I know this is a popular knitting technique, but it honestly might be my Achilles heel for knitting. It took me four tries, and I’m still not confident that I have it down pat. Thankfully, there are a ton of detailed tutorials online, so I wanted to take this chance to highlight my favourites.

• Stitch markers
• Appropriate weight yarn
• Appropriate gauge needles (either DPN or circular)

Tutorial by Alexa at Tin Can Knits
YouTube Video by Purl Soho

The principle behind short rows is to add length to a specific portion of your knitting. So far, I’ve seen it pop up in the heels of sock knitting and in the backs of shirts or sweaters. For shirts and sweaters, short rows by the neckline helps to raise the back of the neck higher than the front, which gives your shoulders a bit more space. It’s these little details that help a garment fit better! I have seen the wrap and turn technique used a lot to achieve short rows, but I was excited to try the German short rows this time.

The benefit of the German short rows is that they are supposed to be more discrete than the wrap and turn method. However, I feel like a knowledgable knitter would still be able to spot the turns, while a casual viewer might not. As you may or may not be able to see in that picture, all of the doubled stitches are along the top, just under the neckline cuff. Having subtle short rows was extra crucial in this particular example since this pattern actually showcases the wrong side of stockinette knitting, and I think the pattern designer chose the perfect technique.

I cannot express to you how important stitch markers are when you are knitting a raglan sweater and trying to add short rows within the pattern. Seriously. Luckily, I had recently snagged a super cute set from K-Zip Knits at the Peace Fibre Fest, so I was ready. I can’t wait to show you this whole sweater next week because I love how it is shaping up already.

Until next time, happy crafting!