Before I was able to purchase a row/stitch counter, I made this one with some beads and a pipe cleaner! I put a larger bead on each end, and then small ones in between. As I did a row or stitch, I moved one bead up towards the flower bead. The beads were snug enough on the pipe cleaner that they didn't move on their own. When If I had to stop before I was finished, I gave the pipe cleaner a little twist in between the beads.