Tips

Understanding Row Counters in Machine Knitting: Avoiding Common Mistakes

May 21, 2024
18 comments

Understanding Row Counters in Machine Knitting

What Is a Row Counter?

A row counter is a simple mechanical device on your knitting machine that tracks the number of rows you've knit. It advances with each pass of the carriage, allowing you to follow a pattern, repeat sections, and maintain symmetry in your work.

Built-in knitting machine row counter

How Does It Work?

As the carriage moves across the needle bed, the row counter clicks up by one number. Most counters reset manually and stop tracking when carriage extensions (like ribbers or color changers) are in use—unless you use special adapters or techniques.

Removeable knitting amchine Row Counter

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Forgetting to reset the counter before starting a new piece.
Ignoring when the counter stops due to accessories (like ribbers or knit leaders).
Not writing down the row number before removing the carriage, risking lost track of progress.

Tips for Using Row Counters Effectively

Reset the counter at the start of every section or piece.
Use a notebook or knit sheet to log row counts and shaping.
If your counter stops working, count manually with a clicker or tally app.

Knitting machine row counter reset knob

If Your Row Counter Isn't Working

First, make sure it’s not disengaged due to an attachment. Then, check the carriage tripper and gear alignment. If broken, replacement parts are available for most models—but a mechanical counter can only do so much. Always back up your count manually.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did my row counter stop moving?

Check for accessories like ribbers or color changers that may prevent the carriage from triggering the counter. You may need to manually count rows in these situations.

How do I reset my row counter?

Most row counters have a small knob you turn counterclockwise to reset to zero. Always reset before beginning a new section of knitting.

Can I replace a broken row counter?

Yes. Replacement row counters are often available for common knitting machine models. Be sure to get the right one for your brand and model.

Is there a digital version of the row counter?

Some knitters use apps or digital row counters to keep track manually—especially when the machine's counter isn't working or isn’t triggered with certain attachments.

Do all knitting machines come with a row counter?

Yes, most standard and bulky gauge machines include a row counter. Some vintage or toy models may not.

Question:

Donna Asked:

"My instructions are as follows:,
Increase 1 stitch both sides every 2 rows, 5 times. Work increases on row(s): ( 17 - 19 - 21 - 23 - 25 )

Do you work the increase BEFORE you move the carriage across row 17?

do you work it AFTER you move the carriage on row 17?"

Answer:

#1 is correct
The Row Counter indicates the number of rows COMPLETED.
In this example, the increases would be worked WHEN the row counter READS 017.

We start knitting with the row counter set to 000
With the first pass of the carriage, the row counter advances to 001
this indicates 1 row completed

RC:237 indicates 237 rows have been completed.

18 Comments

- Glaucia C
- June 4, 2024
Google Translate: I've always done as option 1 indicates. It never occurred to me to do anything different, as we started with the counter on row 0, so row 1 will only be recorded after passing the car to the other side!
- Glaucia C
- June 4, 2024
Sempre fiz como indica a opção 1. Nunca me ocorreu fazer diferente, pois começamos com o contador na carreira 0, assim a carreira 1 só será registrada depois de passar o carro para o outro lado!
- Judy H
- May 26, 2024
If you own a copy of Garment Designer, that clearly follows #2: Work the decreases AFTER moving the carriage. You can tell because the generated shaping instructions show the row number, the direction of the carriage, and the decreases. One example is "Row 215, move carriage to right, decrease 4 stitches on the right." (I'm paraphrasing; the shaping instructions are in grid form rather than text.) In Garment Designer I've never seen more than one decrease at the starting side of a row (if you have alternate row shaping enabled) because you can bind off multiple stitches only on the side with the carriage and yarn feed; but on the other end of the row, you can decrease just one. So it follows that both are performed after the row is knitted. Other schemes might be different, but that's how Garment Designer handles it.
- Cherie S
- May 24, 2024
I was told when I started knitting, crocheting and other pattern work, that the row number mentioned was the row you were working on and the last thing you did when you completed all of the various "tasks" you pushed the row counter, ticked it off, or crossed it out. It's been working ,so I'll stay with the "Row Counter indicates the number of rows COMPLETED!"
- Terri S
- May 22, 2024
I think bothare ok as long as you are consistent within the object you are knitting
- Judy H
- May 21, 2024
I like an approach I read elsewhere: Don't think of the row as complete until the changes are made. So ... I go with answer #2. "Work increases on row 17" for me, means to knit row 17, then make the increases. I am STILL on row 17 -- and that completed row reflects the increases.
- Linda F
- May 21, 2024
I write patterns (for both hand and machine knitting) and I always indicate the current row as seen on the counter, as the time to complete the action specified. So I would indicate 016 for an increase to be done. It does appear that your pattern is doing it one step in advance. So when they say 017, they actually mean to move the sts around on 016. I find that quite confusing. We are all different :D
- Deanna F
- May 21, 2024
I appreciate this discussion. When I started, I found this very confusing, but I eventually worked it out since we start with zero rows. I would love to understand what appear to be discrepancies in the different ways to display DAK information. For most garments, when I print "Garment Notation" and "Garment Text," the shaping often occurs on one row later in "Garment Text" than what is in "Garment Notation" (and "Shaping as Xs"). I agree, it generally does not matter for most knits, but with chunky knits I sometimes have 3 rows to an inch and it seems important.
- Jenny M B
- May 21, 2024
For me, it depends on exactly what the pattern says. If it reads "At RC 123 increase ..." I will do just that. But if it reads "Increase on row 123" I will increase when the RC reads 122. "Increase on row 123" is slightly more confusing than my 2 examples but I would then increase when the RC reads 122. It probably isn't crucial to be exact to the row - 1 row difference will not make a difference! - but where increases/decreases are being made on alternate rows, as is often the case, they are usually done when the RC shows an even number, the equivalent of "right side row" in handknitting.
- SHIRLEY R
- May 21, 2024
Whichever way you choose, be consistent.
- Donetta P
- May 21, 2024
I think I see now. When the row counter reads 017 the increases would be completed within that row because you made the increase before you knit that row when the row counter still read 016.
- Hope R
- May 21, 2024
I agree - #1 is correct, but my brain works better if I make my changes when the RC says 017, 019 etc. So I trick my row counter by turning it ahead one. LOL its just a tool.
- Thomas P
- May 21, 2024
Once the row counter indicates the row # (in this example 17) stated in the pattern do your increases. Easy!
- Jenny B
- May 21, 2024
I agree that the confusion continues. My interpretation is as follows: Work the increase when I knit row 17. Which means, move the stitches when the row counter says 016 (16 rows have been completed). Then pass the carriage. Row 17 contains the increase.
- Sue J
- May 21, 2024
The confusion continues ?? #1 is correct (but is badly worded) ... the pattern reads "at RC017 do something" Perform the task when the row counter READS RC017
- Judith B
- May 21, 2024
I was wondering the same thing?
- Donetta P
- May 21, 2024
I agree with the other commenter. The answer does fit. Shouldn’t the row counter by at 016?
- Judy M
- May 21, 2024
If #1 is correct, in the Answer wouldn't the increase be worked when the row counter reads 16?