There are several ways to do short rows and I’ve probably tried most of them—wrap and turn, Japanese, yarn over, make 1—and the one that I prefer has changed over the years. For the past several though, I’ve been a wrap and turn girl. Why? It just seems to be the simplest method for me and never produces a hole.
If you have a different preferred method by all means continue using it! If it looks good and it works for you then that’s all you need.
Wrap & Turn on a knit row
If your pattern says “knit 10, w&t” you would knit 10 sts and then perform the w&t on the 11th stitch as follows:
You’ve now wrapped your stitch (in our example it is stitch number 11) and the working yarn is in the correct place for you to begin working the next row.
Wrap & Turn on a purl row
If your pattern says “purl 10, w&t” you would purl 10 sts and then perform the w&t on the 11th stitch as follows:
You’ve now wrapped your stitch (in our example it is stitch number 11) and the working yarn is in the correct place for you to begin knitting the next row.
IMPORTANT: You DO NOT pick up wraps if you’re working in garter stitch.
Picking up a wrap on a knit row
Picking up a wrap on a purl row
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I am making Pendulum shawlette on Ravelery. The pattern asks you to wrap and turn but nowhere in the pattern does it say to go back, pick up my wraps and knit them. It is knit in garter. Should I assume that I do pick up and knit the wraps?
Thank you!
You don’t pick up wraps in garter. Working the wrap itself is all that’s needed. If you picked up the wrap, you’d have 2 strands showing in the purl and it would be more visible.
hi i am doing a pattern it says cast on 14 stitches ,next row knit 10 w&t ,then next row knit what do i do with the other 4 stitches any ideas please
On the first row you don’t do anything with them. You turn before that. For the next row you’ll have them already on your right needle so you don’t work them either.
I’m not sure what pattern you’re making so I can’t explain why you’re doing it. Typically you’ll work more than one shirt row though to build up some angle to it.
I am working on the shawl pattern Clarendon by Jen Lucas. This is my first attempt at short rows. The pattern only says turn your work, doesn’t say when to pick up wraps but has a stitch count (369 sts) after some rows. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
I looked at the pattern and it looks like it’s stockinette? Assuming so, you’ll want to pick up the wraps when you come to them. I’m wondering if she says to do that maybe in a note at the top? Since I’m unfamiliar with the pattern I’m only guessing – but if you don’t pick them up you’d see where they are.
You can also try messaging Jen on ravelry or posting a message to her group https://www.ravelry.com/groups/jen-lucas-designs
Good luck!
Thank you for the quick reply, I will contact Jen on Ravelry.
You likely *should* pick them up. You don’t in garter but you do in stockinette
Okay, thanks! I assumed it was just as oversight by whoever wrote the pattern, so I will pick up the wraps and hopefully it works 🙂
what pattern is it?
I’m currently working on a project that you purl 50, turn, then knit 35 and turn again. When exactly should I pick up the wrapped stitches? After every row or just on one side of the work?
The pattern should tell you when to pick them up, but in general you’ll pick them up when working the stitch that includes the short row. So, you never knit the wrap without picking it up first.
Does that answer your question?
Yes that makes sense. The pattern doesn’t say to pick them up at any point though… Anyways, thanks you!
Hi – How do i pick up a wrapped purl stitch on the knit side, like when working in a round?
Just follow the steps under the Purl Row instructions for picking up and purling that stitch (steps 2 and 3), but knit or purl up to it like your pattern says.
Does that help?
HI! I was actually looking for the same answer to this question but I’m still a little confused. I finished all my short rows, and then I’m supposed to continue my rounds in with knit stitches while picking up the final 2 wrapped stitches. The knit one is easy, but when I get to the one that I was working in purl on the wrong side, I can’t figure out how to pick it up because it’s basically going in the wrong direction. Appreciate any help!
Understood!
You can still pick it up (it’ll just be wrapped in the other direction). The important thing is that the wrap gets hidden behind the stitch.
Even though the wrap is on the left side of the stitch and I’m coming from the right side? How do I do that?
You can still put your needle under the wrap and then into the actual stitch.
Hello, I’m trying to knit a hat called Kiddie Cadet by Kathryn Ivy. While working the brim it says to wrap and turn on the next to the last stitch on each row which also produces a decrease. I can’t figure out how to do that. All the wrap and turn videos I have seen are worked somewhere in the middle of the row.
Also, do you always pick up the wrapped stitches at some point?
Just work it right where it says. Sounds like it’s to make the curve of the brim (and it will do that).
Occasionally you don’t pick up the wraps – most notably in garter stitch but there are other reasons too.
If a pattern simply says to turn your work so I decide what kind of short rows to do?
most likely – yes. it can also have you just turn your work.
what pattern are you using?
in my pattern it uses Basketweave pattern mainly. i started the back and on row 4 and so on it says work as established to 4 sts past the second marker, wrap and turn. my 2 problems are that should i wrap the 4 stitch past the second marker or the next one. after i done the wrap and turn on the same row should keep doing the basketweave pattern?? it doesn’t say 🙁
here is the pattern link:
https://www.abc-knitting-patterns.com/1318.html
Thanks for the link!
It says “Row 4: work as established to 4 sts past the second marker, wrap and turn.”
This means work 4 sts after the marker, then wrap. So you’ll be wrapping the 5th st. Work as established means to continue the basketweave.
Does that help?
thanks for your help!!
i hope i’m not bothering u with another question but there is something i’m confused about on the pattern for example on row 4 after the wrap & turn do i start with row 5 or continue as basketweave pattern says to knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts on row 4? do i make myself clear?
No problem! When you’re on Row 4 you’ll follow Row 4’s instructions for that whole row. So, you’ll knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts.
Does that make sense?
Question: Once you turned do you start working the next row in the pattern? Or do I complete the row & start the next row before I start row 2?
Hi Sonia! The next row should be started right there – right after you turn.
If you’re working a design that asks you to work for X inches, the short rows length WILL NOT be included.
Does that help?