside the repeated section between the asterisk and semicolon:
=MROUND(17,4)+3
This returns a value of 19. 16 is still the nearest multiple of 4 to 17, so Excel has added 3 to that total.
Discretionary MROUND notes for knitters
Some of you will have noticed that 15 is also an acceptable figure; it’s two away from 17, just like 19 is. This is where you need to make your own decisions about what’s best! The software has done all it can for you; you’re the designer, so you’re in charge. Look at your project in context; if you have a range of sizes to grade, look at the figures yielded for the adjacent sizes.
You could also input -1 instead of +3, but it’s best practice (and best for your sanity) to input the formula in a more literal way. We knitters are more likely to understand extra stitches when reading pattern instructions, and it’s easier for you to transcribe. There are 3 stitches in addition to the repeat multiple; 3 stitches will be shown outside the box if you’re using a chart; so +3 makes more sense than -1.
Last words on MROUND, Excel, and maths for knitwear design
I also share more about applied maths for knitwear design in these two taster courses:
Pattern Drafting: Applied maths and the geometry of sleeves | Knitwear Design Initiation taster course
Knitwear Design Initiation | Pattern Drafting taster course
This knitwear design short course is especially recommended if you want to design sweaters, cardigans, and other types of pullover.
This taster course on pattern drafting for knitwear covers two important principles: applied maths and sleeve lift. Understanding human anatomy and how the arm moves gives you the perfect foundation for designing all styles of sleeve.
Knowing how to use mathematical formulas to calculate the stitches and rows you need for a pattern is key. Why mathematical formulas? You’ll need to use the MSG equation triangle to calculate the dimensions needed for EVERY knitting pattern you’ll design, whether for yourself or others. Take a sneak peek at MSG here if you’re more of a reader.
A mix of theory and practical makes the knitting pattern drafting taster course stand out. Be prepared to cut and stick pieces of paper together to create mini patterns or toiles!
Knitwear Design Initiation | Pattern grading taster course
You don’t need to be a maths whiz to be good at grading. The only mathematical principle you need to grasp is algorithms.
Algorithms are what you plug into Excel (if you’re using a spreadsheet), or use as a basis for visuals, if you prefer to draw.
The visual relationships that make your design successful are the secret to understanding how best to grade your pattern. Seeing your beautiful work as a composition – not as something to ‘scale up or down’ to fit different bodies – and appreciating the depths of its moving parts will help you to work out where to begin with grading knitting patterns.
All the information you need to grade your knitting pattern is contained within the pattern itself, because algorithms = patterns. You just need to extract this information using the right processes, and this 1-hour course will give you a start.
Grading, algorithms and visual maths | Knitwear Design Initiation taster course
I hope this was helpful. Let me know how you get on with using MROUND in Excel for knitwear design, and if you’d like any more tidbits from Excel.
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