Crochet stitch counters are must-have accessories, especially for those using patterns. Whether crocheting as a hobby or professionally, the counters should be on your to-buy list if not already in your tool kit.
Crochet stitch counters are digital or mechanical accessories that help you keep track of the number of stitches or rows as you crochet. This is so you don’t have to constantly remember this vital piece of information. With the countless things running on your mind while you crochet, it is not easy to recall numbers all the time.
With a crochet stitch counter, you only need to push a button after every row or number of stitches and the information is on display. You can also keep it with your work aside and pick up from where you left without having to struggle to recall what row you were on.
If you just realized what you’ve been missing out on, this post will help you navigate the market and find the best crochet stitch counter. We’ll outline the specific things you should be looking for and also review the 5 best products.
Choosing A Crochet Stitch Counter
There isn’t enough detailed information out there about what to look for when choosing crochet stitch counters. Well, here is an opportunity to learn before heading out to the market blindly.
1. Type Of Counter
Crochet stitch counters come in all shapes and sizes. There are traditional ones which are manual and the fancier modern digitized versions. The traditional crochet stitch counter comes in the form of a pendant you can make into a necklace by attaching a cord.
They have two to five rows of numbers, 0 to 9. You have to manually adjust it to the number you need by clicking a button that progresses the numbers positively.
The greatest advantage of these old-school counters is that they are simple in design. They don’t need power to work and will never die on you unexpectedly. The system is so basic yet effective; it’s hard for it to malfunction.
Then there are the electric or digital crochet stitch counters that run on batteries and have LCDs. You can wear these as a finger band.
There are also the less common digital crochet hooks pre-installed with a similar tracking system. These two types of crochet stitch counters are fancy and cool but can let you down if they suddenly die.
Therefore, one of the most crucial things to check if you opt for this type of crochet stitch counter is the battery life. You also need to ensure the display is legible.
2. Quality And Quantity
Always check that the brand is reputable and the unit is sturdily built. You do not want to replenish counters every now and then.
Alternatively, go for numbers. Some crochet stitch counters are sold individually. Others come in sets of two, four, or more.
A set offers more value for money because you get more products for less. Also, you’ll have an emergency replacement ready in case the one you were using gets misplaced or malfunctions.
3. Count Range
How far do you want your crochet stitch counter to count? Most traditional clickers will count up to 99 and that works for many patterns. However, if you need to go further, then opt for models with a higher digit count like 9999.
4. Convenience And Comfort
Wearing a counter around your finger may be more practical, especially when moving with speed. It means you don’t have to free your hand to click a button compared to when it is hanging on the neck like a necklace.
If you choose the former, consider the fit and the material too as any discomfort may reflect on your work.
Opt for silicone or rubber straps if you choose a ring or band. They are less likely to react with the skin. Your crochet stitch counter should also be lightweight.
The 5 Best Crochet Stitch Counters
Moving on, this is the exciting part where we reveal the best crochet stitch counters. There’s a myriad of products out there but after thorough research, we shortlisted them to the best five. Here are their reviews.
| Rank | Product | Key Features |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Clover Knitting Stitch Counter Mini Kacha-Kacha | Reliable, manual, pendant |
| 2. | Koicaxy Electronic Finger Counter | 7pcs, colorful, digital |
| 3. | KTRIO Pack of 6 Color Hand Tally Counters | 6pcs, manual, reliable |
| 4. | Herrschners Susan Bates Digital Row Counter | Battery operated, digital, reset button |
| 5. | Afunta Finger Counters | Bedazzled, 7 pack, several colors, digital |
1. Clover Knitting Stitch Counter Mini Kacha-Kacha
Clover is a popular maker of knitting and crocheting notions. Our first pick, known as the Kacha Kacha, comes from the very same.
It is a pendant-style mechanical crochet stitch counter that you can suspend on your neck like a necklace using a lanyard. It is small and lightweight so it will not appear cumbersome on your neck.
It has a simple design that is super easy to use. You just have to press the clicker button at the top and the digit will move to the next number.
The clicker counter is fully mechanical so there are no unpleasant surprises from power outages as with battery-operated counters when their power source runs out.
Where this counter outshines other brands out there is the lock feature. The device has a white lever on the bottom left side used to lock the counter.
Therefore, you can throw it in your handbag or pocket without fear of accidental counting. You will continue exactly where you left.
The construction is great, including its sturdy case. It comes in only bright green, which is easy to spot among your stash of crocheting supplies.
This crochet stitch counter’s digits are very clear, and it counts up to 99. After 99, it resets to 00 so any extra row will technically be 101, but registered as 01.
There is a dial that enables you to reset back to 00 manually. However, turning the wheel can get tedious. Please note that the lanyard is not included with the purchase and you must buy it separately.
The mini Kacha Kacha is simple, very dependable, and durable. And as they say, old is gold; other counters are nowhere near as dependable as this.
2. Koicaxy Electronic Finger Counter
If the old-school mini Kacha Kacha didn’t excite you, then perhaps this 7-piece set of colorful digital crochet stitch counters will get you stocked.
You get 7 pieces of counters in beautiful candy colors. They are hard to misplace because of the bold colors. This means you can color-code different projects, eliminating confusion.
These beauties have an LCD screen with bold numbers that are easy to read. Rubber straps attach them to your fingers.
They are battery-operated, and each can run up to two years with moderate use, which is just fantastic.
The design is compact and lightweight yet durable. You’ll barely feel it there thanks to the ABS casing.
The buttons are conveniently placed for easy access. The count button is large enough and there’s also a reset button to take you back to 0.
The device is programmed to count up to 99,999, while the screen auto-locks after 15 minutes of inactivity. You can carry on from where you stopped with a tap of the screen.
Note that a push of the button while on sleep mode will increase the count by one or more numbers and mislead you. There is no locking feature, unfortunately. But for the price, quantity, and effectiveness of these counters, they are worth every penny.
3. KTRIO Pack of 6 Color Hand Tally Counters
The KTRIO crochet stitch counter set is a serious upgrade from the traditional mechanical counters. It is not digital but has the fancy aesthetic of digital stitch counters.
For starters, you get 6 pieces in a set, all brightly colored. You can assign them to multiple projects based on their different color.
The industrial-grade plastic body makes it lightweight yet strong. It is also small enough to fit comfortably on the palm that is hook-free.
There’s a ring for the finger to secure it better and the count button is strategically located below where the thumb should be.
The counter has 4 digit spaces and goes as far as a 9999 count. Thankfully, it’s super easy to zero out with a push of the reset knob.
Using it is a no-brainer, and the fact that it is mechanical and not battery operated makes it very reliable.
Despite not having a lock feature, the count button is cleverly designed and is not the easy to move accidentally.
4. Herrschners Susan Bates Digital Row Counter
You haven’t done crochet long enough if you haven’t heard of Susan Bates’s line of accessories. Well with this digital crochet stitch counter you will never lose your place.
It is made from plastic that is strong with smooth adjustable straps for your finger. The count and reset functions are conveniently located. You never need to put your work down again to count, unlike the pendant-style counters.
The display is LCD and the digits are vivid and clear. The counting button is large and there is also a smaller reset button.
Bates row counter is battery operated, but given its solid reputation for quality, it will last many years without the need for replacement.
5. Afunta Finger Counters
Lastly is the Afunta 7 piece finger counter set. It comes in attractive colors for your color-coding needs.
Each counter is lightweight and comfortable on the finger thanks to adjustable rubber straps.
The five-digit count counter goes from 0 to 99,999. A reset button exists to quickly clear it back to zero. The set arrives ready to use pre-installed with a high-quality battery that lasts up to two years.
The best thing about these finger counters is that, unlike the many others, the displays have a button to activate a backlight. This significantly improves screen visibility.
That brings us to the end of our reviews. Hopefully, you can now select a good crochet stitch counter from any of the above recommendations. No matter the distraction, you’ll ace your crochet game.
Up Next: How Long Does It Take To Crochet A Blanket?
