Digital Row Counter Comparison: Susan Bates, Addi, Hobbii, and When to Use a Free Online Counter Instead
What Is a Digital Row Counter?
A digital row counter is a small electronic device — usually clip-on or handheld — that increments a number each time you press a button. The alternatives are a physical clicker counter, a tally mark on paper, or a mental count. Digital counters over paper: they are easier to see in low light and harder to accidentally misread. Digital counters over mental counting: there is no count to lose when you look up from your work. Most digital row counters for knitting and crochet count in one direction (up), display on a small LCD or LED screen, and run on a watch battery. Some models also have an alarm that vibrates or beeps at a set row target. The four brands that appear most in crafting circles are Susan Bates, Addi, Hobbii, and Red Heart.
Susan Bates Digital Row Counter
The Susan Bates digital row counter is the most recognized name in the category and the one most often stocked at big-box craft stores like Michaels. It is a small rectangular device, slightly wider than a thumb, with a single button that increments the count and a small LCD display. The battery is a standard CR2032, which is widely available and easy to replace. What it does well: consistent button feel, no ambiguity about what the button does, readable display in normal indoor lighting. Common complaints: the button requires deliberate pressure, which means quick taps can fail to register; the display is not backlit, so it is difficult to read in dim light; and there is no way to count down or set an alarm. The reset requires pressing and holding, which prevents accidental resets but makes intentional resets slightly awkward. Overall: a reliable workhorse that does exactly one thing. It is the right choice if you want something that clips to your project bag, requires no learning curve, and will not confuse you mid-row.
Addi Digital Row Counter (Knitting)
Addi is a German needle manufacturer, and their digital row counter reflects the same engineering attention as their needles. The Addi row counter is shaped to sit on the needle cable of a circular needle — it has an integrated clip designed for Addi needle cables but also works on most standard cables. The button click is lighter than the Susan Bates version, which makes rapid pressing easier. The display is larger relative to the device size. Where Addi stands out: the form factor is genuinely designed for circular knitting, so the counter stays at your fingertips without needing to be clipped elsewhere. Where it falls short: it is priced higher than the Susan Bates (roughly double at most US retailers), and because it is marketed primarily for Addi cables, it has less retail visibility. The cable clip can loosen over time with heavy use. Best for: knitters who use Addi circular needles, work on long circular projects (sweaters, blankets), and want a counter that lives on the needle itself.
Hobbii Digital Row Counter
Hobbii is a Danish yarn retailer with a growing line of crafting accessories. Their digital row counter follows a similar form to the Susan Bates — small, single-button, LCD display — but is typically sold at a lower price point, particularly when bundled with yarn orders. Build quality is adequate rather than excellent: the button has a softer feel than the Susan Bates, which some crafters prefer and others find imprecise. The display clarity is comparable. The main advantage of the Hobbii counter is price and convenience if you are already ordering yarn from them. It is not worth seeking out specifically as a standalone purchase compared to more widely distributed options. Durability reports are mixed — some users report the button becoming unresponsive after 6–12 months of heavy use.
Red Heart Digital Row Counter
Red Heart is primarily known as a yarn brand, and their row counter is a promotional or secondary product rather than an engineered tool. Construction is similar to the Hobbii version — small, lightweight, single button. It appears in craft store grab bins and is often purchased as an impulse buy. It works, in the sense that it counts reliably for most users under normal use. What it lacks compared to Susan Bates or Addi: better button tactile feedback, slightly less durable housing. For anyone who already has it, use it — it does the job. For anyone choosing between this and the Susan Bates at roughly similar prices, the Susan Bates has a longer proven track record.
Magnetic Switch Counters and Ring Counters
Two form factors that come up in search results but work differently from the standard LCD counters. Magnetic switch digital counters use a reed switch triggered by a small magnet — the magnet passes over the switch as you work, incrementing the count without a button press. These are popular with knitting machine users, where pressing a button while operating the machine is impractical, but less useful for hand knitting and crochet where button-pressing is easy. Ring counters are small counters designed to sit on your finger, keeping the counter at your working hand rather than clipped elsewhere. Some are mechanical (a rotating ring with numbered sections), some electronic. Electronic ring counters are useful if you find yourself fumbling for a clip-on counter mid-row. The main drawback is battery size — ring form factors use very small batteries that can be fiddly to replace.
When a Free Online Stitch Counter Is the Better Choice
A physical digital row counter is the right tool when you need to count rows away from a screen — in a yarn shop, on a couch without a nearby device, or on a long project where you do not want your phone nearby. It is not the right tool when you are already working near a screen, when you need to track both rows and stitches simultaneously, or when you want to set a stitch target per row. The ArtPatt online stitch counter handles two counters at once — one for rows, one for stitches within a row — and the stitch counter has an optional target that turns green when the row is complete. No battery required, no button to order, works on any phone, tablet, or desktop. The physical counters reviewed above do one thing well. The online counter does more, costs nothing, and is available immediately. If you are mid-project and need to count right now, open the ArtPatt stitch counter in a browser tab and start tapping.
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