How to count rows in knitting and crochet without losing your place
One sleeve longer than the other, or "a longer and shorter sock", usually comes down to a row or two that slipped by. Counting rows is two separate skills: reading the rows already in your fabric, and keeping a count as you go. This guide covers how to read rows in knitting and crochet, the pros and cons of each way to track them, and what to do when you lose count.
How to read rows in your fabric
In stockinette, each V on the knit side is one row. Pick one column of stitches and count the Vs from bottom to top. The cast-on row doesn't form a V, so it's usually not counted, and whether the loops on your needle count as a row varies by pattern — pick one rule and stick to it.
In garter stitch (knit every row), each horizontal ridge is two rows. Count the ridges and multiply by two.
In crochet, each row shows its stitch height. With tall stitches like double crochet, each post is one row, which makes counting easy. Single crochet worked back and forth forms a ridge on one side for every two rows. Follow your pattern on whether the turning chain counts as a stitch.
Ways to keep count, compared
There are several ways to track rows as you knit, and many knitters combine them. What matters most is recording every row with the same action at the same moment.
| Method | Good for | Downside |
|---|---|---|
| Pencil and paper tally | No tools needed, room for notes | You have to put the needles down; paper gets lost |
| Locking stitch markers | Stays in the fabric, so you can recount later | Shows checkpoints, not your current row |
| Barrel counter or clicker | Close at hand and simple | Easy to forget to turn; one per project |
| Row counter app | Keeps rows, notes and time per project | Small buttons or ads can get in the way |
Five habits that keep you from losing count
Most lost counts happen at the same moments: turning the work at the end of a row, and getting interrupted.
- Record the row as soon as you finish it, before you turn the work. A fixed order like "+1, then turn" stops double counts and skipped rows.
- Clip a locking stitch marker to the edge every 10 rows. It gives you a checkpoint if you ever mis-tap your counter.
- Decide up front whether you start at row 0 or row 1. Some patterns count the cast-on as row 1 and some don't.
- Write down the rows that matter before you get there, like "Row 48: start crown decreases".
- Keep a separate count for every project on the needles. Sharing one counter between projects almost always ends in a mix-up.
Lost count? Recount from the fabric
If your counter and your knitting disagree, trust the knitting. You only need to count the rows above your last stitch marker.
For stockinette, count the Vs up from the marked row; for garter, count ridges and double it. Set your counter to the result and carry on recording from there. Stretching the fabric slightly under good light makes the Vs and ridges much easier to see.
Counting with Rowmark
In Rowmark the whole bottom half of the screen is a +1 button, so you tap anywhere without looking down. Count with the volume keys when your hands are busy, and fix a double count with −1 or Undo. After recounting from your fabric, long-press the number to type the row you're on.
New projects start at row 0 or row 1, and the screen stays on while you knit. Row notes like "Row 48: start crown decreases" pop up when you reach that row. Projects are unlimited, each with its own yarn color, and a backup file moves everything to a new phone. Nothing is locked and there is no subscription.
+1, then turn — make counting rows a habit
Get Rowmark on Google Play