Short Rows tend to strike fear into the hearts of the uninitiated, but, like all knitting, there’s really nothing so mysterious about it.
Short Rows are used to create triangles or wedges within your knitting. They shape everything from bust darts to ear flaps. Basically, a Short Row is just that: a row that you don’t knit to the end of the needle. There are lots of ways to turn your work partway through a row, but our favorite is called a Wrap + Turn (wrp-t). This simple method prevents holes along the Short Rows and works well with many different stitch patterns.
Note that there are a few stitch patterns, including Garter Stitch, that don’t require any sort of special technique when it’s time to work back the other way. For these stitch patterns, you just turn the piece and work back the other way. Easy!
For a demonstration of the Wrap + Turn, watch our new Short Rows: Wrap + Turn video…
Wrap and Turn on the Knit Side
Keeping the yarn in back, slip the next stitch purlwise from the left needle to the right needle.
Bring the yarn forward as if to purl.
Slip the stitch from the right needle back to the left needle.
Bring the yarn to the back of the work as if to knit.
Turn the work so the purl side is facing you, ready to purl.
Wrap and Turn on the Purl Side
Keeping the yarn in front, slip the next stitch purlwise from the left needle to the right needle.
Bring the yarn back as if to knit.
Slip the stitch from the right needle back to the left needle.
Bring the yarn to the front of the work as if to purl.
Turn the work so the knit side is facing you, ready to knit.
Once you’ve completed your Short Rows, you’ll notice gaps in the knitting where you wrapped the stitches. To rectify this, you work across the entire row, closing the gaps by “picking up the wrapped stitches”.
Picking up the Wrapped Stitch on the Knit Side
Pick up the wrap with the right needle from front to back.
Then insert the right needle into the stitch that is wrapped.
Knit the wrap and the stitch together.
Picking up the Wrapped Stitch on the Purl Side
Pick up the wrap with the right needle from back to front
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Place the wrap onto the left needle, over and behind the stitch it was wrapping.
Purl together the wrap and the stitch that is wrapped.
That’s Short Rows! Not so scary!
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i think i understand the short rows tutorial, but what about when the pattern asks for shadow wrap short rows? also if pattern says SWSR then purl back, does that mean i just leave the stitches i just shadow wrapped as is until later?
thanks for helping…
Hi Jane,
Thanks for writing in! While I am not really familiar with Shadow Short rows, I am happy to try to help! My assumption, based on the standard short row technique, would be the that the shadow wrapped stitch would remain until later and you would turn your work and purl back across the rest of the stitches.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I have a pattern that references ‘German Short Rows.’ Is that the same as the method described here? Thanks!
Hello Amber,
Thank you for reaching out! German short rows are different than the technique used here. I would recommend doing a quick google search for them, there are some great resources for German short rows on other sites.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I have a pattern from a book, and I’ve looked everywhere for the errata and there is nothing. I don’t know what else to do.
The pattern calls for short rows but it doesn’t say how long.
Thanks in advance
Hello Marie,
Thank you for reaching out! Do you mean that the pattern does not tell you how many stitches to knit before wrapping and turning? My recommendation is to contact the designer, if possible, to try and resolve this issue.
I hope this helps and good luck!
-Marilla
I am working the knit before Christmas stocking, so am working in the round. When beginning the wrp-t short row, following the row instruction…do I continue knitting the full row in the round? If so how am I going to pick up that wrapped stitch? So confused…
Thanks
Hi Genevieve,
Thanks for reaching out! Sock heels are always so tricky at first! Each time you come to a wrap and turn, you will be turning around instead of continuing to knit in the round, and will do so until the entire heel is completed. However, if you follow the heel instructions row by row, I assure you that you will end up picking up all of the wraps by the time you are done!
Best of luck, and please let us know if you run into any other questions!
Julianna
Hi,
I am trying to knit the little hat for my unborn grandchild.
But I have great problems how to start .
I have no problems with the two first rows, but then what about next row? You say in description, knit to 7 from the second marker, wrp-t.
Ok ,then what?
Then next row, knit to 7 befors last marker, wrp- t,
then what?
The following 2 rows I guess I should knit 7, then wrp-t and knit 7 back, then next 2 rows, knit 6, wrp-t, knit 6 back, wrp-t and so on…
But what I dont understand is the knit 7 rows, wrp-t, how to do this?How to knit?
And should the wrp- t s be in the same line when I knitted back?
Sorry, I tried so manu Times, cannot understand how to do this.
Br Ann-Mari
Hello Ann-Mari,
Thank you for reaching out! Are you knitting Garter Ear Flap Hat? I believe this is the pattern you are referring to, but if I should still be able to help.
After you have placed your stitch makers you are ready to begin your short rows. If you are making the Baby size you will do the following;
Next Row- knit to 7 before second marker (When you get to the first maker you will just slip it) , Wrap and Turn
Next Row -Knit to 7 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
Next Two Rows (all sizes): Knit to 6 stitches before next marker, wrp-t.
This means that there are no knit rows between the wrap and turn rows. You will be working each ear flap separately.
I hope this clears thins up and let us know if you continue to have any issues!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I am doin garter stitch ear flaps and don’t quite understand what to do after first turn on the pearl side. Do I knit back to the first marker and then wrap and turn again? Thank you
Hello Sandra,
Thank you for reaching out! Are you you shaping the left ear flap? For this portion of the hat you are knitting every row. After you do your first wrap and turn your next row reads ” Knit to 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) stitches before next marker, wrp-t.” so depending on which size you are making you will knit to 7 (8, 9, 10, 11, 12) before next maker and then wrap and turn.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I just purchased the Twisted Rib Pullover pattern, which calls for short rows in Twisted Rib. I’m struggling with how to do short rows in Rib pattern, and the tutorials don’t have anything. Can you help?
Hi Margot,
Thanks for reaching out! Although it seems like ribbing would alter how you work short rows, surprisingly, it does not! You will still perform wrap and turns in the same way regardless of whether the stitch you are wrapping is a knit or a purl, and the tutorial above shows how to knit the wrap together with either a knit or a purl.
Best of luck and I hope that helps!
Julianna
I am struggling to find wrap and turn instructions when doing it on a ribbed (K1 P1) cardigan band. Any ideas for how to proceed when you turn the article and a different stitch is required….not all knit then all purl. Please Help!
Hi Carol,
Thanks for reaching out! Although it seems like ribbing would alter how you work short rows, surprisingly, it does not! You will still perform wrap and turns in the same way regardless of whether the stitch you are wrapping is a knit or a purl, and the tutorial above shows how to knit the wrap together with either a knit or a purl. After each turn, you will maintain the rib pattern by knitting your knits and purling your purls as usual.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Thank you Julianna! I must be making it too difficult!
I have a pattern that reads..to shape top,work to last 3 stitches, sst turn (for row 1&2)
Row 3 knit to last 6 stitches sst,turn, etc
My trouble is you never get back to the wrapped stitch ,how do you do this???
Hello Wendy,
Thank you for reaching out! I just want to clarify what “sst” means in your pattern. Does it abbreviate “slip slip turn”? If so it looks like as you shape your project you will not return to your wrapped stitches until you start knitting to them. Once you have finished shaping you will likely knit across all your wrapped stitches picking them up as you go.
I hope this makes sense and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
I can NOT see the instructions/video to pick up the wrap stitch In The Round. I understand how to do wrap-turn in flat knitting for right side and wrong side. Please advise how to pick up the ‘purl’ when knitting in the round. Stockinette stitch doesn’t have a WS.
I so appreciate all the help you can offer. Joan
Hello Joan,
Thank you for reaching out- this is a great question! When working in the round you will often be picking up your “purl” wrap and turns as you come to them on the knit side of your project. Using the right hand needle, you will pick up the wrap, placing it next to the wrapped stitch on the left hand needle and then you will knit the wrap together with its wrapped stitch. This should prevent holes from forming while still picking up the wrap!
I hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
Thank you for the tutorial. I have been searching in vain, though, for directions on how to pick up all the wrapped stitches on the front of the work when I am working in the round. The wrapped stitches lie differently on the left-hand side of work than they to on the right-hand side. I cannot seem to find any answers on this. When I pick up the wrapped stitches on the left-hand side of the work, they look fine, but they look terrible on the right-hand side. I even bought a book that specifically deals with short rows, and even that book did not have proper directions for working short rows in the round. Can you help? Thank you.
Hello Sandy,
Thank you for reaching out- I hope I can help! Picking up your purl wraps in the round is always a bit tricky. Using the right hand needle, you will pick up the wrap, placing it next to the wrapped stitch on the left hand needle and then you will knit the wrap together with its wrapped stitch. This should prevent holes from forming while still picking up the wrap!
I hope this helps and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Thank you so much Marilla. I will give this a try!
My pattern says to short row for shoulder. Says. Let stand 2×10 sts (2×11) and 3×8 sts 3×9 then work another row. Don’t understand what to do
Hello Patricia,
Thank you for reaching out! I’m not sure- is there perhaps some context before this line? Or is there a note section in your pattern?
I hope I can help!
-Marilla
I’m confused..when you turn, do you pick up and knit the wrap stitch or just plain knit …
Hello Joanne,
Thank you for reaching out! When you wrap and turn, you don’t knit the wrapped stitch, but rather place it back on your left needle before turning you work. When you come back to this stitch you will knit it with its wrap.
I hope this clarifies things for you and let us know if you have any further questions!
-Marilla
Possibly a basic question here, but when a pattern says to knit x number of stitches before the wrap, do I count the wrapped stitch? For example, if direction is knit to 1 stitch before last wrap, do I knit right up until the wrapped stitch, and consider the wrapped stitch the last stitch before the wrap, or stop knitting one stitch sooner?
Thank you for the helpful tutorial!
Hi Amanda,
Thanks for reaching out! When you are knitting to a certain number of stitches before a wrapped stitch, you do not count the wrapped stitch – for your example, when you knit to one stitch before the wrapped stitch, when you stop in the correct spot, you will have the wrapped stitch and one stitch on your left hand needle.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I an working on the April Shawl and having issues with the border. I don’t come up with enough stitches to do row fifteen. I watched your videos on wrap and turn an also short rows, I no longer have a yarn store close so any help will be greatly appreciated . Tyi.
Hi Shar,
Thanks for reaching out! Unfortunately I’m not familiar with that pattern so it’s hard to say what might have gone wrong. I would suggest reaching out to the pattern designer to see if he or she can offer some guidance on that step!
Best,
Julianna
Hi – I have practiced this numerous times but I still always get a slightly loosed area in the fabric where the wraps are resolved. They are not holes but the tension is different. Is this normal or am I doing something wrong? Thank you this is the best tutorial I have found.
Hi Hetchen,
Thanks for reaching out! It does sound like this may be normal – although it should be fairly unobtrusive, resolved wrapped stitches always look slightly looser or bulkier than the surrounding stitches. As long as they don’t stand out significantly from the rest of the fabric it should be fine, but you could try pulling tighter when working the wrap so there is less excess yarn in the wrapped stitch.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I am knitting a baby cardigan and shaping the upper arms with short rows. I understand what to do but the instructions say Next two rows knit to last 4 stitches wrap and turn, purl to last 4 stitches,
Next two rows. Knit to last 9 sets. wrap and turn, purl to last 9 wrap and turn, .
Next two rows knit to last 14 wrap and turn purl to last 14 knit and turn ,
Next two rows knit to last 20 wrap and turn, purl to last 20 wrap and turn , and so on . This means that I do not ever return to the wrapped stitches and I have a row of holes. What am I doing wrong I would appreciate your comments. Thank you very Much Jan
Hello Jan,
Thank you for reaching out- I hope I can help! It is a bit tricky to know exactly what is happening without seeing the pattern, but I would imagine that after completing your short rows you will knit a round in which you will come to each wrap and turn. When this happens you will pick up your wrap and knit it together with the stitch that it was wrapped around.
I hope this makes sense and let us know if you have any further questions!
Happy knitting,
Marilla
Help! I am knitting a cardigan and am at the stage of the pattern where I begin shaping the back neck and shoulders. The pattern states: “Do not bind off, but leave sts on needle. Short row 8 sets at each armhole edge once.” How do I short row on each end of the row? Do I short row at the end or beginning of the rows? Confusing. Thanks for your assistance.
Hi Lorrie,
Thanks for writing in! I have to admit that those instructions sound quite confusing to me too, and unfortunately I can’t offer any help on this one without seeing the whole pattern! I would suggest contacting the pattern author or publisher to see if they can help clarify this step.
Best,
Julianna
Hi!
I have no issue picking up the first set of wraps but the second set seem a wrapped too tight or even on the wrong side. I redid to see if I double wrapped and I didn’t…I am not sure what is wrong? The second set of wraps don’t look like the others…
Are you suppose to skip any stitches? Or maybe I am knitting too tight in the round?
Thanks soooo much
(I am about to frog a third time…)
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Thanks for writing in! I am sorry to hear that you are having difficulties. Can you let us know which pattern you are working on? Please do know that wrap and turns do look a little different on each side with the wraps picked up from the purl side. We did just put out a tutorial for German short rows, which are a bit more invisible. You do need to make a small modification when substituting German short rows for traditional wrap and turn short rwos but we note how to do so in the video.
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
I’ve been avoiding patterns that specify W&T short row shaping … until now. This is the best tutorial I’ve found for helping me gain confidence in my ability to successfully pick up wraps. Thank you!