Count in manageable sections
For a long chain or row, place markers after a known group of stitches. Counting ten stitches at a time is easier to verify than trying to hold a large number in your head. For a shaped piece, mark increases, decreases, or repeat boundaries so you can check the structure as well as the total.
Keep the expected count visible
Many patterns state the stitch count at the end of a row or round. Write that number next to the current row, then compare your work before moving on. If the count is off, check the last repeat first: missed increases and accidental extra stitches are common causes.
Using SkeinHub
SkeinHub gives each project a saved counter and a pattern workspace. You can use the counter for a running stitch count or for the row or round that contains it, while keeping the pattern and project notes together. It is a progress aid, so you should still verify the finished stitch count against the instructions. See how to count stitches.
Avoid counting only at the end
If you wait until a large section is complete, one missed stitch can be difficult to locate. A quick check at the end of every row or round gives you a much smaller area to inspect.