One of our most popular posts is about cross stitch gridding techniques and when I wrote the post, I thought it was the only real option. Either you grid or you count. But that isn’t the case. In fact, there is something else; a counting pin.
I had frankly never heard of these before, so not only did I have to look up what they were, but I had to buy some myself to check just how handy they were. And honestly, I was surprised how awesome they are.
In short, counting pins are just blunted pins, but longer and they normally have a cap so you can leave them in the fabric for a while. They solve the problem of recounting. If you don’t grid, you know you’re going to have to count, but thanks to those oops moments in the past, you keep recounting. Counting pins help do that:
The most common way to use them is when moving from one stitched area to another spot where you want to start stitching. For instance, if your next stitching point is 12 stitches left and 15 stitches down from completed stitch “A”, using the counting pin to count 12 stitches to the left of stitched point A. Insert the counting pin into that hole, bring it back up 2 or 3 stitches away and put the nut on the pin to anchor it. Take a second counting pin and count down 15 stitches from where the first pin was inserted. Insert the second pin at that point and anchor it. Then you can thread your needle and start stitching.
Tommye J Bunce (aka TJB Designs)
In addition you can use them to count out a long line of stitches. Instead of having to go back and count out how many you’ve stitched every-so-often.
But are they any good? Well, yes, I think they are. I start most of my stitching in the middle, as is the norm, and as a result, I tend not to need to grid things, but if I’m stitching a long line, or a phrase, placement of the next stitch, if its apart from the main body of the work, is always a worry-some moment. I count and count and count again. But with counting pins, I feel safe in the knowledge that I counted right. Considering you can pick them up for a few dollars, its worth having one on stand by.
Happy stitching,
Lord Libidan
Explore all our cross stitch guides to master everything from basics to advanced techniques.
Frequently Asked Questions
What do counting pins do in cross stitch?
Most cross stitch patterns require you to count numbers of stitches, and counting pins can help you remember where to stitch up to, especially on larger projects.
Are counting pins better than gridding?
The choice between gridding and counting pins is a personal one. Gridding tends to be better for counting, but takes a long time, and is an activity a lot of cross stitchers do not enjoy.
Can I make my own counting pins?
Yes, you can make your own counting pins by taking tapestry needles and adding an element to the top and bottom.