some people (like the 'Thimble Lady') count the top & bottom stitches- thus achieving 20+ stitches per inch....other (more common) count only the stitches on top (achieving 10 stitches to the inch) it just depends on YOU and maybe who instructed you- either way is ok, correct. for those who count the top stitches it is the 'norm' for hand quilters to strive for 6-8 stitches per inch (which for those other people would mean 12-16 stitches per inch) it is generally better to concentrate on achieving nice- evenly spaced & evenly sized stitches instead of worrying about how many stitches there are- with practice they may be smaller- more to the inch- but the look, even(ness) and balance are going to be judged much more than the count.