When you crochet in the round, it can be tricky to count your stitches. But counting is important to make sure that you’re on track for following your pattern.
Today, I’ll show you how to count your stitches!
The loop on the hook doesn’t count!
Here’s a photo of my work:
Do you see the loop that’s on my hook? (I’ll be highlighting all the stitches I’m chatting about in dark blue):
This loop does not count as a stitch! This might come as a surprise, especially if you’re a knitter.
Look for the ‘V’s
So what does count? You want to look for the ‘V’s. I like to start at the hook and work my way around. Here, I’ve highlighted the first V:
Let’s do another:
Now it’s your turn. Have a look at this picture and count the Vs:
Keep counting until you’ve finished the round. If a stitch has been ‘stitched into’, that means it’s part of the previous round, so don’t count it!
How many did you get?
Did you find 12?
Hope that helps!
Here are handy links to all the crochet troubleshooting posts. . .
- How to Count the Number of Stitches in a Round of Crochet
- How to Hold Your Yarn for Crochet
- Am I Crocheting Inside Out?
- Help! Crocheting in the Back Loop Is Too Hard!
- What to Do If Your Foundation Chains Are Always Too Tight
- How to Work Small Pieces in the Round
- Tips for Crocheting Teeny Tiny Antennae
- How to Measure Gauge for Amigurumi
- Getting Accurate Row Gauge
- How to Clean Amigurumi
- Wrist Exercises for Knitters and Crocheters
Return to the main table of contents for Let’s Learn to Crochet Amigurumi.
Happy stitching!
Clear, simple and very helpful! Thank you Stacey!
Thanks for the great pictures! I always have trouble counting correctly. You made it very easy to understand and see all the stitches. Thank you
Your tips may seem elementary to a lot of crocheters out there. But while I’ve been crocheting for years, it’s great to see these things explained in simple ways. So helpful, even for me. I’ll use this example when I teach my next yarn addict. Thanks Stacy!
Thank you 🙂
Thank you for all your designs and your input.
Love this post! I wish I’d had this months ago but glad to have it as a reference now. Thank you! 🙂
Stacey, *sigh* thank-you!!!
very clear and helpful.
I have struggled and struggled …..I have went mad trying to count in the round…..A BIG THANKS
I’ve been counting wrong for years, haha! I knew something had to be wrong when I always had to alter patterns…
Thank you so much I been going nuts trying to hdc into a magic loop ( 8 stitches) but when I count was off by a stitch….
You made this old lady’s day ( I just turn 59…. that was depressing then my counting lol )
Thank you for making this so easy!
Thanks for making this so ILLUSTRATIVE regarding the point you are making! The blue marks make it totally clear. I wish all crochet imagery that is used to try to illustrate a point were done like this!
Perfectly simple and clear! Thank you!
As a knitter I have been counting it wrong and kept being really confused why it was not working…
Very clear..thanks,Stacey
I am trying to make Amirigumi mini bear. The instruction says crochet 6 sc into the magic ring. First I make one chain stitch into the slip knot then crochet 6 sc. But stitch #6 is still a loop on the hook so unless I count the first chain stitch as #1 I only have five instead of 6 Vs like I’m supposed to. What am I doing wrong?
This was very helpful. I find the first round is easy but the 2nd row onwards is a problem for me as there is the slip stich you connect with and then there is the turning chain for the next row. Any chance you might write another article on how to count after the first row? Thank you
I don’t use slipstitch or turning stitch in my patterns – I always crochet softies in continuous spirals.
Thank you for such a clear explanation, I have a problem counting my stitches in the round all the time☹️ Very frustrating. So this graphic way of counting was wonderful!!!
This kept me from chucking it all. But my grandson says, “Gma never gives up.” I don’t know why other instructors haven’t been able to state this to be so crystal clear! Thank you.
Thankyou, Stacey! I used to be able to see and remember better so I could easily see this. The very last thing you said in the post about not counting iff the stitch has been stitched into will help me a lot. I’ve had trouble with the chain one at the very beginning in the round and seeing the turning chain at the end of each row in straight crochet.
Exactly the clarity I needed! Thank you 🙂