Short Rows

with Carol Feller 1 Instructions

Handout 1

Short rows are a very useful knitting tool. When you work a
short row, all you are doing is stopping before you get to the
end of the row and turning your work to the other side.

METHOD 1: WRAP & TURN (W&T) the left needle and work it together with
the stitch it wrapped.
On a knit row:
For purl stitches: Lift the wrap with right
Work to last stitch before wrap, slip next
needle from the right-side of the work and
stitch to right needle, pass yarn from back
place on the left needle. Work
to front, slip stitch back to left needle.
together with the stitch that was wrapped.

Turn to work purl row, passing yarn to front

My variation:
of work. When you work the next stitch,
take care to pull yarn snugly. I detach the wrap from the stitch and
place it behind the stitch to be worked so
On purl row: that it is completely hidden.

Work to last stitch before wrap, slip next

For knit stitches: Using right
stitch to right needle, pass yarn from front
needle, lift the wrap from the bottom at
to back, slip stitch back to left needle.
the front and with the stitch it wraps slip
both stitches onto right needle. Slip both
Turn to work knit row, passing yarn to back
stitches knit wise to left needle and lift
of work.
wrap over stitch it is wrapping. Knit wrap
and stitch together.
When you come to a wrapped stitch in
subsequent rows, use one of the following
For purl stitches: From front of work, with
methods:
right needle lift wrap from bottom to top
and sit on left needle. Lift wrap over first
Standard method:
stitch on left needle, purl stitch and wrap
For knit stitches: Lift the wrap with the right together.
needle from the front, lift it over the stitch (it
will be completely detached) place it on
Next
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 Short Rows
with Carol Feller 1 Instructions

Handout 1

METHOD 2: JAPANESE SHORT ROWS Slip next stitch purl-wise from left to right
needle. Pull pin to place yarn loop on left
On a knit row: needle and remove pin.

Knit to the turning point, turn work. Slip

Slip stitch from right to left needle.
stitch purl-wise and attach pin to working
yarn (will hang on wrong side of work).
Purl stitch together with loop.

On a purl row:
METHOD 3: YARN OVER SHORT ROW
Purl to turning point, turn work.
On a knit row:
Slip stitch purl-wise, attach pin to
Knit to turning point, turn work to purl side.
working yarn (will hang on wrong side of
Bring yarn to back of work, begin working
work)
purl row. As the yarn is brought to front of
work to work purl row you will create a yarn
When you come to pin in
over loop in front of the first stitch.
subsequent rows:
On purl row:
For knit stitches:
Purl to turning point, turn work to knit side.
Work to gap, pin is attached to loop
Bring yarn to front of work, begin working
behind right needle.
knit row. As the yarn is brought to back of
work to work knit row you will create a yarn
Pull pin to place yarn loop on left needle
over loop in front of the first stitch.
(and remove the pin).
When you come to a wrapped stitch in
Knit loop and next stitch together.
subsequent rows:

For purl stitches:

Purl to gap, pin will be attached to loop

under right needle.

Next
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 Short Rows
with Carol Feller 1 Instructions

Handout 1

For knit stitches: Work to double stitch, the SAMPLE SHORT ROW SWATCH
second stitch of this is the yarn over that
you will use to close the gap. Knit stitch, Each time you turn your work you will work
remount yarn over, knit two together. a short row. Use this swatch to work through
all 4 short row methods
For purl stitches: Work to double stitch, the in turn.
second stitch of this is the yarn over that
you will use to close the gap. Purl stitch, slip
1 stitch knit-wise, slip 1 stitch knit-wise. Move
these 2 stitches back to left-hand needle,
purl two together through back loop (this is
a slip slip purl).

End

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 Short Rows
with Carol Feller 1 Instructions

Handout 2

SHOULDER SHAPING

If you are working shoulders by using stair steps decreases to slope them, you can
replace these decreases with short rows instead. This creates a smooth finish and you
can use a three-needle bind off to finish.

LEGEND LEGEND
BO bind off (cast off) slip 2 stitches individually as if to knit,
CO cast on Ssp then purl those 2 stitches together
dec decrease through the back loops

k knit St stitch

k2tog knit 2 stitches together St st stockinette stitch (stocking stitch)

p purl W&t wrap & turn
RS right side(s) WS wrong side
slip 2 sts one at a time as though
Ssk
to knit, knit both together

Next
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 Short Rows
with Carol Feller 1 Instructions

Handout 2

Swatch Pattern Short Row 2 (WS): Purl to last 8 sts, w&t.

You may use the yarn and needle of your Short Row 3 (WS): Purl to last 12 sts, w&t.
choice. For the sample shown in the class
Knit to end of row.
I have used aran weight yarn with US size
8 / 5 mm needles. We will work a small Purl 1 more row, picking up all wraps as you
swatch of the armhole and back with short pass them.
row shoulder shaping. Then we will work
one half of a cardigan front that we will Front Swatch
attach together.
CO 22 sts. Work 4 rows in garter stitch. Work in
This armhole and shoulder will be used st st for 5 rows, ending with a RS row.
below to demonstrate our short row set in
BO Row (WS): BO 2, purl to end of row. 20 sts.
sleeve.
Dec Row (RS): Knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. 19 sts.
Back Swatch
Dec Row (WS): P1, p2tog, purl to end of row.
CO 34 sts. Work 4 rows in garter stitch. Work in
18 sts.
st st for 4 rows, ending with a WS row.
Work Dec Row RS only 2 more times. 16 sts.
BO Row (RS): BO 2 sts, work to end of row. 32
sts. Work even in st st for 19 more rows ending
with a WS row.
Next Row (WS): Purl.
Short Row Shoulder Shaping
Dec Row (RS): K1, ssk, knit to end of row. 31 sts.
Short Row 1 (RS): Knit to last 4 sts, w&t.
Dec Row (WS): Purl to last 3 sts, ssp, p1. 30 sts.
Next Row (WS & all WS): Purl.
Work Dec Row RS only 2 more times. 28 sts.
Short Row 2 (RS): Knit to last 8 sts, w&t.
Work even in st st for 19 more rows, ending
with a WS row. Short Row 3 (RS): Knit to last 12 sts, w&t.

Short Rows Shoulder Shaping Purl to end of row.

Next Row (RS & all RS): Knit. Knit 1 more row picking up all wraps as you
pass them. Work 1 more WS row
Short Row 1 (WS): Purl to last 4 sts, w&t.

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 Short Rows
with Carol Feller 1 Instructions

Handout 2

SLEEVE CAPS

Set-in sleeves can be worked from the Now you continue to work to wrapped st,
top down using short rows. Pick up sleeve work st, then wrap next stitch, working back
stitches (number needed for top of sleeve) and forth on each side.
around armhole starting at center of
bottom of armhole. Stop working short rows when underarm
stitches are reached.
Mark top 1/3 of stitches. Work to end of top
third (2/3 of total stitches), w&t.

Work top 1/3 stitches, w&t.

Next
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 Short Rows
with Carol Feller 1 Instructions

Handout 2

Set In Sleeve Swatch

We will pick up 30 stitches evenly around

the armhole from the previous swatch.

Work short row shoulder shaping as shown

in the diagram. You can see that there
will be 10 central stitches at the top of the
shoulder with short rows worked on either
side.

End

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 Short Rows
with Carol Feller 1 Instructions

Handout 3

For anyone larger than a B cup you may find that the front of your jumpers/
cardigans seems shorter. Extra length can be added at the chest by using short rows.

Measure the difference in length between your side and front and add the extra
length with short rows.

Begin your short rows a little in from the side and stop just outside your nipple (approx
1/2.5cm out each side). The number of stitches in each row will depend on the
number of rows and on your gauge.

Gauge
Stitches per 1 Inch ______
Rows per 1 Inch ______

Next
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 Short Rows
with Carol Feller 1 Instructions

Handout 3

Number of Short Rows needed:

A. Length from shoulder to waist at side seam = _________ Inches.

B. Length from shoulder to waist over bust = _________ Inches.
C. B-A = _________ Inches
D. C x Rows per Inch = ________ Rows.
Note that every time we work a short row it takes up two rows, forwards and back.
E. D/2 = _________ turns each side.
This is the number of turns we have at each side of our bust.

Number of Stitches each side for Short Rows:

F. Side seam to side seam = _________ Inches.

G. Nipple to nipple = _________ Inches.
Note that we start the short rows at least 1 inch outside this point on each side.
H. [F-G-1-1]/2 = _________ Inches each side of body to work short rows.
I. H x Stitches per Inch = _________ stitches.
This is the number of stitches we have each side to work our short rows.
J. I /E = _________ stitches between each turn.
So we will work E short rows on each side every J stitches.

Note that if your numbers comes out uneven, you can vary the rate that the short rows that
are worked at as well as adding extra stitches at the side seam or each side of the nipple to
ensure it comes out even.

Also note that the short rows do not begin exactly at the side seam, they begin at least J
stitches inside the side seam plus any extra stitches needed to create an even stitch count for
your short rows.

End

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 Short Rows
with Carol Feller 1 Instructions

Credits & Acknowledgments

Instructor Carol Feller

Producer Rachel Link
Video Editor Adam Speas
Switcher Adam Speas
Hair and Makeup Artist Danica Jardin
Motion Graphics Artist JonPaul Riggle
Trailer Editor Ari Feldman
Copy Editor J.C. OConnell
Graphic Designer Lisa Ly, Nicole Askari
Editorial Content Manager Lisa Greim
Educational Pre-Producer Stefanie Japel
Post-Production Supervisor Craig Ormiston
VP, Lifestyle Content Emily Lawrence

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