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Decrease 3 stitches evenly across 45 stitches
The answer
In the round: [K13, K2tog] 3 times
Flat (balanced row): K6, [K2tog, K13] 2 times, K2tog, K7
Check: the round uses 45 stitches and ends with 42. The flat row uses 45 and ends with 42.
Markers (in the round): place a marker after stitch 13, 28, 43 of the old round, then work each K2tog just after a marker.
How it is worked out
You have 45 stitches and need 42, so you work 3 K2tog moves. Each K2tog uses 2 stitches, so 6 stitches go into decreases and 39 stay plain: (45 − 6) ÷ 3 = 13 exactly, so every section is the same.
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Questions people ask
How do I decrease 3 stitches evenly across 45?
Work 3 sections, each made of plain stitches and one K2tog. In the round: [K13, K2tog] 3 times. You end with 42 stitches.
How do I decrease 3 stitches evenly in a flat row of 45?
Split one section between the two edges so the shaping sits away from the edges: K6, [K2tog, K13] 2 times, K2tog, K7. You end with 42 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.