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Mastering Short Rows in Knitting
Short rows are an essential technique for creating curves, slopes, and three-dimensional shapes in knitted fabric without increasing or decreasing stitches. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about short row knitting.
Key Concepts of Short Row Knitting
- Wrap and Turn (W&T)
- The most common short row method where you wrap the working yarn around the next stitch before turning your work to prevent holes.
- German Short Rows
- An alternative method that creates a double stitch instead of wrapping, often preferred for its clean appearance.
- Japanese Short Rows
- Uses removable markers to track the turning points, creating very precise shaping.
Short Row Techniques
Basic Wrap and Turn Method
- Knit to the turning point specified in your pattern
- Slip the next stitch purlwise from left to right needle
- Bring yarn to front between needles
- Slip same stitch back to left needle
- Turn work to begin working back
Picking Up Wraps
When you return to a wrapped stitch on subsequent rows:
- Insert needle under both wrap and stitch
- Knit them together to hide the wrap
Troubleshooting Common Issues
- Visible holes at turning points
- Ensure wraps are tight enough and properly picked up. Consider trying German short rows if this persists.
- Uneven tension
- Practice consistent wrap tightness. Some knitters find it helpful to use a smaller needle for the wrap stitch.
Projects Using Short Rows
Short rows are commonly used in:
- Sock heels (especially for wedge or boomerang heels)
- Shoulder shaping in sweaters
- Dresses and skirts with curved hemlines
- Shawls with crescent or asymmetrical shapes
Final Thoughts
While short rows may seem intimidating at first, they open up endless possibilities for creative shaping in your knitting projects. Start with simple applications like sock heels before moving to more complex garment shaping.
“Short rows are the secret weapon in a knitter’s toolkit – they transform flat fabric into something sculptural and dimensional.”
– Clara Parkes, The Knitter’s Book of Knowledge
