Count rows by looking at the bumps on your fabric

Each horizontal bump or ridge you see on garter stitch is one row. Garter stitch creates a textured fabric where both sides look identical — bumpy and ridged — because you knit every row instead of alternating knit and purl. To count rows, lay your knitting flat on a table, pick a vertical line of stitches, and count the bumps from bottom to top. Each bump equals one completed row.

The bumps are easier to see if you hold your knitting up to light or photograph it against a plain background. A ruler or measuring tape placed vertically next to your stitches gives you a reference line to follow so you do not lose count halfway up.

Key Takeaways

  • Each horizontal bump or ridge in garter stitch represents one completed row.
  • Count bumps from the cast-on edge upward along a single vertical line of stitches.
  • Garter stitch looks the same on both sides, so you can count from either the front or back of your fabric.
  • Holding your knitting to light or using a ruler as a guide makes bumps easier to see and prevents miscounting.
  • Mark your place with a stitch marker or piece of yarn if you need to count rows over multiple sessions.

Why counting rows matters in garter stitch

Garter stitch patterns often call for a specific number of rows — for example, "knit 40 rows" before you decrease for armholes or switch to a new stitch pattern. Counting rows tells you when to make these changes. Without an accurate count, your finished piece may be the wrong length or the shaping may not line up with the pattern instructions.

Garter stitch is also forgiving because the bumps are very visible compared to stockinette stitch, which means you can count rows accurately even if you have been working for a while and do not remember exactly where you started.

How to count rows on a partially finished piece

If you are in the middle of a project and need to know how many rows you have completed, place your knitting on a flat surface with the cast-on edge at the bottom. Start at the cast-on edge and count upward. Stop counting at the row where your working yarn is attached — that row is not yet complete, so do not include it in your count.

If you have set your work down and are not sure which end is the cast-on edge, look for the edge with a chain-like appearance. The cast-on edge always looks slightly different from the rows you knit afterward. Once you identify it, count upward from there.

Using row counters and markers to track your progress

A row counter is a small tool that slides onto your needle and lets you click off each row as you finish it. You advance the counter by one number after every row, so you always know your exact row count without having to recount the bumps. Row counters come in mechanical versions (you click them) and digital versions (you press a button). Both work equally well for garter stitch.

If you do not have a row counter, place a stitch marker or a piece of contrasting yarn every 10 rows. Count the markers, multiply by 10, then count the remaining bumps above the last marker. This method is faster than counting every single bump when you are working on a large project.

Counting rows when you have made mistakes

If you dropped a stitch or accidentally purled a row in the middle of your garter stitch, the bumps will look uneven or the texture will change. Count only the rows that look correct — the ones with the consistent bumpy texture. If you need to fix a dropped stitch or undo a purl row, do that before you continue counting, because the mistake will throw off your row total.

When you pick up a dropped stitch in garter stitch, use a crochet hook to pull the loop back through each row it fell through. This restores the correct stitch height and makes the bumps line up again. Once the stitch is fixed, your count will be accurate.

Counting rows in the round with garter stitch

Garter stitch in the round requires a different counting method because you must alternate knit and purl rounds to create the bumpy texture. In this case, count every two rounds as one row, because one knit round plus one purl round creates one visible bump. If your pattern says "knit 20 rows in garter stitch in the round," you actually need to work 40 rounds — 20 knit rounds and 20 purl rounds.

Mark the beginning of each knit round with a stitch marker so you do not lose track of where each round starts. This makes it easier to count pairs of rounds and stay on schedule with your pattern.

Common mistakes when counting garter stitch rows

The most common error is counting the cast-on edge itself as a row. The cast-on is not a row you knitted — it is the foundation. Start your count at the first row you actually knitted after casting on. Another mistake is counting the working row (the one currently on your needle) as complete. That row is not finished until you have knitted the next row, so always stop your count one row below where your yarn is attached.

A third mistake is losing your place halfway through a long count. If you are counting more than 20 rows, use a ruler or your finger to mark where you are, or count in groups of 10 and keep a running total on paper. Recounting the same section twice is frustrating but faster than discovering halfway through your next section that you miscounted.

Frequently Asked Questions

What if I cannot see the bumps clearly on my garter stitch?

Hold your knitting up to a window or lamp so light shines through the fabric. The bumps cast tiny shadows that make them much easier to see. You can also take a photo with your phone and zoom in on the image. If your yarn is dark or textured, try counting on the back side of your fabric instead — sometimes one side shows the bumps more clearly than the other.

Do I count bumps the same way in garter stitch as in other stitch patterns?

No. In stockinette stitch, you count rows by counting the V-shaped stitches, not bumps. In ribbed stitch, you count the vertical columns. Garter stitch is unique because the bumps are the clearest marker of row count. Always count the feature that is most visible in the stitch pattern you are using.

Can I count rows from the top of my knitting instead of the bottom?

Yes. Count downward from the working row (the one on your needle) to the cast-on edge. You will get the same total either way. Some knitters find it easier to count downward if they are holding the needles in their hands, while others prefer to lay the work flat and count upward. Choose whichever method feels more natural to you.

What should I do if I lose count in the middle of a long section?

Stop and recount from the cast-on edge. It is faster and more accurate than trying to guess where you lost track. If you are working on a very long project, count in sections of 10 or 20 rows and write down your total as you go. This way, if you lose count, you only have to recount the current section, not the entire piece.

How do I count rows if my garter stitch is very loose or very tight?

The bump count stays the same regardless of how tight or loose your tension is. Loose tension makes the bumps larger and easier to see; tight tension makes them smaller and closer together. Either way, each bump is one row. If tight tension makes counting difficult, use a ruler or stitch marker to help you track your place.