BellaOnline Forums Hobbies and Crafts Knitting Counting Rows

I've been counting rows by putting my work down and marking the total on a piece of paper. It's very distracting to do it that way. <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

How does one count rows by merely looking at the work?

I am working a swatch of purl stitch that will have 20 rows when finished. I ignore the cast-on row and count 14 rows not including the loops on the needle.

When I turn over the swatch, there are 15 rows up to the loops on the needle. On both sides I ignore the loops on the needle.

How many rows are there, 14 or 15? Or possibly 16? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Lucille

The best way I know of to count rows is to invest in a clover "Kacha Kacha" counter, you set it to zero and at the end of every row you just push the top. Since I don't have any samples ready to show you how to count each row, I am going to go search for some on the net so you can see (it's better to learn via visual) be right back with more info for you :music:

I can't find a visual so I will try and explain, If you look at your purl stitches on both side you will see they are made up of what looks like an upper and lower staggered like bricks (hope I am not confusing you)that counts as 2 rows. Ok now on how to figure out what row you are on, you should have a "tail" that was at the beginning of your project. I am assuming that you are right handed. After you casted on your required number the "tail" would have been to your right. You would of had to turn your needle making the "tail" on the left. Row 2 "tail" to the right. For me I count rows when my tail is the the left, then count by two's. Does that help or have I confused you all to pieces ?

I couldn't find a visual either on the Internet or in my reference books. Such a basic thing as rows is only referred to in the abstract.

You gave a good explanation of the appearance of the rows. That's how I determined the rows as I go along. The brick-like appearance is two rows.

My problem is how do I know exactly when I reach 20 rows.

What about the loops on the needle? Are they consisered a row? How is the count made when one side of the swatch has one more row than the other side? <img src="/images/graemlins/confused.gif" alt="" />

Lucille

Each "brick" is a row. So if you are counting say 15 on one side and 16 on the other, you actually have 16 rows of purl stitch. Does that help ?

Okay, I think I understand. Take the higher of the counts on both sides. Is that correct? :rolleyes:

Lucille