How to Count Crochet Stitches: The Complete Beginner's Guide

📅 Last updated: February 2026

Why Accurate Stitch Counting Is Essential

Stitch counting is the foundation of consistent, professional-looking crochet. Every row in a crochet project should contain the same number of stitches (unless you're intentionally shaping with increases or decreases). When your stitch count drifts — adding or losing stitches row after row — your project will gradually change shape, producing uneven edges, trapezoidal blankets, or lopsided garments. A blanket that gains one stitch every 5 rows will be noticeably wider at the top after 100 rows, creating a frustrating and amateurish result.

Accurate counting is also critical when following patterns. Pattern instructions assume a specific stitch count per row, and if yours doesn't match, stitch pattern repeats won't align, color changes will be misplaced, and shaping instructions will produce the wrong dimensions. Many beginning crocheters abandon projects not because the craft is too difficult, but because they lose track of their stitch count and the project goes visibly wrong. Learning to count stitches reliably is one of the fastest paths from frustrated beginner to confident crafter.

Our stitch counter calculator tells you exactly how many stitches and rows you need for any given dimension. But that calculation is only useful if you can maintain an accurate count as you work. This guide teaches you how.

Anatomy of a Crochet Stitch: Know What You're Counting

Every crochet stitch has identifiable components that help you count accurately. The top of each stitch forms a "V" shape when viewed from above — these V's are the most reliable counting landmarks. The V is formed by the two loops that sit on top of the stitch. When you count stitches, you're counting V's across the row.

Below the V is the post — the vertical body of the stitch. In single crochet, the post is short (about 1 chain tall). In double crochet, the post is taller (about 3 chains tall). Each post represents one complete stitch. You can count either V's from above or posts from the side — they should give you the same number.

The foundation chain sits at the very bottom of your work. Each chain link contains a V on the front and a bump on the back. When you work into the foundation chain for your first row, you typically insert your hook under one or both loops of the V (or into the back bump for a neater edge).

Counting Single Crochet (sc) Stitches Step by Step

Single crochet stitches are compact and sit close together, making them slightly trickier to count than taller stitches. Here's the reliable method:

Method 1: Count the V's from above. Hold your work so you're looking down at the top edge. Each V-shaped pair of loops represents one single crochet stitch. Count each V from one edge to the other. This is the fastest and most accurate method for sc.

Method 2: Count the posts from the side. Turn your work sideways and look at the vertical bars. Each short vertical bar is one sc post. This method works well when your stitches are too tight to see the V's clearly.

Counting Double Crochet (dc) Stitches

Double crochet stitches are taller and more spread out than single crochet, making their posts clearly visible. Each dc has a distinctive tall post with a visible "yarn over" wrap around it. However, the turning chain adds a complication: in most patterns, the ch-3 turning chain counts as the first dc of the row. This means you should count it as a stitch when tallying your total.

Look for the turning chain at the beginning of each row — it should be as tall as the dc stitches beside it. Count it as stitch #1, then count each subsequent dc post. The last stitch of the row should be worked into the top of the previous row's turning chain (not into the chain space beneath it). This is one of the most common sources of stitch count errors in dc.

Using Stitch Markers Like a Pro

Stitch markers are the most effective tool for maintaining accurate stitch counts. These small, removable clips or rings mark specific stitches so you can verify your count without counting the entire row every time. Professional crocheters use markers extensively — even on simple projects — because they catch errors before they compound.

Beginner strategy: Place a stitch marker in the first stitch and last stitch of every row. This prevents the two most common errors: accidentally skipping the first stitch (which causes the edge to slant inward) and missing the last stitch (which causes the piece to narrow). As you complete each row, move the markers to the new row.

Intermediate strategy: Place markers every 10, 20, or 25 stitches across the row. This allows you to count in small segments rather than recounting 100+ stitches. If you discover a count error, you only need to re-examine the segment between two markers, saving enormous time on wide projects like blankets.

Advanced strategy: Use different colored markers for pattern repeats, increases, decreases, and color change points. Color-coded markers serve as visual guides that make complex patterns much easier to follow.

Troubleshooting: Why Your Stitch Count Is Off

Problem: Stitch count keeps increasing. The most common cause is accidentally working into the turning chain when the pattern doesn't count it as a stitch. Another cause is making two stitches into the same stitch at the beginning or end of a row. Solution: Place markers in the first and last stitches and double-check the pattern's turning chain instructions.

Problem: Stitch count keeps decreasing. You're likely missing the last stitch of each row. In sc, the last stitch can be hard to see because it sits right next to the turning chain. In dc, the last stitch should be worked into the top of the previous row's turning chain. Solution: Use a stitch marker in the last stitch and consciously work into it every row.

Problem: Stitch count fluctuates randomly. This suggests inconsistent tension or accidentally splitting the yarn (inserting your hook through the yarn rather than through the stitch loop). Work more slowly and consciously, ensuring your hook goes cleanly through the correct loops. Good lighting makes a significant difference — poor lighting causes many counting errors.

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