Cast-On Counter
Count stitches placed on needles.
How Cast-On Counter Works?
The Cast-On Counter works by adding 1 to Stitches Cast On for every loop you place on the needle. Required Total holds the cast-on number from the pattern.
Enter the cast-on total
Press → to raise Required Total to the number in the pattern, or ← to lower the goal.
Tap for each loop
Tap the count pad or press Space after each new stitch sits on the needle. Press ↓ if a loop falls off.
Count faster in blocks
Pick Step by 10 and tap once every 10 stitches for cast-ons above 200 stitches. Place a marker at every tap.
Confirm and reset
Compare Stitches Cast On with Required Total before row 1. Press Reset Count to start over if the numbers differ.
Cast-On Counter Formula
The Cast-On Counter formula for a long-tail cast-on is tail length = stitches × yarn per stitch + 6 in (15 cm) extra. Yarn per stitch is about 3 times the needle circumference.
- Long-tail length
Tail = S × y + 6 inS is the cast-on count and y is the yarn used per stitch.
- Yarn per stitch estimate
y ≈ 3 × π × needle diameterA 4 mm (US 6) needle uses about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) per stitch.
- Stitches remaining
Left = T − CT is Required Total and C is Stitches Cast On.
Worked example: A 180-stitch cast-on on 4 mm (US 6) needles needs a tail of 180 × 1.5 + 6 = 276 in (7 m), which is 7.7 yd. At 132 stitches cast on, 48 remain.
Cast-On Counter Conversion Table
The Cast-On Counter conversion table gives the long-tail length needed for common cast-on counts at 3 needle sizes.
| Stitches | 3 mm (US 2.5) | 4 mm (US 6) | 5 mm (US 8) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 1.4 yd (1.3 m) | 1.8 yd (1.7 m) | 2.3 yd (2.1 m) |
| 80 | 2.6 yd (2.4 m) | 3.5 yd (3.2 m) | 4.4 yd (4 m) |
| 120 | 3.8 yd (3.5 m) | 5.2 yd (4.7 m) | 6.5 yd (5.9 m) |
| 160 | 5.1 yd (4.6 m) | 6.8 yd (6.2 m) | 8.6 yd (7.9 m) |
| 200 | 6.3 yd (5.7 m) | 8.5 yd (7.8 m) | 10.7 yd (9.8 m) |
| 260 | 8.1 yd (7.4 m) | 11 yd (10.1 m) | 13.9 yd (12.7 m) |
| 320 | 9.9 yd (9.1 m) | 13.5 yd (12.3 m) | 17.1 yd (15.6 m) |
Values include 6 in (15 cm) of extra tail. Thick yarn needs more length per stitch than thin yarn.
What is Cast-On Counter?
A Cast-On Counter is a tally tool that counts the stitches you place on the needle before the first row. Every later row depends on the cast-on, so a wrong starting count changes the width and the pattern repeats of the whole piece.
Cast-ons of 200 to 400 stitches for blankets, shawls and sweater hems are hard to count by eye. Recounting a long cast-on twice often gives two different answers.
The Stitches Counter Cast-On Counter keeps the goal next to the count and saves both in your browser after each tap.
What are the uses of Cast-On Counter?
There are 5 main uses of the Cast-On Counter, including large cast-ons, repeat checks and tail planning.
Large cast-ons
Blanket cast-ons of 250 stitches or more stay accurate with a tap per stitch or per block of 10.
Repeat checks
Confirm the cast-on is a multiple of the pattern repeat plus edge stitches before row 1.
Long-tail planning
Use the tail formula to avoid running out of tail at stitch 170 of 180.
Provisional cast-ons
Count the loops on waste yarn before you pick them up later.
Re-starts
Return to the same count after a dropped needle or a phone call.
About the Cast-On Counter
Eliminate casting on 200+ stitches only to lose count at stitch 184. Tap or press space with each cast-on loop for effortless precision.
How to Use This Tool Efficiently
- ✓Place a locking stitch marker every 25 or 50 stitches to verify groupings.
- ✓Use long-tail cast-on calculations to avoid running out of tail yarn before reaching your count.
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