How To Count Rows In Knitting

In this guide, you will learn how to count rows in knitting, including garter stitch, stockinette stitch, ribbing, seed stitch, cables, and knitting in the round.

Knowing how to count your rows is a useful skill for every knitter.

It helps you follow a pattern accurately, keep matching pieces the same length, identify mistakes, and work out where you are if you have put a project down for a while.

Once you learn how to recognize the stitches in your knitted fabric, counting rows becomes much easier.

How To Count Rows In Knitting

To count your knitting rows:

1. Lay your knitting flat with the right side facing you.
2. Find a clear vertical column of stitches.
3. Begin just above the cast-on edge.
4. Count each stitch vertically as one row.
5. Continue towards the needle, following the same column of stitches.

It can help to use the tip of a knitting needle or a tapestry needle to point to each stitch as you count.

The appearance of the rows will vary depending on the stitch pattern, so you may need to look for V-shaped knit stitches, purl bumps, or garter stitch ridges.

Does The Row On The Needle Count?

The live stitches on your needle represent the most recently worked row.

When counting all the rows you have completed from the cast-on edge, include the live stitches as the latest row.

Do not add another row for the row you are about to work.

For example, if you have completed 10 rows, the stitches currently sitting on your needle belong to row 10.

Your next row will be row 11.

Does The Cast-On Row Count As Row One?

In most knitting patterns, the cast-on does not count as row one.

It creates the foundation for your knitting, and row one is the first row you work after casting on.

However, some patterns may count the cast-on differently, so always check the instructions for the pattern you are following.

Related Post – How To Cast On Knitting

Is Binding Off Considered A Row?

Binding off, also known as casting off, is worked as a finishing row and can add a small amount of height to your knitting.

If a pattern tells you to work a certain number of rows and then bind off, complete those rows first and work the bind-off afterwards.

Only include the bind-off in the row count if the pattern specifically tells you to do so.

Related Post: How To Cast Off Knitting For Total Beginners (Step by Step)

How To Count Garter Stitch Rows

Garter stitch creates raised horizontal ridges on both sides of the fabric.

Each complete garter stitch ridge represents two knitted rows.

To count your rows:

1. Count the number of complete ridges.
2. Multiply that number by two.

For example, five complete garter stitch ridges equal 10 knitted rows.

If you have stopped partway through the next ridge, you may need to add one extra row.

Keeping a row counter nearby can make this easier.

How To Count Stockinette Stitch Rows

On the right side of stockinette stitch, the knitted stitches look like small letter Vs.

Choose one vertical column and count each V from the cast-on edge towards the needle.

Each V represents one row.

The live stitch on the needle is the most recently completed row, although it may not yet look like a fully formed V.

Try to stay within one vertical column as you count.

Moving sideways across the fabric will give you the stitch count rather than the row count.

How To Count Reverse Stockinette Rows

Reverse stockinette has purl bumps on the right side of the fabric.

Choose one vertical column and count each purl bump as one row.

Work upwards from the cast-on edge towards the needle.

You can also turn the work over and count the V-shaped stitches on the stockinette side if you find those easier to see.

How To Count Rows In Ribbing

Ribbing contains alternating columns of knit and purl stitches.

Gently stretch the fabric sideways so that the knit columns are easier to see.

Choose one knit column and count the V-shaped stitches vertically. Each V represents one row.

Do not count across all the knit and purl columns.

That will tell you how many stitches are in the row, not how many rows you have worked.

How To Count Rows In Seed Stitch Or Moss Stitch

Seed stitch and moss stitch contain alternating knit and purl stitches, which can make the rows harder to see.

Choose one vertical column near the center or edge of the fabric and follow the stitches upwards.

Each knit stitch or purl bump in that column represents one row.

For highly textured stitch patterns, it is often easier to keep track as you knit.

You can use:

• A row counter
• Tally marks on your printed pattern
• A knitting app
• A locking stitch marker placed every 10 rows
• A short piece of contrasting scrap yarn

These markers give you a reliable starting point if you need to recount your rows later.

How To Count Purl Rows

A purl stitch appears as a small horizontal bump.

To count purl rows, choose one vertical column and count each bump as one row.

Avoid counting along a horizontal line, as this will count the stitches across the row instead.

If the reverse side shows stockinette stitch, you can turn your work over and count the V-shaped knit stitches instead.

How To Count Rows When Knitting In The Round

When knitting in the round, each completed round forms one new horizontal round of stitches.

Place a stitch marker at the beginning of the round and update your row counter every time you pass it.

You can also place a locking stitch marker or a short piece of contrasting yarn in the fabric every five or 10 rounds.

This gives you an easy visual reference if you need to check your count.

Always check whether your pattern uses the words “row” and “round” differently.

A row is generally worked back and forth, while a round travels continuously around the project.

Related Post – How To Join Knitting In The Round With Circular Knitting Needles

How To Count Rows In Cable Knitting

Cable crossings can make individual rows difficult to see.

The easiest method is to find an ordinary column of knit or purl stitches beside the cable and count vertically along that column.

You can also use the cable crossings as markers.

For example, if the cable crosses every six rows, count the completed cable repeats and then count any additional rows worked after the most recent crossing.

A locking stitch marker placed in each cable-crossing row can make this much easier.

Related Post – 8 Cable Stitch Knitting Patterns

Easy Ways To Keep Track Of Your Knitting Rows

You do not always need to recount your knitted fabric.

Keeping track as you work is usually quicker and more reliable.

Try using:

• A digital or manual row counter
• Tally marks in a notebook
• A notes app on your phone
• A sticky note placed beneath the current pattern row
• Locking stitch markers every five or 10 rows
• Contrasting scrap yarn threaded through a completed row

Choose whichever method feels easiest for you.

The most important thing is to update it consistently at the end of every row or round.