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Short rows - basic

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

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

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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 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

Country flag Kasaundra Chaney wrote:

Are there more specific instructions for working the short rows in the collar for the Anna 135-25 pattern?

27.10.2017 - 05:36

DROPS Design :

Dear Mrs Chaney, this video is showing how the short rows in the collar are worked in this pattern - just remember to continue working pattern over the sts as before. Happy knitting!

27.10.2017 - 10:18

Debra Watkiss wrote:

Just love your site well done.. Has taught me better ways to knit from someone who has knitted for years.. Learning to knit from the top down as we knit our garment in pieces then join from the bottom up .love the new way i am learning so thanks . Kind regards Debra Sydney Australia

21.10.2016 - 02:44

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