How to: Short Rows

     Short rows are often used for shaping the heels of socks and the busts of sweaters. It's very helpful to know how to make it and, once you get the hang of it, is pretty fun! However, short rows are probably one of the most feared aspects of knitting. I'm fairly certain that this is because of the term "wrap and turn" (abbreviated w&t). What does that even mean? Well, I'll show you.

Instructions:

     Cast on any number of stitches, preferably one divisible by two. I did twelve. Work in the desired pattern until you have reached the row you wish to make short rows on (for simplicity's sake, I'm going to stick with Stockinette).

     Knit the amount of stitches called for in your pattern. For me, this is ten stitches.

     Now comes the wrap and turn (w&t). Move your yarn from the back of your work to the front.

     Slip the next stitch off of your left-hand needle and onto your right-hand needle.

     Move your yarn to the back of your work.

     Turn your work so that the wrong side is facing you.

     Slip the stitch from on your left-hand needle to your right-hand needle.

     If you are going to knit the next few stitches, simply move your yarn to the back of your work and LOOSELY knit the next stitch. Knit each stitch after that the way you normally would.

     If you, like me, are going to purl the next few stitches, purl the first stitch LOOSELY (see below) and then purl the next stitches as you normally would.

     If you're making my swatch, purl eight. If not, ignore me. :)     

     Here comes the wrap and turn on the purl side! Move your yarn to the back of the work.

     Slip the next stitch from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle.

     Move the yarn from the back of the work to the front and slip the stitch back onto the left-hand needle.

     Turn the work.

     Now, I'm going to show you how to pick up the wrapped stitches you have made.

How to Pick Up Stitches: RS

     Knit up to the wrapped stitch.

     Slip the stitch from your left-hand needle onto your right-hand needle.

     Pick up the wrap with your left-hand needle, and place it onto your right-hand needle.

     Slip both the wrap and the stitch back onto your left-hand needle and knit them together.

     Knit to the end of the row.

How to Pick Up Stitches: WS

     Purl up to the wrapped stitch.

     This next part is best explained by picture on the right side of the work. Do you see that wrap around the stitch?

     You are going to pick that up with your right-hand needle.

     And then you can slip the stitch onto your right-hand needle.

     Slip both the wrap and the stitch back onto the left-hand needle.

     Purl the wrap and the stitch together, and purl to the end of the row.

     Your swatch should now look slightly curved. If you keep doing more short rows, the curve will become more pronounced.

     If you would like some help with this technique, here is a video on how to wrap and turn and here is one on how to pick up wraps.