EPS Calculator — Elizabeth Zimmermann Percentage System

EPS is a method for designing seamless yoke sweaters from a single key number, K — the body stitch count at the chest (your stitches-per-cm times the finished chest circumference, which equals 100%). Every other stitch count is a percentage of K: upper arm = 33%, wrist = 20%, underarm = 8%, neck opening = 40%. The system sets stitch proportions, not finished lengths in centimetres — body and sleeve lengths are taken from the wearer.

EPS works well for standard adult proportions. For children the neck opening percentage may need to be larger (45-50%), and for plus sizes the upper-arm percentage is often nudged up a little. Use EPS as a starting point for the stitch counts and customise as needed. Remember that lengths are always taken from the wearer, not from a percentage.

Yes. Calculate exactly as for a pullover. For the front opening, add a steek or button band. The body, sleeve, and yoke proportions remain the same whether the garment opens at the front or not.

Cast on the neck stitches (40% of body). Place 4 raglan markers. Increase 8 stitches every other round until you reach body width (100%) and upper arm width (33%). Separate sleeves and body at the underarm.

Elizabeth Zimmermann (1910-1999) was a British-born knitting teacher and author who revolutionised modern hand knitting. She popularised circular knitting, the percentage system, and creative knitting techniques through her books and PBS television series.