Counting rows in crochet trips people up because the stitches do not line up as neatly as they look. The reliable way is to lay the piece flat and count the rows up the side edge, one V or ridge per row, rather than counting stitches across. Better still, tap a counter as you go so you never have to recount.
Why crochet rows are hard to count
Crochet fabric is dense, and finished stitches sit close together, so the rows blur into one another once you have a few inches done. Add a tea break or a TV episode and you genuinely cannot tell where you stopped. The fix is to count the right way, and to record each row instead of trusting your memory.
How to count crochet rows on flat work
- Lay the swatch flat, right side up, without stretching it.
- Look at the side edge, where each row ends. Each row shows as one clear bump or V.
- Count those bumps from the foundation up to your hook. That total is your row count.
- For tall stitches, count by height, one row per row of posts.
Does the turning chain count as a row?
It depends. With single crochet, the turning chain is usually just a step up and does not count as a stitch or a row. With taller stitches like double crochet, the turning chain often counts as the first stitch. The only rule that matters is to do what your pattern says and stay consistent all the way up.
Counting rows in the round
Working in a spiral, like amigurumi, has no seam to count along. Mark the first stitch of each round with a stitch marker and move it up every round. Then count the marked rounds, or tap your counter once each time you pass the marker.
Never lose your place with Knittle
Knittle is a row counter for crochet and knitting. Tap once per row or round, set a target to watch the progress ring fill, and put your work down without losing your place. The count lives on your iPhone, iPad and Apple Watch and stays in sync, so you never have to count from the bottom again.
