A few weeks ago I wrote about counting in knitting. Today it’s time to review counting in crochet.
Counting is different for crochet than for knitting as you generally only have one stitch on the hook at a time and need to count not just to make each stitch, but along the way. As you gain experience the stitches tend to go in their proper places, though it’s still helpful to know some tips for counting. We can complicate the matter further because the terminology for American and British crochet stitches is shifted by one.
This post is not about the many tools and gadgets available to help us record the fruits of our labor, but a gathering of tips to help count the proper number of worked stitches from the first stitch to the last and everything in between.
While how I count varies based on what I need to enumerate, there are a few things that remain the same whether I’m counting in knitting or crochet. I prefer to count in a well lit and calm environment, and if it’s noisy I put on headphones to muffle extra noise. I like to lay my piece down over fabric in a contrasting colour. In general I count each crochet stitch, I don’t group them like I do for knitting. Often if the total number of stitches is over 50, I like to place my favourite coil-less pins to mark successfully counted chunks. These chunks are determined by what makes sense for my total, often every 20 or 25 stitches and 10 or 25 rows (rounds).
Following is a small collection of links I’ve gathered that show some tips for successful counting. There are definitely many more!
Chains & Foundation Rows
- Simply Crochet has a crochet tutorial, Chain Stitch & Counting Chains note: this is a UK crochet magazine
- Learn to chain, single crochet, and turn your work with Rachel
- Make has a great tutorial by Haley Pierson-Cox, Crochet 101: Chain Stitch, Single, and Double Crochet
- Lots of tips from the Craft Yarn Council
Rows & Rounds
- Lion Brand reminds Don’t forget to count your turning chains
- the perfect crochet circle by cara medus
- from Kim Werker, a quick photo tutorial on how to adjust the rate of increases for a flat circle. update: she’s expanded it into a blog post with more detailed instructions.
- Stacey of Fresh Stitches offers two tips: Tips on Counting in Crochet for Beginners and an Easy trick for counting rounds in Crochet
Charts & Diagrams
- Craftsy can help you with Understanding Crochet Diagrams: The Key to Breaking the Code
- Webs can teach you about Reading Crochet Charts
- Lion Brand offers Reading Charts: An Introduction
Do you have a favourite tip for counting crochet? I’d love to learn it, please share in the comments below.
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