How to Count Crochet Rows (in SC, HDC & DC)

When you’re learning how to crochet, one thing you’ll need to learn is how to count crochet rows. While this seems easy enough on the surface, it can be a confusing aspect of learning this craft.

When you’re unsure of what you’re looking at, it can be incredibly difficult to count rows and verify the amount of work you’ve done.

Let’s take the confusion out of counting rows by taking a deep dive into what stitches look like in detail and discover how knowing their structure and how they look help us count rows effectively.

The first step in learning how to count crochet rows

The first step in learning how to count crochet rows is knowing what the post of your stitch actually looks like.

It’s one thing to be able to create the stitch but it’s another thing entirely to understand how the stitch comes together and why it looks the way it does.

When you know what the post of your stitches look like on both their “right” and “wrong” sides, you’ll have a much easier time counting your rows in the first place.

So, how do you learn what the post of stitches look like?

I’ll go over what these look like in swatches with several rows worked in this tutorial but it’ll be important for you to practice.

Practicing making these basic stitches (single crochet, half double crochet and double crochet) with the intent of slowing down, watching how the stitch forms and investigating the front and back of the stitch to understand how it came together and what it looks like will be key.

After reviewing this tutorial on how to count crochet rows, I encourage you to:

• Grab a hook and medium or bulky yarn that has fairly good stitch definition (not blanket yarn, velvet yarn, etc.). This heavier weight of yarn and clear stitch definition will help in your investigation.
  
• Intend to make a small swatch of 10 stitches and several rows.
  
• Begin making your swatch but make each stitch slowly. Watch how the yarn is manipulated while you make the stitch. Ask yourself:
  
  • Where did the loop or loops on the hook go?
    
  • How did these loops come together to form the stitch?
    
  • What does each step of the stitch look like when completed?
    
• Investigate the stitch once it is completed.
  
  • What does it look like from the front?
    
  • What does it look like from the back?
    
  • Are there any identifying markers that makes the front or back of the stitch stand out?
    
• When you have one row completed, check out how the stitches look side by side. When you’ve turned your work to create your next row, check out how the back of the stitches look side by side.
  
  • How do Row 1 and Row 2 differ?

We will, of course, go over what the stitches look like in rows in the tutorial but I will be showing swatches in which several rows are already worked.

To truly understand how to count crochet rows, even with this tutorial as a guide, I highly encourage you to slowly make practice swatches, see how each stitch forms and how rows come together.

It may feel counterintuitive. You already know these stitches, so why bother slowing down to essentially relearn them?

While it may feel that way, you’re not technically relearning the stitch. You’re just getting to know it even better than you did before.

How to Count Single Crochet Rows

Let’s take a look at a swatch of single crochet stitches:

This swatch is made with 10 stitches in each row and has several rows worked.

Before you scroll on down to the following images to learn how to count these rows, try to identify the rows now.

How many rows do you think are in this swatch?

Try to keep your identification of the rows in mind as we continue through the tutorial. After we get through the following images, come back to this one and try to count the rows in this basic swatch photo again.

In this swatch, there are a total of 11 rows worked. Arrows on the right point to each single crochet row in which the “wrong” side (the back) of the single crochet is facing us. Arrows on the left point to each single crochet row in which the “right” side (the front) of the single crochet is facing us.

It’s nice to see the arrows but it doesn’t really show you how to count crochet rows, does it?

Let’s dive in further.

In the image below, we’re going to look specifically at the “right side” single crochet stitches. While “right” and “wrong” side have particular meanings in crochet patterns, we’re going to use the term as an identifier for the stitch in this tutorial.

When we consider a single crochet to be on the “right side”, it means the stitch is still facing us as if we are currently working a row. When a row has been turned and we’re looking at the back of the single crochet, we will consider it on the “wrong side”.

When the “right side” of a single crochet is facing us (as if we are currently working a row), the post of the single crochet will look like a V.

In the image above, I’ve highlighted the single crochet stitches that are showing their “right side” with yellow V’s. Next to the swatch, I’ve drawn a graphic to indicate that the V is what we’re looking for.

As the highlights indicate, there are a total of 5 rows of “right side” single crochet.

While the yellow highlighted V’s of the posts stand out, look to the left of the highlights. Can you see the V’s of the right side single crochet stitches without the highlight?

Now let’s look at what the “wrong side” of single crochet stitches look like:

When the “wrong side” of a single crochet is facing us (as if we have turned a row to begin a new one), the post of the single crochet will look like an upside down V with a line over it.

In the image above, I’ve highlighted the single crochet stitches that are showing their “wrong side” with pink upside down V’s with lines over them. Next to the swatch, I’ve drawn a graphic to indicate that the upside down V is what we’re looking for.

As the highlights indicate, there are a total of 6 rows of “wrong side” single crochet rows.

While the pink highlights of the posts stand out, look to the right or left of the highlights. Can you see the upside down V’s of the wrong side single crochet stitches?

Now let’s look at the swatch highlighted with both the “right” and “wrong” side of the single crochet stitches in one image:

In this image, I have offset the highlights so they aren’t stacked on top of each other and you can get a clear idea before looking at the stitches stacked.

You can see how the “right side” single crochet stitches (yellow V’s) are not on the same row as the “wrong side” single crochet stitches (pink upside down V’s with a line).

With the knowledge of what these posts look like, we can more accurately count our single crochet rows.

Now, let’s look at the stitches with the highlights stacked on top of each other:

Just like before, our right side single crochet stitches are highlighted with yellow V’s and our wrong side single crochet stitches are highlighted with upside down pink Vs. This time, they’re stacked on top of each other instead of being offset.

Additionally, color coded numbers to the right of the swatch indicate the number of rows and how they would be counted. Yellow numbers correspond with the yellow V’s. Pink numbers correspond with the pink upside down V’s.

Let’s take our color coding a step even further and look at a swatch made in stripes:

With the swatch made in alternating colors for each row, it’s even easier to see the difference in how the posts of the stitches look. This visual can significantly help us understand how to count crochet rows when it comes to single crochet.

Now let’s look at a swatch made in one color and a swatch made in alternating colors side by side:

With the swatches side by side and the highlights of the posts of the stitches, we can again see the difference in how rows look and therefore have a much easier time understanding how to count crochet rows using single crochet when we need to.

How to Count Half Double Crochet Rows

Let’s take a look at a swatch of half double crochet stitches:

This swatch is made with 10 stitches in each row and has several rows worked.

Before you scroll on down to the following images to learn how to count these rows, try to identify the rows now.

How many rows do you think are in this swatch of half double crochet?

Try to keep your identification of the rows in mind as we continue through the tutorial. After we get through the following images, come back to this one and try to count the rows in this basic swatch photo again.

In this swatch, there are a total of 8 rows worked. Arrows on the right point to each half double crochet row in which the “wrong” side (the back) of the half double crochet is facing us. Arrows on the left point to each half double crochet row in which the “right” side (the front) of the half double crochet is facing us.

It’s nice to see the arrows but it doesn’t really show you how to count crochet rows, does it?

Let’s dive in further.

In the image below, we’re going to look specifically at the “right side” half double crochet stitches.

When the “right side” of a half double crochet is facing us (as if we are currently working a row), the post of the half double crochet will look like a V with a diagonal line similar to a backslash ( \ ) on top.

In the image above, I’ve highlighted the half double crochet stitches that are showing their “right side” with yellow V’s and the diagonal line on top. Next to the swatch, I’ve drawn a graphic to indicate that the V with the diagonal line is what we’re looking for.

As the highlights indicate, there are a total of 4 rows of “right side” half double crochet.

While the yellow highlighted V’s and diagonal lines of the posts stand out, look to the left of the highlights. Can you see the V’s of the right side half double crochet stitches without the highlight?

Now let’s look at what the “wrong side” of half double crochet stitches look like:

When the “wrong side” of a half double crochet is facing us (as if we have turned a row to begin a new one), the post of the half double crochet will look like a V with 2 diagonal lines similar to a forward slash ( // ) on top.

In the image above, I’ve highlighted the half double crochet stitches that are showing their “wrong side” with pink V’s with lines over them. Next to the swatch, I’ve drawn a graphic to indicate that the V with 2 diagonal lines on top is what we’re looking for.

As the highlights indicate, there are a total of 4 rows of “wrong side” half double crochet rows.

While the pink highlights of the posts stand out, look to the right or left of the highlights. Can you see the V’s of the wrong side half double crochet stitches?

Now let’s look at the swatch highlighted with both the “right” and “wrong” side of the half double crochet stitches in one image:

In this image, I have offset the highlights so they aren’t stacked on top of each other and you can get a clear idea before looking at the stitches stacked.

You can see how the “right side” half double crochet stitches (yellow highlights) are not on the same row as the “wrong side” half double crochet stitches (pink highlights).

With the knowledge of what these posts look like, we can more accurately count our half double crochet rows.

Now, let’s look at the stitches with the highlights stacked on top of each other:

Just like before, our right side half double crochet stitches are highlighted yellow and our wrong side half double crochet stitches are highlighted pink. This time, they’re stacked on top of each other instead of being offset.

Additionally, color coded numbers to the right of the swatch indicate the number of rows and how they would be counted. Yellow numbers correspond with the yellow highlights. Pink numbers correspond with the pink highlights.

Let’s take our color coding a step even further and look at a swatch made in stripes:

With the swatch made in alternating colors for each row, it’s even easier to see the difference in how the posts of the stitches look. This visual can significantly help us understand how to count crochet rows when it comes to half double crochet.

Now let’s look at a swatch made in one color and a swatch made in alternating colors side by side:

With the swatches side by side and the highlights of the posts of the stitches, we can again see the difference in how rows look and therefore have a much easier time understanding how to count crochet rows of half double crochet when we need to.

How to Count Double Crochet Rows

Let’s take a look at a swatch of double crochet stitches:

This swatch is made with 10 stitches in each row and has several rows worked.

Before you scroll on down to the following images to learn how to count these rows, try to identify the rows now.

How many rows do you think are in this swatch of double crochet?

Try to keep your identification of the rows in mind as we continue through the tutorial. After we get through the following images, come back to this one and try to count the rows in this basic swatch photo again.

In this swatch, there are a total of 6 rows worked. Arrows on the right point to each double crochet row in which the “wrong” side (the back) of the double crochet is facing us. Arrows on the left point to each double crochet row in which the “right” side (the front) of the double crochet is facing us.

It’s nice to see the arrows but it doesn’t really show you how to count crochet rows, does it?

Let’s dive in further.

In the image below, we’re going to look specifically at the “right side” double crochet stitches.

When the “right side” of a double crochet is facing us (as if we are currently working a row), the post of the double crochet will look like 2 V’s stacked on top of each other with a diagonal line between them.

In the image above, I’ve highlighted the double crochet stitches that are showing their “right side” with yellow V’s and the diagonal line in the middle. Next to the swatch, I’ve drawn a graphic to indicate that the V’s with the line between them are what we’re looking for.

As the highlights indicate, there are a total of 3 rows of “right side” double crochet.

While the yellow highlighted V’s and diagonal lines of the posts stand out, look to the left of the highlights. Can you see the V’s of the right side double crochet stitches without the highlight?

Now let’s look at what the “wrong side” of double crochet stitches look like:

When the “wrong side” of a double crochet is facing us (as if we have turned a row to begin a new one), the post of the double crochet gets a little “fun”.

We don’t have the perfectly stacked V’s with a line dividing them on this side. We see a V at the bottom, a diagonal line like a forward slash ( / ) at the top and 2 lines in between that face different directions.

In the image above, I’ve highlighted the double crochet stitches that are showing their “wrong side” with pink V’s with lines over them. Next to the swatch, I’ve drawn a graphic to indicate that the V, the diagonal line at the top and 2 lines in between are what we’re looking for.

As the highlights indicate, there are a total of 3 rows of “wrong side” double crochet rows.

While the pink highlights of the posts stand out, look to the right or left of the highlights. Can you see the V’s of the wrong side double crochet stitches?

Now let’s look at the swatch highlighted with both the “right” and “wrong” side of the double crochet stitches in one image:

In this image, I have offset the highlights so they aren’t stacked on top of each other and you can get a clear idea before looking at the stitches stacked.

You can see how the “right side” double crochet stitches (yellow highlights) are not on the same row as the “wrong side” double crochet stitches (pink highlights).

With the knowledge of what these posts look like, we can more accurately count our double crochet rows.

Now, let’s look at the stitches with the highlights stacked on top of each other:

Just like before, our right side double crochet stitches are highlighted yellow and our wrong side double crochet stitches are highlighted pink. This time, they’re stacked on top of each other instead of being offset.

Additionally, color coded numbers to the right of the swatch indicate the number of rows and how they would be counted. Yellow numbers correspond with the yellow highlights. Pink numbers correspond with the pink highlights.

Let’s take our color coding a step even further and look at a swatch made in stripes:

With the swatch made in alternating colors for each row, it’s even easier to see the difference in how the posts of the stitches look. This visual can significantly help us understand how to count crochet rows when it comes to double crochet.

Now let’s look at a swatch made in one color and a swatch made in alternating colors side by side:

With the swatches side by side and the highlights of the posts of the stitches, we can again see the difference in how rows look and therefore have a much easier time understanding how to count crochet rows of double crochet when we need to.

What about rows of different stitches?

Counting rows of different stitches (example: 1 row of single crochet, 1 row of double crochet, 1 row of half double crochet in one swatch) is no different than what we’ve learned here.

You will still identify the stitches based on how the post looks from the right or wrong side, count the row and move on to identifying the next row.

In your practice, make swatches that have different stitches for each row. You can randomly decide which of the basic stitches to use on each row, but make sure they’re different.

For example, Row 1 could be single crochet. Row 2 could be half double crochet. Row 3 could be single crochet. Row 4 could be double crochet. Row 5 could be half double crochet and so on.

Then, take what you’ve learned here and put that to use in identifying the stitches and counting the rows you’ve crocheted.

How do I put this information into practice?

While having this information is important, the reality is that it is just words and pictures on a screen. To fully understand how to count crochet rows, you have to practice doing so.

I recommend specific practice sessions so that you can focus and not feel boxed in by a pattern or matching gauge or anything that might hinder your learning experience.

This means sitting down with the intent to make practice swatches, make the stitches as slow as possible, investigate what happens and why as you make the stitch and really look at what the stitches look like once they’re made.

Coupled together with a guide such as this, you should be able to learn how to count crochet rows quickly.

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Looking for more Crochet Tutorials and Techniques like this one?

Crochet Stitch Multiples – Learn what they are and how to use them to create your own projects.
How to Crochet a “Perfect Circle” – Tired of your circles looking more like hexagons? This tutorial will teach you how to avoid that.
Do Slip Stitches to Join in Rounds Count as a Stitch? – They don’t! This tutorial will explain why they don’t and how to avoid accidentally using them.
How to Place a Border on Single Crochet – Learn how to place the first round of a border on single crochet stitches with this tutorial.
How to Place a Border on Double Crochet – Learn how to place the first round of a border on double crochet stitches, including how to avoid gaps at the sides, with this tutorial.