Question about counting rows

[MarineWife]

When counting rows, do you count the stitches on the needle?

Also, after you've cast on and are doing stocking stitch, do you knit or purl the first row?

[zech13_9_goforgold]

The "rows" refers to each line of horizontal knitting you do. The number of stitches is the vertical part of your finished piece. So, when you've finished knitting or purling all the stitches on your needle, you've made one complete row.

When doing the stocking stitch, it doesn't matter whether you knit or purl first- unless you're doing some other pattern on the same piece of work. Your knit side is the flat, "right" side. The purl side is the bumpy, "wrong" side.

[MarineWife]

Thanks for the clarification of how to do the first row in stocking stitch.

Originally Posted by zech13_9_goforgold

The "rows" refers to each line of horizontal knitting you do. The number of stitches is the vertical part of your finished piece. So, when you've finished knitting or purling all the stitches on your needle, you've made one complete row.

Yeah, I know that. What I'm wondering is, when counting rows, do you count the row of stitches on the needle? I've noticed that, if I'm supposed to do x # of rows I end up with one extra when casting off, for example. Is that because I'm not counting the row of stitches on the needle?

[mom2snugbugs]

Question about counting rows

Well, they are a really cool band who sings "Mr.Jones" and "Accidentally in Love" among others.

Oh, you said, COUNTING ROWS!!

I'm not sure because I have the same question. Like when I increase or decrease on lets say a sleeve, I always try to be consistent. If anyone can give me the answer too, I'd be grateful.

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by mom2snugbugs

Well, they are a really cool band who sings "Mr.Jones" and "Accidentally in Love" among others.

Hehe! I love them!

[Delicateflower]

I do count the stitches on the needle.

Originally Posted by MarineWife

Also, after you've cast on and are doing stocking stitch, do you knit or purl the first row?

I use a long tail cast on which creates a row of knit stitches so I have to purl for the first row.

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by Delicateflower

I do count the stitches on the needle.

I use a long tail cast on which creates a row of knit stitches so I have to purl for the first row.

Thanks so much. I use a long tail cast on most of the time, too. I didn't realize it created a row of knit stitches. That explains why the end of my work always looks kind of funny to me. I always knit the next row again. I'll try purling next time.

[SophieAnn]

Originally Posted by MarineWife

When counting rows, do you count the stitches on the needle?

I know PP already replied to this, but yes, definitely count the stitches on the needle. The reason is because the row that is on your needle is a row that you have already knit.

I'm usually knitting the first row after I cast on, but I'm usually knitting in the round on dpns. For some reason, I seem to always be doing something round.

[MarineWife]

Originally Posted by SophieAnn

I'm usually knitting the first row after I cast on, but I'm usually knitting in the round on dpns. For some reason, I seem to always be doing something round.

Oh, good point. I started out knitting in the round and have only recently started knitting things flat. I always used a long tail cast on when knitting the round and then would knit the next row but, of course, every row is knit in that case. That explains why things weren't looking right to me once I started knitting flat.