7 Best Row Tracking Dice For Gaming Knitters
Keep your patterns on track with these 7 top-rated row counting dice. Discover durable, stylish tools that simplify complex knitting projects effortlessly.
Tracking your progress through a complex lace chart or a long-repeat cable pattern is the bane of many knitters’ existences. Conventional plastic click-counters often get lost in the couch cushions or accidentally reset when tossed into a project bag. Using RPG dice as row counters offers a tactile, satisfying, and highly visible solution for keeping your place. Here are seven of the best options to integrate into your knitting practice.
D&D Polyhedral Set: The Classic Gamer Choice
The standard seven-piece polyhedral set is the entry point for most gamers, and it translates perfectly to the knitting world. A ten-sided die (d10) is particularly useful for tracking rows up to ten, while a d20 can handle longer pattern repeats.
Because these sets are ubiquitous, they are an incredibly affordable way to start tracking. You can find them in every color imaginable, allowing you to color-coordinate your counter with your current yarn choice. If you are working with dark mohair, a high-contrast, bright neon set makes finding your count effortless.
However, these sets are lightweight and can roll away if your workspace is cluttered. If you are prone to dropping your tools, consider keeping a small silicon mat or a felt bowl nearby to act as a "dice tray" for your row counter.
Chessex Speckled Dice: Best for Pattern Rows
Chessex Speckled dice are famous for their unique, confetti-like aesthetic that hides wear and tear beautifully. For a knitter, this means the numbers remain high-contrast and easy to read even after months of being buried in a project bag with sharp needles.
These dice have a slightly larger, more rounded profile than standard factory-molded dice. This makes them easier to grip if your hands are tired after a long session of working with high-twist wool or unforgiving cotton. The rounded edges also prevent them from "sticking" to textured fabrics like bouclé or tweed.
One minor tradeoff is that the speckled finish can occasionally obscure the number if you have poor lighting. Always check the contrast of the ink against the speckles before you commit to using a specific die for a complex pattern.
Kraken Dice Sets: Durable Resin for Knitters
Kraken Dice are known for their high-quality resin and sharp, crisp edges. This durability is essential for knitters who travel frequently and need tools that won’t chip or fade when tossed into a luggage compartment alongside metal circular needles.
The resin used in these sets is remarkably dense and smooth to the touch. This provides a satisfying sensory experience, which actually helps with the "gamification" of finishing a row. When you reach the end of a long, tedious stockinette section, the act of picking up a premium, smooth die feels like a genuine reward.
Keep in mind that these sets are often slightly heavier than budget plastic options. While this prevents them from being accidentally knocked over by a stray yarn tail, they aren’t the best choice if you are trying to keep your travel knitting kit ultralight.
Die Hard Metal Dice: Weighted for Stability
If you knit in a busy environment—perhaps with pets or children nearby—lightweight plastic dice are a liability. Die Hard metal dice provide the necessary weight to stay exactly where you put them on your side table.
The heft of these dice is truly impressive, and they offer a level of stability that no plastic counter can match. When you set a metal d10 to "8," it stays there. You won’t find it skittering across the floor because of a stray movement from your yarn ball.
Be aware that these can be hard on delicate surfaces. If you knit on a glass table or a finished wooden heirloom, you might want to place the die on a coaster. The weight is a benefit for stability, but it is a potential hazard for your furniture.
Udixi Hollow Metal Dice: Lightweight Tracking
Hollow metal dice are a fascinating middle ground between the weight of solid metal and the portability of plastic. They feature intricate, lattice-like designs that are beautiful to look at and surprisingly light in the hand.
These are an excellent choice if you want the durability of metal without the bulk. Because they are hollow, they have a distinct, musical "clink" when you turn them. For many knitters, this auditory feedback serves as a pleasant "ding" that signals the completion of a row.
The only downside is that the intricate cutouts can sometimes catch on loose fibers. If you are working with a delicate, single-ply yarn or a fuzzy silk-mohair blend, be careful not to let the yarn snag on the die’s ornate edges.
Bescon Glow-in-the-Dark: Best for Night Knits
There is nothing quite like knitting by the soft light of a lamp after the house has gone quiet. Bescon’s glow-in-the-dark dice ensure that you never lose your place in a chart, even when the ambient light is low.
These are particularly useful for knitters who struggle with eye strain. Instead of squinting at a tiny plastic clicker or trying to read a dark-colored counter, the glowing numbers provide a clear, illuminated target. They essentially act as a mini-beacon for your project progress.
Note that the intensity of the glow depends on how much light they have absorbed during the day. If you keep them in a dark project bag, they won’t glow at night. Keep them on your windowsill or under a lamp during the day to ensure they are ready for your evening knit.
Wiz Dice Bag of Holding: The Value Multi-Pack
If you are a knitter who keeps multiple projects on the needles at once, the Wiz Dice "Bag of Holding" is an essential investment. This multi-pack provides a massive variety of dice, allowing you to assign a specific set to every active project.
Having a dedicated counter for each project saves you from the frustration of forgetting your row count when you switch between a sock, a sweater, and a scarf. You simply pick up the project and the die is already sitting there, waiting at the correct row.
The quality is consistent, though perhaps not as premium as individual resin sets. For the sheer utility of having a dozen counters ready to go, this is the most practical choice for the prolific multi-project knitter.
How to Use RPG Dice to Track Your Knitting Rows
Using a die is simple: assign a die to your project and rotate it to the current row number after every completed pass. For patterns with more than ten rows, use two dice—one for the ones column and one for the tens column.
This method is superior to digital apps because it doesn’t require you to put down your needles, unlock a phone, or find your glasses. It is purely tactile. By keeping the die on your project bag or a nearby tray, you turn the act of tracking into a muscle-memory habit.
If your pattern has a 24-row repeat, use a d10 for the ones and a d4 or d6 for the tens. This system is infinitely scalable regardless of how complex your cables or lace motifs become.
Why Gamified Tracking Increases Knitting Speed
Gamification works by providing a "micro-win" at the end of every row. When you physically rotate the die, you are acknowledging a tangible accomplishment, which triggers a small dopamine release that keeps you engaged.
This is especially helpful for "process" knitters who might otherwise get bored with long, repetitive sections of stockinette. By turning the row count into a game of "how fast can I reach the next number," you naturally increase your pace.
It also helps prevent the "I’ll just do one more row" trap from turning into an accidental all-nighter. When the die hits the final number of your repeat, it provides a clear, logical stopping point for your session.
Essential Features for Knitting Row Counter Dice
When choosing your dice, prioritize high-contrast ink and clear, legible typography. Avoid "fancy" fonts that are difficult to read at a glance, as your eyes will be tired from tracking stitches.
- Weight: Consider if you need stability (metal) or portability (resin).
- Size: Standard 16mm dice are usually the easiest to handle.
- Material: Ensure the surface is smooth so it won’t snag your yarn.
- Contrast: High-contrast numbers are non-negotiable for low-light knitting.
Ultimately, the best counter is the one that stays within arm’s reach. If you find yourself consistently forgetting to turn the die, try clipping it to your project bag with a small carabiner. Make the tool part of your rhythm, and you will never lose your place in a pattern again.
Integrating RPG dice into your knitting kit is a simple, effective way to bring order to your most complex projects. Whether you choose the stability of metal or the vibrant colors of resin, the right die acts as a reliable partner for your creative work. Choose a set that fits your personal style, keep it visible, and enjoy the satisfaction of watching your row count climb. Happy knitting, and may your gauge always be consistent.
