How to Count Rows in Knitting

At some point, we all need to know how to count our knitting rows.

We’ve all been there, right?  One moment you’re snuggled up, juggling a Netflix binge session with your knitting, and then – boom – you lose track. Was that the 10th row or the 15th?

Or maybe you started a row super focused, chanting ‘row 11, row 11, row 11…’ like a meditative mantra. But then, oh look, a squirrel! And just like that, you’re lost again.

Yup, those things have definitely happened to me more than once!

That’s why knowing how to count rows in knitting is an important skill for any knitter to have.

But it’s about more than keeping tabs on your progress.

Knowing how to properly count your rows and read your knitting also makes sure that you’re following your pattern properly. It’s an essential little skill that helps your final project turn out the right size and length. 

So let’s take a look at how to count rows in knitting.

At a Glance: How to Count Rows in Knitting

At a very basic level, when you’re counting rows in your knitting, all you need to do is look for the V-shaped stitches that run vertically from the bottom, right up to your current row on the needle.

Start your count just above the cast-on row and keep going up, following one single column. And don’t forget to count the stitch on your needle.

Each little V represents a single stitch in one row, so the number of Vs in one column equals the number of rows you’ve worked. 

Understanding The Basics

If you’re new to knitting, counting rows can be a bit confusing. 

But before you can learn how to count rows in knitting there are a few things you’ll need to understand.

First things first, you need to know the difference between knit and purl stitches.

These are basically just loops on the needle, but they are the fundamental building blocks of knitting. And once you can recognise them it becomes so much easier to read your knitting stitches. 

Knit stitches make up that classic V-shape on the surface of your knitting, while purl stitches create those little bumps. By combining these two basic stitches, you can create various stitch patterns like garter stitch, stockinette stitch, ribbing and more.

All stitches are formed by a loop of yarn passing through another loop. When you knit, you’re creating a series of these interlocking loops.

Let’s take a closer look at the knit stitch.

A knit stitch is created when you create a new loop by inserting the needle into an existing loop and pulling the yarn through from the back to the front.

Because you’re pulling the new yarn loop forward, the top of the old loop (the bump) ends up at the back, and the legs of the new stitch sit at the front, creating the characteristic V shape we associate with the knit stitch.

Purl stitches are basically knit stitches facing backwards. You’re pulling the new loop through the front to the back. This time, because you’re pulling the loop through to the back of your work, the bump ends up at the front, and the V is at the back.

What is a Row in Knitting?

A row in knitting is a horizontal line of stitches. 

When you knit across your needles from one end to the other, you’ve made a line, or a ‘row’, of stitches. So, every time you finish knitting all the stitches on your needle and switch to a new needle, you’ve completed one row.

Identifying the Right and Wrong Side

If you need to count your rows, one of the first things you’ll need to figure out is which side of your knitting is the right side.

Counting is done on the right side of your knitting, so being able to tell the difference between the right side and the wrong side of your work is important for counting rows accurately.

The right side is the side that will be visible when your knitted piece is worn or used. It’s usually the prettier, neater side, but sometimes it isn’t so obvious. 

Right side: When knitting in stockinette stitch (knitting on the right side and purling on the wrong side), the right side has a smooth texture with knit stitches resembling “V” shapes.

Wrong side: The purl side typically has a bumpy texture, as the purl stitches create horizontal bumps.

Methods for Counting Rows in Different Stitch Patterns

Counting rows in different stitch patterns can be tricky, but with a bit of guidance you’ll be able to count rows in any stitch. 

In this section, we’re going to cover what you should look for if you need to count rows in stockinette stitch, reverse stockinette or purl rows, garter stitch, and more complex patterns like cables, ribbing and moss stitch.

There are some things to keep in mind when you’re counting rows:

1. Count with the right side of your knitting facing you
2. No matter the pattern you’re using, the general rule is that you don’t include the cast on row, but you do count the stitches on your needle. 

Now let’s break down how to count rows in knitting for different stitch patterns.

How to Count Rows in Stockinette Stitch

Stockinette stitch, or stocking stitch, is one of the easiest stitch patterns to count. 

Start with the right side of your work facing you – this will be the smooth side with neatly arranged Vs. 

Those Vs are your knit stitches, and each line of Vs represents a row. 

Skip the cast on row, and find the first row that you actually knit. 

Once you’ve identified your first row, choose a single stitch and trace a straight line up from there, counting each V in that column as one row. You can use a spare knitting needle or pencil to help you count, or trace up with your finger. 

If your project is still in progress then don’t forget to count the row that’s still on your needles. 

A quick tip if you want to count a lot of rows: use lockable stitch markers to keep track of your count.

You can place them every 10, 15 or 20 rows. I like to attach them while knitting because it makes it easier to count later – it’s quicker to count stitch markers than stitches!

How to Count Rows in Reverse Stockinette Stitch (Counting Purl Rows)

If you need to count reverse stockinette stitch rows then you’ll need to know how to count purl rows. 

It’s not quite as easy as counting stockinette – there are no nice easy Vs.

What you do have are lots of little bumps. 

If you can, I’d recommend flipping your work over to the knit side and counting the Vs just like you would count stockinette. 

But if that’s not possible or you prefer not to then here’s how you can count the purl rows.

You’ll see that reverse stockinette is made up of rows of ridges. It’s a bit like garter stitch but the ridges are a lot more condensed. 

The ridges are made up of bumps that look like hills and bumps that look like cups. Each of these ridges counts as a row. So to count your rows you count the ridges. 

I find it easier to pick out the top of the ridge (the little hill bumps) and count those all the way up in a single column. But if you prefer to count the bottom of the ridge (the cups) you can count those instead. 

Don’t forget to skip the cast on row and count the row on the needles. 

Counting Rows in Garter Stitch

Garter stitch is a simple pattern made by knitting every row. But counting garter stitch rows can be slightly tricky. 

Here’s why: When you knit a stitch on one side (the “right” side), and then turn your work to start a new row, that same knit stitch appears as a purl stitch.

So, when you look at garter stitch from the right side, you’ll see a pattern: a row of knit stitches, followed by a row of purl stitches. 

This pattern forms little ‘V’ shapes (the knit stitches) nestled amongst purl bumps. Sometimes, this can be hard to spot because garter stitch rows like to snug up against one another, which can make the individual rows harder to see.

In fact, at a glance you might think garter stitch looks a lot like purl rows, but there are differences. 

Both create a fabric with bumpy texture, but with pure purl rows, the ridges sit close together with nothing in between, and the wrong side will be smooth like stockinette stitch. 

Garter stitch, on the other hand, features a row of knit stitches (those ‘V’ shapes) sandwiched between each row of purls, making the stitches seem more spread out. It’s a stretchier fabric, and more obviously, garter stitch is reversible, so it looks the same on both sides of the fabric.

The key thing to remember is that each visible ridge in garter stitch actually represents two rows. To count your rows, simply count these ridges and double the number. 

So if you count 6 ridges, that means you’ve knitted 12 rows. 

Don’t forget the row on the needle – if it’s a partial ridge you’ll need to add one additional row to your count! For a more in-depth explanation on this, have a look at my tutorial on how to count garter stitch rows. 

Counting Rows in Ribbing

Ribbing is made up of columns of knits and columns of purls. 

Couting ribbing rows can actually be more straightforward than plain stockinette, because you can see the columns much more clearly. 

To count the ribbing rows, pick out one column of knit stitches and count all the Vs in that column, the same way that you would count stockinette. 

You can count the purl stitches instead if you prefer, but most knitters find it easier to count the knits because the V shape is easier to spot. 

Counting Rows in Cable Knitting

Cables are beautiful and fun to knit, but counting rows in cable knitting might seem difficult at first. The stitches on your knitting needle can look slanted and things are out of order. How do you know how many rows you’ve worked? Where do you start counting from? I promise it is easy once you know what to look for. 

There are actually a few different methods you can use to count cable rows. 

Method 1: Find the Elongated Stitch

Whenever you work a cable cross you’ll usually have one slightly elongated stitch.

Find that stretched-out stitch, then look for the stitch above it and start your counting from there. Don’t forget to count the stitch on the needle. 

In this example, you can see four V stitches above the elongated stitch. Include the stitch on the needle and you can see that 5 rows have been worked. This is an 8-row cable, so I have 3 more rows before I need to work the next cable cross.

Method 2: Using the Cable Cross Gap

When you create a cable cross in knitting, a small gap or hole is formed behind the stitches that are crossed. 

To count rows with cables, slide a knitting needle through this gap, either from left to right or right to left. The direction doesn’t really matter.

I prefer to do my counting on the side of the cable where the stitches are crossed behind. Ignore the row that is directly touching the needle that you slipped through the gap and start counting from the row directly above the needle. 

Then, follow a single column of stitches upwards, counting each ‘V’ and the stitch on the needle – just like you would for a stockinette stitch.

You can also use this method to count the rows worked between cables. Just slide a needle through two consecutive cable crosses, and count the rows in the same way. Remember to skip the row that’s in direct contact with the bottom needle, but do count the row that’s touching the top needle. 

Method 3: Counting the Strands Between Stitches

This method also uses the gap that’s formed by the cable cross, but in a slightly different way.

This time, instead of sliding the needle sideways, you’ll be moving it upwards through the gap.

So find that gap again, and choose a side. It doesn’t really matter whether you work on the left or right side of the cable. 

Insert the needle from front to back, following the column straight up to the working needle.

Then push the needle through from back to front right under the working needle. Make sure you catch the strand that runs between the cable and the background stitches when you do this. 

What you’ve essentially done is catch a strand of yarn from every row you’ve worked since the last cable cross. Now it’s easy to count the number of rows you’ve worked: each strand equals one row.

Like the previous method, you can also use this to count the rows worked between cables. To do this, you would push the needle from front to back through the gap of the bottom cable cross, and push it from back to front through the gap of the top cable cross. 

Method 4: Using a Marker

This is a simple method that you can use while you’re knitting cables. 

Once you’ve worked a cable cross, add a removable stitch marker to one of the cable stitches.  Carry on knitting as usual.

You can then easily count the V shaped stitches above the marked stitch, including the one on the needle, to figure out the number of rows worked since the last cable cross.

In this example, there are 3 V shaped stitches above the marked stitch, plus the stitch on the needle, so I’ve worked 4 rows since the cable cross.

Tackling More Complex Patterns

Once you know the basics of counting your rows, you can apply these principles to any stitch pattern you’re working with. 

Remember, all knitting is made up of combinations of knits and purls. 

Let’s take a look at this seed stitch swatch. When you break it down, you’ll notice that each column is made up of alternating knit and purl stitches neatly stacked on top of each other. Once you see this pattern, counting them up becomes a breeze using the techniques we’ve discussed. 

No matter what stitch pattern you’ve got on your needles, counting your rows in knitting always comes down to identifying a single column of stitches. Just pick one column, focus on it, and trace your way up, counting the knit and purl stitches as you go.

Use stitch markers or row counters to help you if you need to, especially if you’re still getting the hang of things. They can be a great backup tool to use as you learn to count rows. 

How to Count When Knitting Rows in the Round

When you’re knitting in the round, rows are referred to as rounds since you’re not going back and forth but instead are working in a continuous spiral.

Rows and rounds are essentially the same thing, so counting rounds works just like counting rows in flat knitting.

You still skip the cast on row and start counting row 1 on the next row. And don’t forget to include the round that’s still on your needle in your count.

If you’re knitting something like socks or sleeves, it’s typically the total length you’re knitting that really matters, not the exact number of rounds. But counting rounds can still be important for shaping, or when you’re working on a particular stitch pattern or colorwork.

Counting Knitting Rows With Tools

There are a few handy tools you can use to count your knitting rows as you work them. 

Some knitters like to use a combination of these methods to count rows in knitting. For example, they may physically count rows for the first few rows of a project, then switch to a row counter once the pattern becomes more complex.

Ultimately, the best method to count rows in knitting depends on your personal preference and the specific needs of your project.

Stitch markers

These little tools are small, reusable loops or rings that you can attach to your knitting to mark your progress and make row counting easier. You just place a stitch marker onto a stitch every few rows, say every 10, 15, or 20 rows, to help keep track of how many rows you’ve knitted. 

Make sure that you’re using lockable or removable markers that are easy to take out when you’re done.  This way, you won’t risk damaging your knitting when it’s time to take them off. 

The benefit of this is that you don’t have to count from scratch each time – you just need to count from where you last placed the marker and then you can tally up the total number of markers you’ve used. This can be really helpful if you’re working on a big project and need to keep track of lots of rows. 

Row counters

There are mechanical or digital row counters that you can keep nearby, attach to your needles or even wear like a ring or a watch. 

Press or turn the counter as you complete each row to keep count.

This is great if you don’t want to have to stop and count your rows every so often, but you do still have to remember to click or turn the counter. 

I can never remember to do this so I don’t use this method any more, but it definitely works for some people. 

If you are going to use a row counter, go for either a wearable counter like a ring counter, or a standalone counter.

The barrel-type counters that you slide onto the end of your needle are pretty popular, but honestly, I’d give them a miss if possible. 

In my experience they sometimes don’t fit snugly on your needle, causing them to slide about. The added weight of them on a needle can also mess with your tension. And you can’t really use them with circular or double-pointed needles. 

But if you are keen on using one, I’ve got a handy workaround.

Instead of popping it on your needle, thread some yarn or ribbon through the hole to turn it into a wearable counter – around your wrist or neck, perhaps. You could even attach it to your project bag. I can’t help you with remembering to click after every row though!

Pen & Paper

Using pen and paper to keep track of your knitting rows is an affordable, easy, and customizable method.

Keep a pen and a small notebook or piece of paper nearby, and as you finish a row, simply make a tally mark or write down the row number. 

You can also cross out, mark or highlight the row number on your pattern each time you complete a row. 

This system is easy to adapt for any project. It can be very useful for small projects, but it can become tedious and time-consuming for larger projects with a lot of rows.

Counting Apps

We live in a digital age, so it’s no surprise that there are lots of free apps that can help you to count your rows and keep track of your knitting. 

Many of these apps also come with extra handy features, like the ability to add notes and highlights to your pattern, and tools for converting measurements.

The Row Counter App is one that I’ve used before. 

It’s a pretty powerful app that you can use on iOS, Android, PC, and online if you don’t like downloading apps.

It lets you import and annotate patterns that you’ve downloaded, create multiple counters, and even add reminders to prompt you to change colors or start a new pattern repeat. 

Reading your knitting:

In the end, there’s no real substitute for learning how to read your knitting.

No matter how careful you are with your row counting, let’s face it, we all have moments where we lose track.

But being able to read your knitting and spot the unique patterns and structure of your stitches means that you can recognise exactly where you are in your knitting project. 

This goes beyond keeping track of rows and stitches. It’s about catching mistakes early on, knowing when and where to make changes, and being able to jump right back in after a break.

Even better, it gives you the power to have more control over your knitting, boosting your confidence.

So there you have it! Hopefully, this guide has shed some light on how to count rows in knitting, whether you’re working on a simple garter stitch scarf or a complex cable knit sweater.

Frequently Asked Questions

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