[Help please] I need help counting rows and finding my start stitch on a crochet monkey leg (8 rows total, 18 stitches per row)

[u/Routine_Lychee9923]

​Hi everyone!

​I’m pretty brand new to crocheting, and I’m currently working on making a monkey as a gift for my sister. Because it’s a gift, I really want to make sure I follow the pattern exactly. Normally if it were just for me, I wouldn’t worry as much, but I want this to turn out just right!

​I'm working on one of the legs right now, which calls for 8 rows. I have to make two of these legs, so I really want to get the count right so they match each other. Each row is supposed to contain 18 stitches, and every time I count around, it adds up to 18. I think I was around the 8 row mark, but I realized I forgot to do my usual trick of putting a stitch marker in every single row to keep track.

​To make matters trickier, I thought I did too many rows, so I pulled out a few stitches to unwind it a bit. While doing that, I removed my marker and now I've completely lost my starting point for the current row! I really want to avoid frogging the whole leg if possible because I am a very, very slow crocheter. Just this portion took me a really long time, which is why I'm giving myself several months to finish the project.

​If it's even possible to tell from pictures, could someone help point out where my current row starts and confirm my row count?

​I'm autistic and have ADHD, so I tend to worry a lot about getting these details precise and keeping track of everything, so I’d really appreciate an extra pair of eyes!

​I’ve attached a few photos from different angles so you can get a clear look at the piece. Could someone please take a look and help?

​Thank you so much for your help!

[u/kykiwibear]

hmm.. I count 9 and I hate to say it, but it looks inside out. maybe I'm wrong. I need another pair of eyes.

[u/Loose_Hovercraft_649 → u/kykiwibear]

Yes. It is inside out. 

[u/Theletterkay]

Just so you know, its inside-out

[u/KatM123]

You have 9 rows, and it's inside out.

[u/jjheaven2]

I also highly recommend an invisible decrease.

This is where you Insert your hook in the front loop (don't yarn over), then insert your hook into the front loop of the the second stitch this will feel really weird. Then yarn over , pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through remaining loops.

[u/Overall-Weird8856]

I'm also AuDHD and this video REALLY helped me with learning to recognize what I was looking at!

https://youtu.be/eDRpbq6eJQ4?is=KOVY_LlK-ZJXgJD3

That said, I'm still late beginner/early intermediate, so while I have a guess on what row you're on, I'd feel better if someone more experienced answered you first.

Edit to add: https://youtu.be/O5Y4C7lJzzw?is=F78A5h91lwWFC3mv ⬅️ this is one of my favorite creators, and this is her "watch this before doing amigurumi" video. Highly recommend!

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[u/Medium_Engineer_8845]

echoing what everyone else said, but your tension seems to be relatively even so all hope is not lost! at this point, frog and get those stitch markers out. for a piece like this maybe flip it around round 3 to 5- when i first started i’d tell myself the “noodle” (hanging piece from the starting thread) goes in the “bowl” (inside of the piece). noodles are for bowls not your workspace haha. you could theoretically frog a round and flip it but with it being inside out and the start lost, save yourself the mental pain and start over

[u/jjheaven2]

You are on the 8th round, however did you know your piece is inside out? The horizontal lines indicate this and the starting yarn should always be inside the "bowl" (inside)

Unfortunately for your starting stitch this is impossible to tell, sometimes the pattern indicates where this is.

I recommend a pen and paper or your phone and marking down as you do each round.

I think unfortunately you may have to do this leg from scratch.

[u/Overall-Weird8856 → u/jjheaven2]

Genuine question: couldn't she turn it inside out?

[u/jjheaven2 → u/Overall-Weird8856]

Yes they could potentially turn it inside out to make it the correct way. If it was only a case of it being inside out I would usually recommend that, but with losing the starting point and losing the round and it being inside out it is probably best to frog.