DROPS Children 49 · Lots of new kid designs!

How to knit short rows (basic method)

In this DROPS video we show how you can knit short rows (basic method).

Sometimes a pattern may call for short rows to shape the garment. When knitting short rows you can make soft curves or create a better fit by creating bust darts. Short rows are only partially knitted before turning.

Work number of sts told in pattern, turn, lift the first stitch, tighten thread, work the row back. When knitting next row and passing the short row turn, make sure to tighten thread to avoid a hole.

You must read the pattern to be able to follow. You’ll find patterns where you can use this technique by clicking on the pictures below.

Patterns using this technique

DROPS 251-18

DROPS 251-18
DROPS 253-54

DROPS 253-54
DROPS 251-19

DROPS 251-19
DROPS 253-55

DROPS 253-55
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Video #66, listed in: Learn to knit, Knitting tips & tricks, Short Rows

Our videos do not have sound. We are a worldwide company and our videos are watched by people speaking endless of different languages and many do not understand English. So since there is not a given language for us to use, we instead have written instructions to accompany the video, and then there is no sound to disturb while watching.

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Country flag Anna wrote:

Una curiosità: non mi pare sia necessario utilizzare i ferri a doppia punta per questo tipo di lavoro, o mi sbaglio? Grazie, i vostri modelli sono spiegati benissimo!!!

11.11.2019 - 17:32

DROPS Design :

Buonasera Anna, i ferri a doppia punta non sono necessari per questa tecnica. Buon lavoro!

12.01.2020 - 21:09

Country flag Grethe Krabbe wrote:

Jeg er i tvivl om hvor mange gange jeg skal gentage de forkortede pinde. Er det indtil jeg har længden til ærmåbningen ? Vh. Grethe.

13.10.2019 - 19:50

Country flag Fryal wrote:

1 I have a problem when you said knit return row after turn you mean after turn I should knit all stitches until completing the row and after that I will knit the next number of stitches from the beginning of the next row then turn and complete the return row . or you mean I knit number of stitches then turn then knit next number of stitches like that sorry for my english I’m arabic girl

23.09.2019 - 03:17

DROPS Design :

Dear Fryal, depending on your pattern, you might have to work a different number of stitches on return row, but most of the time when you turn in the middle of the row, you then work return row over the stitches you just worked (= to the end of the row). Please ask your question under the pattern you are working on or ask the store where you bought the yarn for any individual assistance. Happy knitting!

23.09.2019 - 10:26

Country flag Fryal wrote:

1 I have a problem when you said knit return row after turn you mean after turn I should knit all stitches until completing the row and after that I will knit the next number of stitches from the beginning of the next row then turn and complete the return row . or you mean I knit number of stitches then turn then knit next number of stitches like that sorry for my english I’m arabic girl

23.09.2019 - 03:15

Country flag Aigli wrote:

Ok thanks!about the collar now please explain about the short rows.what means row 1and 2:“beg mid front-k10,turn and knit back?row 3and 4: k all sts, turn and knot back?do we still have 23 sts?thank you

12.01.2019 - 21:17

DROPS Design :

Dear Aigli, working this pattern you have still 23 sts on needle, but on row 1&2 you work only 10 sts: row1: work the first 10 sts, turn and work row back (= row 2), on row 3: work the 23 sts, turn and work row back (= row4). Happy knitting!

15.01.2019 - 10:00

Country flag Kim wrote:

I have left a couple of messages and haven't heard from you. Maybe you are off for the holidays. I had a question about shortening the sleeves to 20 inches. Kim

30.12.2018 - 20:27

DROPS Design :

Dear Kim, did you left your question under the pattern your are working on? You should then get any answer soon. Remember you can always contact your DROPS store for any individual assistance - even per mail, telephone or via the social medias. Happy knitting!

02.01.2019 - 12:29

Country flag Hélène wrote:

Franchement c'est une vidéo explicative !Même en mettant pause c'est beaucoup trop rapide ! N'importe quoi...

29.10.2018 - 20:58

DROPS Design :

Bonjour Hélène, si la vidéo est trop rapide pour vous, vous pouvez la consulter sur YouTube en diminuant la vitesse de lecture. Bon tricot!

30.10.2018 - 09:32

Country flag Curiousa wrote:

I am trying to leave a question, and even though it says I have characters left, it won’t send, and tells me my message is too long!

06.09.2018 - 01:59

DROPS Design :

Dear Curiosa, try again using 2 comments (dividing your questions in 2) if necessary.

06.09.2018 - 10:21

Country flag Emilie wrote:

Bonjour, Je suis sincèrement désolée de vous déranger. J'ai bien compris la raison pour laquelle les vidéos sont sans son et c'est tout à fait justifié. Vous indiquez qu'il y a des explications écrites mais malheureusement je ne les ai pas trouvées. Pouvez-vous m'indiquer comment je trouve les explications des différentes vidéos. En vous remerciant par avance. Cordialement

07.05.2018 - 15:50

DROPS Design :

Bonjour Émilie, cette vidéo sera à ajuster sur un modèle avec des rangs raccourcis (vous trouverez des exemples de modèles utilisant cette technique sous la vidéo) et montre seulement la technique: tricotez le nombre de mailles indiqué dans votre modèle, tournez, glissez la 1ère m et tricotez les mailles suivantes jusqu'à la fin du rang. Tournez et tricotez le rang suivant sur le nombre de mailles indiqué dans votre modèle. Bon tricot!

08.05.2018 - 09:13

Country flag Janie Lawson wrote:

I think I understand short rows except for their use in pattern 173-34. When the pattern says: Rows 1-2: work until 1st marker, turn and work back. Am I suppose to work row 1 completely to the end then turn on row 2? And working back means knitting knits and purling purls? Also, will I be starting a WS or a RS row? Thank You

19.11.2017 - 16:15

DROPS Design :

Dear Mrs Lawson, you work row 1 to marker, ie not all sts, then work return row (from WS = row 2) - work now 2 rows over all sts (rows 3 and 4), then work row 5 to 2nd marker (row 6= return row from WS) and so on. When turning at marker, work sts as they shoudl be worked, ie following the diagram. All diagrams will not be worked all at the same time because of short rows. Happy knitting!

20.11.2017 - 10:51

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