CROCHET

How to keep track of rows in crochet

Crochet rows are easy to lose track of, especially with tall stitches or when working in a spiral. A few habits make counting much easier.

Does the turning chain count as a stitch?

At the start of a row, you chain a few stitches to reach the height of the next row. Whether that chain counts as a stitch changes your stitch count, so check what your pattern says. In US patterns, as a general rule:

• Single crochet: ch 1, which usually doesn’t count as a stitch.
• Half double crochet: ch 2. Patterns vary, so check.
• Double crochet: ch 3, which usually counts as the first stitch.

If your piece gets wider or narrower as you go, a turning chain counted the wrong way is a common cause.

Count at the same moment every row

Tap your counter, or make a tally mark, right after the last stitch of a row, before you turn. Then your counter always shows rows finished.

Working in the round

For joined rounds, you finish each round with a slip stitch, so it’s clear where it ends. Amigurumi is often worked in a continuous spiral, with no join. Put a stitch marker in the first stitch of the round, and move it up each time you come back to it. Count a round each time you move the marker.

Counting rows in your fabric

Lost count? Count the rows you’ve made:

• Double crochet rows are tall and easy to count: one row of posts is one row.
• Single crochet rows are short and close together. Count along one edge, or count the lines of stitches from the bottom.
• Put a stitch marker in every 10th row so you only have to count from the last marker.

Repeats in crochet patterns

Crochet patterns use the same repeat notation as knitting: “*sc in next 2 sts, 2 sc in next st; rep from * around”. See how to read pattern repeats. Hook sizes are in the crochet hook size chart.