Counting crochet stitches can feel confusing at first, especially at the end of a row. A simple routine makes your work more consistent and catches mistakes early.
Find the top of the stitch
Look for the small V shapes along the upper edge of your work. Each completed stitch often has a top V. Where you insert your hook for the next row depends on the pattern and technique.
Understand turning chains
Some patterns count the turning chain as a stitch, while others do not. Read that note first. A turning chain that counts as a stitch affects how you count and where the last stitch goes.
Use stitch markers
Put a removable marker into the first and last stitch of each row. For long rows, mark every ten or twenty stitches. Do not rely only on memory.
Count slowly on your next row
- Lay the work flat in good light.
- Find the first stitch according to your pattern.
- Follow the top V of each stitch across the row.
- Say each number aloud or track groups with markers.
- Check the total against the pattern before turning.
Counting in the round
Mark the first stitch in each round and move the marker as you begin the next. Spiral rounds do not typically have a visible joining seam, so this marker is particularly helpful.
Mistakes to watch for
- Accidentally counting the turning chain twice.
- Skipping the last stitch because its V is near the edge.
- Adding a stitch into a turning chain that should not count.
- Losing track at the join of a round.
If a circle is starting to cup or wave, see why crochet circles curl.