just wanted to share this since we famously struggle with counting our first row/chain. haven't seen anyone else do this... people mention putting stitch markers every ten stitches (I think as you're working?) which works fine, but is a bit of a hassle introducing friction to me. especially having to remove that many! I just wanna get crocheting alreadyyyy!

so instead, I poke a thinner, long hook through every tenth/twentieth stitch when I count. so I have a checkpoint to go back to if I'm unsure/distracted. then I just count the loops and add a 0 at the end to get the actual number + any stitches after the last poke/loop. once you know the count is correct, the hook simply slides out in the blink of an eye!

maybe this is obvious but I hope it can make the start of some projects smoother :3

(bonus, the thin hook helps me count each section too, by kinda pointing it at the space between stitches, sometimes this tactile counting is easier for me than visually counting the tops of stitches.)