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Decrease 2 stitches evenly across 40 stitches
The answer
In the round: [K18, K2tog] 2 times
Flat (balanced row): K9, K2tog, K18, K2tog, K9
Check: the round uses 40 stitches and ends with 38. The flat row uses 40 and ends with 38.
Markers (in the round): place a marker after stitch 18, 38 of the old round, then work each K2tog just after a marker.
How it is worked out
You have 40 stitches and need 38, so you work 2 K2tog moves. Each K2tog uses 2 stitches, so 4 stitches go into decreases and 36 stay plain: (40 − 4) ÷ 2 = 18 exactly, so every section is the same.
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Questions people ask
How do I decrease 2 stitches evenly across 40?
Work 2 sections, each made of plain stitches and one K2tog. In the round: [K18, K2tog] 2 times. You end with 38 stitches.
How do I decrease 2 stitches evenly in a flat row of 40?
Split one section between the two edges so the shaping sits away from the edges: K9, K2tog, K18, K2tog, K9. You end with 38 stitches.
Does it work for crochet?
Yes. Tap Crochet (US) or Crochet (UK) in the calculator on this page. A crochet decrease uses 2 stitches of the row, so the plain counts change; the calculator works them out.