Row Counting Guides
Real problems knitters and crocheters run into — not stitch dictionaries. If you've lost your place, you're juggling three projects, or your lace pattern looks off, there's probably a guide here for it.
And if you'd rather not count anything by hand at all, our free row counter does it for you.
When Something Goes Wrong
What to Do When You Lose Count Mid-Project
You know roughly where you are, but not exactly — and 'roughly' isn't good enough for shaping rows. Here's how to recover an accurate count.
Read the guideTracking Multiple Projects Without Mixing Up Your Counts
One counter per project sounds simple until you're three projects deep and can't remember which clicker belongs to which bag.
Read the guideCounting Rows in Colorwork Without Losing Your Place
Colorwork asks you to track two things at once: the color pattern and the row count. Here's how to stop one from sabotaging the other.
Read the guideKeeping Shaping Rows Straight During Increases and Decreases
Shaping asks you to hold two counts in your head simultaneously. Drop either one and the shaping goes crooked.
Read the guideHow to Make a Second Sock or Sleeve Match the First
The pattern is identical for both pieces. The only thing that differs is whether you tracked the row count the same way both times.
Read the guidePicking a Project Back Up After Weeks (or Months) Away
The yarn is right where you left it. The row count in your head is not. Here's how to reconstruct it and get moving again.
Read the guidePattern Repeats vs. Individual Rows: Which One Are You Supposed to Count?
A pattern can ask you to track your row number and your repeat number at the same time. Confusing the two is a common, avoidable mistake.
Read the guideKeeping Blanket Squares or Granny Squares the Same Size
If your granny squares don't line up when you lay them out, the culprit is usually an inconsistent round count, not your tension.
Read the guideCounting by Stitch & Craft
How to Count Rows in Garter Stitch
Garter stitch shows one ridge for every two rows knitted. Miss that detail and your count will be off by half.
Read the guideHow to Count Rows in Stockinette Stitch
Every knit stitch in stockinette leaves a clean V on the right side. Counting them is simple once you know which side to read.
Read the guideHow to Count Rows in Crochet
Crochet rows are easier to see than knit rows, but the foundation chain trips up almost everyone at least once.
Read the guideA Beginner's Guide to Counting Knitting and Crochet Rows
If you're new to knitting or crochet, row counting is one skill worth getting right early — it saves you from ripping back work later.
Read the guideRows vs. Rounds: Counting Circular Knitting Correctly
In the round, there's no wrong side to flip to and no turning — which changes the counting math more than most patterns explain.
Read the guideCounting Rows in Lace When There's No Visible Ridge to Count
Yarn overs and decreases mean lace fabric doesn't show clean, countable rows the way stockinette does. Here's what to rely on instead.
Read the guideHow to Count Rows in Tunisian Crochet
Tunisian crochet rows are made of two passes, not one. Counting only the forward pass will leave you at half your actual row count.
Read the guideCounting Rib Stitch (1x1, 2x2) Without Losing the Pattern
Rib stitch has two things to track at once: your row count, and where you are within the knit-purl repeat across each row.
Read the guide