Knitting Topics - Short Rows

(Originally posted Saturday, September 19, 2009)

Short rows make knitting sexy!

Short rows are rows in which the knitter works part of the stitches on the row, but then turns the work to the other side and goes back in the other direction. Incorporating multiple short rows into your work creates a curve, bend, or fan in the overall fabric shape.

Short rows are often used for the shaping the heel of a sock.

Short rows would also be suited to creating gussets on a skirt bottom edge if the skirt is knitted horizontally (i.e., from left hip all the around front, right hip, and then the back).

Short rows combined with striped colorwork can give the effect of ripples (as with a pebble dropped in water). I used this idea to create my Bathing Beauty Cloche.

I am resolved to use short rows more often in my knitting.