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Decrease 6 stitches evenly across 72 stitches
The answer
In the round: [K10, K2tog] 6 times
Flat (balanced row): K5, [K2tog, K10] 5 times, K2tog, K5
Check: the round uses 72 stitches and ends with 66. The flat row uses 72 and ends with 66.
Markers (in the round): place a marker after stitch 10, 22, 34, 46, 58, 70 of the old round, then work each K2tog just after a marker.
How it is worked out
You have 72 stitches and need 66, so you work 6 K2tog moves. Each K2tog uses 2 stitches, so 12 stitches go into decreases and 60 stay plain: (72 − 12) ÷ 6 = 10 exactly, so every section is the same.
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Questions people ask
How do I decrease 6 stitches evenly across 72?
Work 6 sections, each made of plain stitches and one K2tog. In the round: [K10, K2tog] 6 times. You end with 66 stitches.
How do I decrease 6 stitches evenly in a flat row of 72?
Split one section between the two edges so the shaping sits away from the edges: K5, [K2tog, K10] 5 times, K2tog, K5. You end with 66 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.