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
.
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!
Bonus: How To Pick Up A Purl Wrap On The Knit Side
NOTE: See this particular situation in action at minute 4:33 of the video tutorial , above.
When working in the round, you may encounter a stitch that was wrapped on the purl (or wrong) side and needs to be picked up on the knit (or right) side. Here’s how to pick up a purl wrap on the knit side…
Work up to the wrapped stitch.
Use the tip of the right needle to pick up the wrap, inserting the needle from front to back. Place the wrap onto the left needle. Note: If necessary, nudge the wrap so it is after the next stitch on the needle.
Next, slip the first sitch knitwise, then slip the wrap purlwise. Insert the tip of the left needle into the front legs of those two slipped stitches. Wrap your working yarn around the right needle to knit the two together.
The wrap will fall to the wrong side of your fabric… Nice!
PRINT
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 just purchase your Faceted Yoke Pullover pattern and am having a difficult time with the instructions. It almost seems as if part is missing. I understand the short rows:wrp-t part but the shape yoke section seems incomplete. How do I work the short rows all the way around the neckband?
Hi Barbara,
Thanks for reaching out! The short rows to shape the back neck do not go all the way around the neckline. There are six short rows total in the short row portion of the yoke, and they are all worked over that first 54 stitches, leaving the rest of the cast on stitches unworked. This serves to raise the back of the neckline for a more comfortable fit. Once you are done with the six short rows, you will then knit a round over all the stitches on the needle and proceed with the rest of the yoke instructions.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
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!
I’m working on the simple yoke cardigan and am confused with the short rows. When I wrap and the turn,do I then move the yarn back to start knitting , it seems like it is just undoing the last instructions to “bring yarn back”
Thank you
Hello Eileen,
This is a great question! Before you bring your yarn back you put the stitch that you just wrapped back on your right needle without knitting it. This means that you have a stitch with your working yarn wrapped around it before turning your work and start knitting again.
I hope this helps to clear things up and let us know if you have any further questions!
-Marilla
I have watch your video and looked at the visual pictures,, but I was wondering how to pick up wraps in the round ,, the project I am working on is shaping in the neckline ,,, but every time I finish the short rows and than continue knitting ,picking up the wraps , the wraps I did on the knit side are fine ,,, but when I pick up the wraps I did on the purl side ,,, when knitting in the round ,,, they do not come out as nice
Hello Kim,
Thank you for reaching out! Picking up the wraps completed on the purl side is always tricky. You are not alone in finding this difficult! 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. 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 rows but we note how to do so in the video.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I’m making the layette and can not understand the buttonhole instructions. Is there is video tutorial?
Hi Annette,
Thanks for writing in! Unfortunately we do not have a video tutorial for this button hole but I will certainly pass your request along to the design team! Is there a particular step I can help out with?
Best,
Julianna
I am knitting the Half & Half Triangle Wrap. Beginning with the second half, Color B, I knit all 260 stitches for Row 1. Then knit all 260 for row 2. For row 3: K1 and do a wrp-t. Row 4: K1 Row 5: K1, K the wrap, then do a wrp-t Row 6: knit the whole row Row 7: knit to marker, remove marker, knit the next stitch, place marker, do a wrap-t So are you just doing the same basic thing you did with the Color A? Rows 3, 4 and 5 seem very confusing. Thanks.
Hi Jonieta,
Thanks for reaching out! Yes, you are creating the second triangle in a very similar fashion to the first one; however, for the first triangle, the wrap & turns moved across the row from left to right so you were always working one less stitch before the wrap & turn. For the second triangle, the wrap & turns move across the row from right to left and you always be working one more stitch than you did on the previous row before working the next wrap & turn.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
in a wrap and turn pattern, the instructions say to repeat the w&t rows “turning 2 sts past the last w&t every time” Does this mean that my turns on the knit row should occur 2 sts past the last time I turned on the knit row? I’m thinking it must b/c I should not encounter a purl w&t while working on the knit row, right? I’m looking ahead in my instructions and just trying to make sure I understand them correctly. Thank you – your site is the bomb.
Hi and thanks for reaching out! It’s hard to say for sure without seeing your pattern, but it sounds like you should be knitting to your wrap and turn from the previous row, knitting the wrapped stitch together with the wrap, then knitting two more stitches before working another wrap and turn. If there are also wrap and turns on the purl rows you will be working wrap and turns there as well, but if you are purling to the end of the row each time, then they will only be on the knit rows.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I am working on the cap sleeve pullover (I knit slowly – it will be finished and put aside for next summer!). I’m shaping the shoulders with the wrap and turn. Since this garment is meant to be worn with the purl side facing out, how do I hide the wraps when I pick them up? Is it that I purl the wrap together with the purl?
Hello Susan,
Thank you for reaching out! When picking your wraps up on the purl side you purl your wrap with your purl, but if you are picking up on the knit side you knit your wrap with your knit.
I hope this helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hello. I just wanted to thank you for having the w&t video! It is by far the best w&t video I have seen! I’ve been knitting for years, but no expert on short rows w&t and this video saved me from frogging a top down sweater yet again lol. Have a wonderful day, and thank you again!
Hi-I’m attempting to knit the Bandana Cowl and I’m unclear at R5, where it asks K42, wrap and turn. Do I purl back (42 stitched) to the marker? Somehow, I ended up with a gap at the point of the bandana and only half the cowl with extra rows, lol. Thanks.
Hello Joane,
Thank you for reaching out! After Row 5 (K42, wrap and turn.) you continue onto Row 6 (P3, wrap and turn.). This means that instead of purling back to your marker you purl 3 stitches and the wrap and turn.
I hope this clears things up for you and happy knitting!
-Marilla
I just wanted to say Thank You! This is the clearest, most concise tutorial I’ve found. So much so that I didn’t even need the video. Kudos!
Hello!
I have a question regarding short rows in the Faceted Yoke Pullover. I have bought the pattern, but I have a problem working them out in this twisted rib pattern. Could please clarify the technique in this pattern, please? How do I work the stitches when I turn my work?When I knit the stitch with a wrap, do I also twist it? Thank you in advance! Daga
Hi Daga,
Thanks for reaching out! This step can indeed be tricky! When you are working the wrap and turns, you will slip the stitch for the wrap and turn purlwise so it isn’t twisted, just as you normally would. When you resolve the wrap and turns later, you will knit or purl in the back loop while working the wrapped stitches together with their wraps, following the instructions in the Note located to the left of this section in the printed pattern.
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
Hi.
Great instructions which I can follow easily.
Slight problem so sure I must be missing something
I’m knitting a small headdress for the nativity. (Little knitted people).
It’s getting bigger on one side!
Pattern is k74. K 2 rows
Then row 3 k40 W&T
Row 4 k6 w&t Row 5 K7 W&t Row 6 k8 W&t. row 7 k9 W&t
Row 8 k10. Row 9 k
Then k21 rows.
Help please or am I being totally dense???
Thank you x
Hello Donna,
Thanks for reaching out! It is hard to say exactly without being familiar with the pattern, but I will try! From this it sounds like it should be getting larger in the middle. If you have 74 stitches and then for your first wrap and turn you knit 40 stitches you will have 40 stitches on one side and 34 on the other before your first wrap and turn. If you then knit 6 stitches, wrap and turn, you will be expanding out from the center. The first thing I would do is triple check your stitch count (I know it sounds obvious, but it is so often the issue for me when I’m lost in a pattern). Which side is it only getting larger on? How far to the side is it getting larger?
I hope I can helps and happy knitting!
-Marilla
Hello!
Thank you so much for this tutorial. I am having difficulty with a pattern. Following the short rows which I do no problem thanks to your instruction, the pattern reads as follows:
1. pick up wrap stitches as k2tog (easy, done!)
then it goes on
2. k to 1st stitch before M, picking up the wrap sts as ssk….(WHAT is the difference here? don’t knit them together but just slip to right hand needle? doesn’t this ADD a stitch?
Thank you if you can assist!!
Lori Horton
Hello Lori,
Thanks for reaching out. I’m happy to hear how much this tutorial has helped you! Ssk stands for slip, slip, knit and is a left slanting decrease.
Happy knitting!
-Marilla
I need help with the w&t on the Pivot Cowl
Hi and thanks for reaching out! For the Pivot Cowl, you will use the wrap and turn method shown in the video above. Is there a particular step I can try to clarify for you?
Best,
Julianna
Thank you so much for explaining short rows and the wrap and turn. I never knew you’re supposed to pick up the wrap and consequently have been frustrated by having holes in my work but couldn’t work out what the problem was. Your video was very clear and has inspired me to approach short rows more confidently in the future. I’ve book marked this page for future reference!
My slipper pattern just says turn. Does that mean w&t?
Hi Deb,
Thanks for reaching out! It’s hard to say without seeing your pattern, but it is possible that the pattern means for you to turn without working a wrap + turn. In some slipper and sock patterns, the short rows are done without a wrap + turn and the resulting hole is closed up on the next row with a decrease. If there aren’t any notes at the beginning of the pattern or row saying to use a wrap + turn on each short row, then you likely don’t need to!
Best,
Julianna
I am having a hard time understanding the shoulder shaping for the top down circular yoke pattern. I feel like I am only shaping one shoulder. Should I have a marker at the start and mid way through the row?
Hi Rosalie,
Thanks for reaching out! During the short rows for the Top Down Circular Yoke Pullover, you will only have one marker placed for the beginning of the round, and your short rows should go almost all the way around the neckband, though they will seem slightly off center compared to the marker. For instance, if you are knitting the smallest size, your first short row will go all the way from the beginning of round marker to 15 stitches before the end of the round, and the second short row will go all the way back around to one stitch before the beginning of the round.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I am knitting your ‘Lightweight Raglan Pullover’. I have watched your video about wrap and turn. When I got to the last short row (29) I had over 100 stitches to the wrap-t. I am making the size which corresponds with the first number within the parentheses (84). Can you help me figure out what I am doing wrong? Thank you.
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for reaching out! On your final short row, it is correct to knit over 100 stitches before getting to the first wrap and turn – in fact, you should knit nearly half of your body stitches on Short Row 29, so that you are eat the half way point of the 252 stitches on the needle when you knit 84 stitches to set up for the next set of short rows. It sounds like you are on the right track!
I hope that helps, and happy knitting!
Julianna
I knit continental style. do you have a video for wrap and turn continental style?
Hi Heidi,
Thanks for reaching out! We do not have a video for wrap and turns while knitting continental, but it should be just about the same! Rather than wrapping the working yarn with your right hand, you will simply move it from the back of the work to front and vice versa with your left hand so that it is in the proper location when slipping the wrapped stitch.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
Hello Purl Rescue Team,
I am knitting your Contour Tee. Your video is wonderful and clear but is done for shaping in the center of the work. The Contour Tee wrap and turn is on the shoulder.
For “Shape Left Front Shoulder” purl row wrp-t and so forth to the 7th row ” Purl to the end of the row purling wrapped stitches with their wraps” There are 3 wrapped stitches in the odd rows. Are these purled together in the 7th row or in the even knit rows? And the reverse for the opposite shoulder shaping. Thanks so much for your help.
Hi Carol,
Thanks for reaching out! When knitting the shoulders of this top, each short row has you turn before resolving the previous wrap and turn, so after completing all the repeats of rows 2 and 3, you will have multiple unresolved wrapped stitches on the needle. In the final row of the shoulder, you will purl all the way across the row, knitting each wrapped stitch together with its wrap. The other shoulder will work out in the same manner!
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
How to do this?please help. Thank you..Row 2 (begin short row shaping): sl 1 knitwise, P to last 3 sts, wrap and turn.
Hi Rhoda,
Thanks for reaching out! When you come to the instruction to “wrap and turn,” you can do so by following the instructions in our video above!
Best,
Julianna
I am doing wrap and turns on the purl side but when I turn to the Knit side the next stitch called for in the pattern is a purl. Not quite sure how to accomplish this.
Your tutorials are the best out there. Hope you can help my dilemma!
Hi Valerie,
Thanks for reaching out! I am happy to help! Here after you slip the stitch from the right needle back to the left needle, you will leave the yarn at the back of the work instead of bringing the yarn to the front of the work as if to purl. Now when you turn the work, the yarn will be on the front side and prepared for you to purl the first stitch!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
What a marvellous provision, thank you very much.
Jean (UK)
Hi!
I hope you’re staying safe over there! I’m spending my self-confinement knitting all I can and am currently doing a little baby boot, bottom up, flat, which after is sewn together at the back.
I’ve come to a point at which I’m supposed to reduce by knitting three separate sections of short rows, one in the middle and two sides. The pattern says:
“Row 17 : Here start a short rows section. P21, P2tog, P1. Turn.
*Row 18 : K7, SSK, K1. Turn.
Row 19 : P7, P2tog, P1. Turn*
Repeat from * to * 6 more times, until you have 24 stitches on your needles (8 stitches on each side of the bootie, and 8 on the middle part). You should end on a knit row. Knit until end of last row.”
But I don’t know how I’m supposed to access the side sections after I’ve done rows 18 and 19 in the middle, which is where the end of row 17 takes me. So basically now I’m only reducing the middle and I don’t know how to do the same thing for the other two sections, since I can’t access them. I suspect it’s really simple but I can’t see it. I hope I explained it okay. Thank you in advance!
Arrate
Hi Arrate,
Thanks for reaching out! I would have to see your pattern to tell you for sure, but usually in booties that are shaped like this, as you work the short rows, the decreases will join the center section to each side section. This way, you won’t end up with a loose “flap” of knitting in the middle of your work, and will eventually start knitting across all the stitches. If you are ending up with a flap, it’s possible that you have the wrong number of stitches or have otherwise somehow gotten off in your work, or you may have to read ahead to see if you will be eventually picking up stitches to get everything back on the needle in one piece.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
I’m doing your Friend Forest hood.
I’m up to the wrap and turn part. I’ve looked at your video and since I’m 80 years old I can’t comprehend it. Is there any other way to do short rows that doesn’t demand so many moves. I am so disappointed in me but can’t get the hang of it
Waiting to hear from you. I’m the old lady who did this on straight needles.
Thank you in advance
Sandie
Hi Sondra,
Thanks for reaching out! I am sorry to hear that short rows are not going well for you. I am also sorry to say that Friends of Forest Hood is not a pattern of ours. I did a quick search, found the pattern and see that the designer linked to this tutorial to help with the short rows. Short rows can be a bit tricky to work at first but we find with a little practice, they become easier to achieve. Please do not be discouraged by short rows. While there are other types of short rows, they all involve the same basic steps of working a partial row, working some sort of turn and turning the work and working back in the opposite direction! While I know that it may sound silly, I like to say the steps to myself out loud as I go through tricky techniques. I find that this helps me work through trickier techniques much more easily!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
If I’m switching from ribbing to stockinette stitch when starting with wrap and turns, do I do the wrap and turns as if to knit on that first row? Some are purl stitches but I’m switching to stockinette. Thank you!
Hi Mari,
Thanks for reaching out! It’s hard to say without seeing your pattern, but I would assume that yes, you should work the wrap and turns as knits, even if they are over purls. They will become part of the body of the sweater instead of the ribbing.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I have seen wrap and turns done where you move the yarn first, then slip the stitch, move the yarn again then slip the stitch back. You slip the stitch first, move yarn slip again, then move the yarn. Is there any difference in how this comes out and does it really make a difference which one you do first. Only different I can tell is by moving the yarn first and 3rd then the trailing yarn gets “trapped” in between the last knit stitch and the wrapped stitch which would make the yarn stretch across the stitch once you turn to purl. Please clarify. Thank you.
Hi Cindy,
Thanks for reaching out! As long as your working yarn ends up wrapped around the stitch, it doesn’t matter too much how exactly you work the wrap and turn. Moving the yarn first and third results in a very slight excess of yarn in the wrap, which may show up as a bulky or loose spot after working the wrap together with the stitch; however, in most finished items, it’s hard to tell the difference! I would recommend choosing one method and sticking with it so all your wrap and turns look consistent.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna
I’m really bad at knitting, and stupid. So I need to see someone else do everything before I understand how to do it. Would you ever consider making a video for the “Friends of the Forest” hood? Even if the video was for purchase, I would buy it so I could follow along.
Thanks,
Tara
Hi Tara,
Thanks for reaching out! I am sorry to hear that short rows are not going well for you. I am also sorry to say that Friends of Forest Hood is not a pattern of ours. I did a quick search, found the pattern and see that the designer linked to this tutorial to help with the short rows. Short rows can be a bit tricky to work at first but we find with a little practice, they become easier to achieve. Please do not be discouraged by short rows. While there are other types of short rows, they all involve the same basic steps of working a partial row, working some sort of turn and turning the work and working back in the opposite direction! While I know that it may sound silly, I like to say the steps to myself out loud as I go through tricky techniques. I find that this helps me work through trickier techniques much more easily!
I hope that this helps!
Cassy
Hi! I just started the top-down circular yoke pullover and am about to start the yoke section with short rows. I think I understand the short rows instructions and wrap-turn technique as explained in the pattern. My question concerns the rows after the short rows. The pattern says “knit to the end of the round working wrapped stitches with their wraps”. Does this mean knit each stitch and wrap separately? Or follow the directions on the website tutorial under “picking up the wrapped stitch”?
Thank you!
Hi Johana,
Thanks for writing in! This means that you will follow the instructions for picking up the wrapped stitch so that each wrapped stitch and wrap gets knitted together as one stitch.
Happy knitting!
Julianna
I am knitting your Classic Jacket Sweater and am stuck on the very first short row. I watched the video, but what I don’t understand is the sm twice. Ex: Short Row 1 (right side): [Knit to marker, sm (slip marker)] twice, k3 (3, 4, 4, 4, 4), wrp/t. Does that mean to move the marker two more stitches over to the 12th stitch instead of the 10th that I set up in the first row? And do I slip those two stitches or knit them? Then I knit 3 stitches and wrap turn?
Hi Emma,
Thanks for reaching out! SM stands for Slip Marker, and means that you will simply move the marker from the left hand needle to the right hand needle when you come to it, so that it stays between the same two stitches. At this point, you should have two markers on your needle, so for this row, you will knit to the first marker, slip it, then repeat the bracketed instructions by knitting to the next marker and slipping it as well. You will then knit 3 stitches and work a wrap & turn as shown above.
I hope that clears things up!
Julianna