How to Knit Short Rows or Wrap and Turns

Short rows are used to shape or curve your knitting.  The end result is that one side, or section, has more rows than another section.  Short rows are often written in a pattern as “wrap and turn”.  Wrap and turn means that you wrap the stitch with the working yarn, turn your work and knit in the opposite direction.  This allows you to turn your knitting in the middle of a row.  There is another way to do short rows and that is (what is called) German Short Rows, or Double Stitches. Short rows are most commonly used for:

• Sock heels
• Shoulder shaping
• Darts
• Backs of necks
• Circular yokes
• Scarves and shawls
• Set-in sleeves
• Collar shaping

I will demonstrate how to knit a short row with a wrap and turn

Step 1: The pattern will usually say something like “knit to 5 stitches before the end of the row and W&T”.  This means that you knit until there are 5 stitches left on your left needle.

Step 2: Slip the next stitch purlwise

Step 3: Bring the working yarn between the needles to the front of your work

Step 4: Slip the stitch back to the left-hand needle

Step 5: Return the working yarn to the back of the work by bringing it between the needles

Step 6: Turn your work and purl to 5 stitches from the end of the row

Step 7: Slip the next stitch purlwise

Step 8: Bring the working yarn between the needles to the back of your work

Step 9: Slip the stitch back to the left-hand needle

Step 10: Return the working yarn to the front of the work by bringing it between the needles.

This demonstrates a wrap and turn.

I will demonstrate how to pick up the wraps

After you have done all of the short rows your pattern will tell you to “knit across, picking up the wraps.”  On a row with wrapped stitches you will perform the following steps. 

Step 1: Knit to just before the wrapped stitch.

Step 2: Insert the right needle under the front leg of the wrap, knit-wise, into the wrapped stitch and place it on the left needle

Step 3: Knit both stitches together through the back loop

Step 4: Repeat to the end of the row

Step 5: Turn your work and purl to the first wrapped stitch

Step 6: Insert the right needle from behind into the back loop of the wrap from left to right and place it on the left needle

Step 7: Purl the wrap and the stitch together as you would normally purl

Step 8: Repeat to the end of the row

This demonstrates how to pick up short rows using the wrap and turn method. You can see that by turning the work before the end of the row, we have created extra fabric in the middle.

I use a trick of placing stitch markers immediately before each wrap and turn so I don’t forget about them. The wrap and turn can also be hard to see so the markers help keep track of where they are. This way when I knit or purl back I don’t forget to pick up any wraps.

I encourage you to try the wrap and turn method that I have demonstrated here, or the German Short Row method.  Knowing this technique will enable you to knit patterns that are more difficult.  Everytime you knit something it is a learning experience.  Take the time to learn a new skill with each project, and pretty soon you will have the ability to knit at even the advanced level. This is the beauty of knitting and part of why I enjoy it so much; I learn new things all the time.  Knitting is one of the best things you can do for your brain to keep it sharp.  

Next time you see a pattern that has something in it that you don’t know how to do, don’t set it aside, try to knit it anyway.  Find a friend, a book or a blog to help you.  There are so many resources available.  Tell me what new technique you are learning at the moment in the comments below.  I love to hear from you.

Knit with Love my Friend,