Short Rows: German Short Rows
Whether you’re new to knitting or a seasoned crafter, German Short Rows will surprise you! Like Wrap + Turn Short Rows, this method creates wedges in your knitting, shaping everything from curved hemlines to ear flaps. However, German Short Rows are even simpler than the Wrap + Turn technique, and since you can use German Short Rows in place of any Wrap + Turn instructions, you’ll probably return to them time and time again.
In this tutorial we break down German Short Rows into a few easy steps and also show you how to adapt them for Wrap + Turn instructions.
I loved the german short row tutorial. I will try it next fir sure and can see why it could become the preference!! Linda x
Will have to do it actually, to see whether it is easier than wrap and turn
It’s a great, clear tutorial, and would be even better if you just showed the result after you picked up each one.
Hi Debra,
Thanks for reaching out! One of the best parts of German Short Rows is that they are nearly invisible after they are picked up – if you look at the swatch shown in the very beginning of the video, the curved hem of the swatch is formed completely with German Short Rows, and they look almost the same as the rest of the stockinette in the swatch. You can see another example in the fourth image of our Lovely Lightweight Tee, which shows a closeup of the neckline that is shaped with German Short Rows.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I only know the continental knitting style. Will this work with my knitting?
Hi Mary,
Great question! Yes, German Short Rows work equally well whether you knit continental or not – just make sure to move your yarn to the front of the left hand needle before slipping the stitch for the short row.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Now I need a German short rows in the round tutorial.
Hi Rita,
Thanks for reaching out! Working German Short Rows in the round is actually exactly the same as you see in our video above! Since short rows are always worked back and forth, regardless of whether the piece you are working on is otherwise knit in the round or flat, the technique is worked the same for any project.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
What about resolving the last SR in the round?
Hello,
You can resolve that double stitch the same way as the others–by knitting it as one stitch!
All the best,
Lili
Great tutorial! Thank you!
I love the German short rows! Thank you for adding this video. I hope we see more German short rows in Purl Soho patterns in the future.
It would be so helpful if you could also produce alternate instructions for your current patterns that have W&T short rows. Sometimes when I am converting them to German short rows, it can get confusing, especially in the midst of other pattern notes. (When multiple things are happening in one row.)
Perhaps the conversion for German short rows could be listed in the Errata for printed patterns, and simply added to the online patterns as an option?
Hi Christine,
Thank you for writing in and for the kind words! I find it helpful to convert patterns to German Short Rows by thinking of the German Short Row as a whole step that includes knitting or purling one more stitch before turning, rather than trying to remember to knit or purl an extra stitch – for instance, if a pattern says to knit to 4 stitches from the end or previous wrap and turn and then work a wrap and turn, I find it much less confusing to knit to four stitches from the end and then work a German Short Row starting with knitting the turning stitch, rather than trying to remember to knit to 3 stitches from the end. However, I’ll be sure to pass your request along to the design team!
Best,
Julianna
I’ve watched both videos( German short row and wrap and turn). Both are new to me. I am not clear why German Short row is preferable.
Hoping to try out this sweater but want to get clearer first before trying something new on real piece
Thanks for clarifying
Hi Joanne,
Thanks for writing in! Many people prefer German Short Rows and find them easier to work and pick up, but it mostly comes down to personal preference! I would suggest knitting a swatch and experimenting with both German Short Rows and traditional Wrap and Turns to find out which method you prefer.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
Thank you so much for this video! The normal short row W&T method stresses me out, so this was a welcome learning experience. It was beautifully done and easy to understand. This is now going to be my short row method of choice.
Thanks so much for the clear and concise GSR tutorial! One question; are there any situations where you cannot substitute GSRs for wrap & turn? I’m hoping never to wrap another stitch!
Susan
Hi Susan,
Great question! Fortunately, you can almost always substitute the German Short Row technique, with just a few exceptions! The first would be in most garter stitch projects, because it’s often unnecessary to pick up the wraps anyways as they are well hidden in garter stitch. You can see this in action in our Garter Ear Flap Hat. If your pattern directs you to pick up the wraps, however, you can still substitute GSRs. The second situation that would not work well with a GSR would be a pattern that requires you to work stacked wrap and turns, or in other words, work a wrap and turn on the same stitch more than once. This isn’t too common, but does happen in some sock heels or items shaped in a spiral using short rows.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Thanks, Julianna, that’s valuable information!
I am very interested in trying this for a pair of socks I am knitting currently. My pattern says, S1, p17 turn, then Sl k16 turn and so on. In the video, when adapting a pattern, it shows working an additional stitch prior to turning and then perform the German short row stitch on the “additional” stitch. For my pattern, do I slip the “additional” stitch and then perform the German short row? or ??
Thanks for some insight.
Hello Shari,
Thank you for reaching out! Does your pattern call for wrap and turn short rows? If so are the slipped stitches being wrapped for your short rows? In this case your slipped stitches can be substituted for your additional stitch for your German short rows.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Great Tutorial. Clear, easy to understand visuals. So much easier than trying to read instructions.
I now feel confident to start my project that uses short rows.
Thank you for this clear, easy to follow tutorial. I like that you included the W+T at the end too.
Thanks for posting this! I am working on a pattern where it calls for the work to simply be turned (not wrap and turn). I would like to try German short rows as just turning the work is not looking so great. How would I adapt this into the pattern, do I need to create an extra stitch, create the double stitch as the 1st stitch in the short row section, or turn and create it the stitch before the short row section? . The pattern is Waiting for Rain by Softsweater knits and the short rows create lace panels.
Hi Sam,
Thanks for reaching out! I have knit this particular pattern, and I can say that the holes left from turning the work improve dramatically after blocking and look like part of the lace panel! However, if you would like to try a German Short Row instead, you would not want to adjust the number of stitches worked for each short row since that could throw off your lace pattern. Instead, you will simply work the double stitch immediately after turning your work.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
This doesn’t look like any of the short rows I’ve worked with, as they were all decreasing one stitch per row and this is not decreasing at all. So what’s the purpose of the “double stitch – knit together”? I’m going to assume it is shaping the piece, but in what way?
Hi Mary,
Thanks for reaching out! It sounds like your previous experience with short rows may have been in socks or slippers, which are often shaped with a type of short row that is resolved with a decrease, but there are many versions of short rows that don’t require a decrease! In the case of a sweater, you may want to add short rows to raise the back neck for a more tailored fit or to create a curved hem, but you wouldn’t want to get rid of any stitches in the process as that would affect the fit of the sweater. However, if you simply turn around in the middle of the row without taking any special steps, you will end up with a hole in your knitting! The double stitch itself doesn’t create any shaping, but it will prevent any unintended holes when working short rows.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Hi,
This was an amazing tutorial. I love all of them that you demonstrated.
As I am attempting to do socks this has been perfect for me. I would love it if you would do a tutorial on making socks. I have made many of your sweaters for others, and find your patterns easy to follow.
Thanks again for everything.
A Canadian Patron.
Hi Lynn,
Thank you for reaching out and for your kind words! I am so glad to hear that you have been enjoying our patterns and tutorials! Thanks you for expressing your interest in a sock tutorial, I will be sure to pass this along to the team!
All the best,
Gianna
German short rows seem much easier to me. You can actually see where they are when you come to them by the 2 little legs. Wrap and Turns are hard t find on the other side. I know if I get in a very un-lazy mood and concentrate, I could get the knack of Wrap and Turns. Until then, I wing it the best I can. 🙂
Thanks so much for answering everyone here in the most pleasant of ways!
Pat in NJ
Hi Patricia,
Thanks for reaching out and for your kind words! I am so glad to hear that you enjoyed this tutorial and I agree, German Short Rows can be much easier to identify!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
Hi Purl Soho,
Which stitches were knit for the curve in the completed swatch at the very beginning of the tutorial?
Hi Klara,
Thanks for reaching out! The finished swatch at the beginning of the video shows the finished product of the German Short Rows, you can see exactly which stitches we worked in the video to get the curve.
I hope this helps!
Gianna
can you knit german short rows with a cable pattern?
Hi Susan,
Thanks for reaching out! We typically use Short Rows: Wrap and Turns for cable patterns but you may be able to use German Short Rows instead!
Warmly,
Gianna
Thank you so much for this tutorial. I have been *struggling* with a standard W&T in the Cambra sweater pattern for too too long. This is so clear and I’m definitely going to convert. I’m grateful for the clarity of this video but also the confidence you’ve instilled in me : )
Having used the GSR method for some time I knew I was short a stitch when following a W&T pattern which caused me to abandon the project. THANK YOU for demonstrating how simple it is to solve that problem. Now I can easily use GSRs for Stephen West’s Spectra pattern without the bother of W&T. Purl SoHo rocks!
Hi Fred,
Thanks for reaching out and for your kind words! I am thrilled that you found our tutorial so helpful and are able to complete your project!
Happy knitting!
Gianna
GAME CHANGER! Very timely as I just got to the neckline of a sweater and was dreading the short rows because I always lose track of where the wrap is. No worrying about wraps anymore! Thank you,
Than you for a great tutorial. I am working on a pattern in reverse stockinette stich and subsituting wrap and turn with German short rows. However, it creates unsigtly bumps and I am wondering whether wrap and turn would look better?
Hi Anna,
Thanks for reaching out! Hmm that is interesting! I haven’t heard of problems with bumps happening with German Short Rows before, so I am not sure what may be causing that! You could certainly use the wrap and turn method and that may help eliminate these bumps!
I hope this helps and please let me know if you have any more questions!
Warmly,
Gianna
Thanks so much for this clear video on GSRs ❤️
When adding short rows to a pattern that doesn’t have them, how do you know how far to knit each row? Is there a calculation involved? I’m knitting a raglan chimney neck sweater that looks bad without short rows
Hi Peggy,
Thanks for reaching out. There is not any specific way to add short rows to a pattern that doesn’t have them originally, which means it’s completely up to you! You can choose where you place the short rows (e.g. at the bottom of the yoke, around the neckline, etc.) and how far they extend (e.g. halfway around the sweater, most of the way around the sweater, etc.). Personally, I like the fit of sweaters with short rows that occur right below the neckline and wrap most of the way around. But there is no wrong way to work them! Hope this helps.
All the best,
Lili
HELP! 🙂
I am working on the Purl Soho Quartz Pullover pattern. I just watched the helpful tutorial on GSR’s. Thank you!
However, I am completely confused as to what to do AFTER making the double stitch. Do I keep purling to the end of the round? Or do I turn the work back around & keep knitting? Or do I begin the next row right smack dab in the middle of where I am?
For reference, I am at the part of the pattern that says “Shape Shoulders & Back/Neck”. It gives absolutely no indication of what to do after making the double stitch.
Thanks for your rescue!
Hi Gina,
Thanks for reaching out. I can absolutely help clarify what’s going on while you create a double stitch! The first step of making any double stitch is to turn the work so that the opposite side is facing you. This automatically causes you to start working in the opposite direction once you’ve completed the double stitch, thus creating the “short” row! So for Short Row 1 in this section of the pattern, you work through all the knit stitches with the right side facing you, but when you get to the instructions “make double stitch,” you turn your work so that the wrong side is facing you and then make the double stitch. That way, you’re all set to start working the purl stitches in Short Row 2 on the wrong side! Hope this helps.
All the best,
Lili
I just realized that I submitted a question regarding substituting German shirt rows for the wrap and turn short rows but I didn’t refer to the Wheelwright pattern which is the project pertinent to my question. I inadvertently left out that detail! Looking forward to your assistance and as ever thank you.
Hi Melinda,
No worries at all! You had posted your question on the page for the Wheelwright Shawl, so I totally knew what pattern you were referring to. I just replied to your comment there, so you can read my reply at this link.
All the best,
Lili
She says work up to the stitch in question and then work one more stitch, what if the pattern is more specific and doesn’t call for you to work that one more stitch? By doing so aren’t you going to throw off your pattern?
Also, do these stitches not leave thick obviously different stitches showing in the work or cause holes similar to YOs??
Hi Kerry,
Thanks for writing in. When following a pattern that was designed using German short rows in particular, you can absolutely just follow exactly what your pattern indicates! Laura mentioned working up to the stitch in question and then working one more stitch as a way to adapt a pattern written for wrap + turn short rows so that you can use German short rows instead. If you’re not adapting the pattern, then you do not need to work this extra stitch!
In answer to your second question, there are no lumps or gaps in the finished fabric after working short rows! You’ll get rid of any irregularities once you knit the double stitches. I hope this helps clarify things!
All the best,
Lili
Thanks for most explicit videos on GSRs ( for a purl or knit row) I’ve found. Pattern: Circular knit in a 2×2 rib bought from a Ukrainian shop specifies neither W&T nor GSR. Just calls for 10 RS/WS decreasing short rows with e.g., “Row 2 (WS)1K sl., 74 rib stitches, 1K. Row 3 (RS) 1 P sl., 70 rib sts, 1P.” For GSR, after I knit or purl an extra stitch in rib, do I turn my work inside out and follow your instructions for GSR for a purl row, or for a knit row, depending on what my next ribbing stitch would be?
Hi Catherine!
Thank you for reaching out to us! We are so glad you found our German Short Rows Tutorial to be helpful! Based on your instructions, it looks like you are first turning your work, slipping the first stitch on your left needle to your right needle to create the double stitch, and then proceeding with your rib pattern. When you reach the one stitch of your rib at the end of the short row, knit or purl that stitch in pattern, and then turn your work to begin the next short row. Follow our tutorial instructions for the first rib section that you will be knitting in the upcoming short row. So if your next rib is a purl, follow the purl side instructions so that your working yarn will be in the front of your work to begin purling after the double stitch!
I hope this helps!
All the best,
Margaret
Hi,
I have a question regarding subbing the gsr for a pattern calling for w&T:
I know to knit 1 more on the knit side
so, the pattern says k18, w&t
I would K19, gsr; correct?
And, I just want clarification when I turn from there:
The pattern then says to P16, w&T
so I would…What? Would I P17, gsr?
Thanks! for some reason, Im drawing a blank, even though I’ve done gsr’s a zillion times!
Hi Strix,
Thanks for reaching out. Yes, you will need to purl an extra stitch before making the double stitch as well! Hope this helps clarify things.
All the best,
Lili
Thank you, Lili. I think I’m on knitting-overload and forget the simplest things sometimes. :^)
Thank you for this. I am trying a pattern that uses GSRs and the tutorial included with it did not help me – I really needed this video!! My question is about something else included in that pattern – the designer includes a “m1rds” stitch – make 1 right into double stitch. It’s very confusing. I was wondering if you could help clarify it or make a video of it because it’s driving me bonkers!! Here is a screenshot of the tutorial in the pattern: https://imgur.com/a/icYHAg2
Hi Bobbie,
Thanks for reaching out. While this technique is unfamiliar to me, I took a look at the photo you linked, and I think I can help clarify the instructions! When you create a double stitch, the purl bump from the original stitch will get pulled up a bit. This extended purl bump is the “loop” that the photo mentions. All you need to do with it is insert the tip of your needle into the left leg of the loop and knit a stitch with it. Then, just knit the double stitch as one stitch, like usual, and that’s it! I hope this helps.
All the best,
Lili
Hi, I’m about to start the stripey half&half wrap. Can one substitute the w&t short rows with German short rows? Thanks in advance. Sabine
Hi Sabine,
Thanks for reaching out. Generally, you can use German short rows instead of wrap + turn short rows with just a small modification! However, we do not recommend doing so for the Striped Half + Half Triangles Wrap. That’s because we use some very specific types of wraps in that pattern in order to make the most seamless color transitions. Because of that, we highly recommend working the pattern as written! If wrap + turn short rows are daunting, then we’d recommend checking out our tutorial on that technique. Hope this helps!
All the best,
Lili
I’m working on a garter stitch scarf and after I’ve turned the project, brought the stitch to the right needle and pulled up. What next? I don’t want to bring the yarn back to the front and continue in a purl which would spoil the garter stitch pattern.
Can I just pull up the yarn creating the double stitch and continue knitting?
Hi Linda,
Thank you for writing in with your question! To create a German short row in garter stitch, you will do exactly as you have done and then just continue knitting in the other direction. So the steps are as follows:
1. Knit to the stitch you will begin your short row.
2. Turn your work leaving your working yarn in front.
3. Slip the stitch from the left needle to the right.
4. Pull up on the working yarn to create the double stitch. Your yarn will now be in the back because you are pulling it up and to the back.
5. Continue knitting the rest of your row.
I hope this helps but please let us know if you have any other questions!
Happy knitting,
Gavriella