crochetHow to use crochet stitch markers
Use removable markers to keep row edges, round starts and repeated groups easy to find.
In this guide
Choose markers that openMark the first and last stitchKeep track of round startsBreak a long count into groupsRemove temporary markers before giving the piece awayChoose markers that open
Crochet often traps a closed ring in the fabric. A locking or split-ring marker can be removed without undoing rows. Choose a size that passes through the yarn loop without stretching it or slipping away.
Clover Quick Locking markers come in small, medium and large sizes. The mixed set is useful if you change yarn thickness. The size variety is more important than collecting a large number of identical markers.
Mark the first and last stitch
After you make the first stitch of a row, place a marker in its top loops. Mark the last stitch too. On the return row, work into the marked stitch, then move the marker into the new stitch.
A turning chain can count as a stitch in one pattern and not in another. Place the edge marker according to the rule for that pattern. In our single-crochet practice strip, chain 1 does not count; in the double-crochet strip, chain 3 does.
Keep track of round starts
For a continuous spiral, place a marker in the first stitch of the round and move it as the next round begins. Do not add an extra joining slip stitch unless the pattern calls for one.
For joined rounds, identify what the beginning chain counts as and where the joining slip stitch goes. A marker in the top of the counted starting chain can make the join easier to locate.
Break a long count into groups
Mark repeat boundaries or every fixed number of stitches while counting a long foundation. Use a different color or size for the beginning of the row so it cannot be mistaken for a repeat marker.
A marker is a checkpoint, not a stitch. Count the stitches between markers and record whether you are marking the first stitch of a group or the boundary after it. Use the same convention throughout the project.
Remove temporary markers before giving the piece away
Check the completed object for temporary markers and loose ends. Replace any counting note with a saved project note or care label.
If a marker snags or distorts the fabric, choose a smaller or smoother removable marker and insert it through a complete loop. Do not force a thick marker through tightly worked yarn.