Coming Up Short: 5 Great Short-Row Patterns

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A few weeks ago, I hopped on a video call with one of my knitting friends to review a pattern for a sweater she wanted to make. The sweater was worked in the round from the top down, and while my friend is a really competent knitter, she kept being tripped up once she passed the neckline ribbing by a new technique. Namely, the pattern called for German short-rows to shape the back of the neck.

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Above left to right: Alongside Slouch by Stefanie Bold and Spoked Cardigan by Carol Feller

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Short-rows are one of those techniques that a knitter is bound to run across eventually. They are, essentially, partial rows of knitting; you knit some (but not all) of the stitches on a row, creating more fabric in specific places. They can be used to shape shoulders, necks, and bust darts, or to turn corners and create curves. There are a lot of different methods of knitting short-rows, five of which Jennifer Dassau covers in her online workshop.

Short-Row Patterns We Love

Are you, like my friend, looking to add short-rows to your knitting repertoire? Here are five great short-row patterns to try.

Merging Ripples Shawl

The hypnotic Merging Ripples Shawl by designer Kyoko Nakayoshi uses short-rows to great effect. The pattern is worked from the bottom up using short-rows and decreases to create the shawl’s curving shape and interlocking stripes. Use high contrast colors for a statement piece or select shades of the same color for a more subtle effect.

Linum Tee

A wonderful addition to your summer wardrobe, the Linum Tee by designer Bristol Ivy takes inspiration from Fisherman’s Rib stitch to create this airy top. This top pattern uses short-rows to shape the front neck, and the 100% linen yarn makes this tee extra light for hot summer days.

Alongside Slouch

Use a simple stitch and an unusual construction to create the Alongside Slouch. This hat, designed by Stefanie Bold, begins with a garter-stitch panel worked back and forth. Stitches are then picked up along either side of the panel, with one side using increases to shape the crown while the other mirrors it using decreases. Finally, side stitches are joined to the central panel using short-rows and a perpendicular join. As a result, you can wear this hat in any direction!

Spoked Cardigan

Intriguing construction and a riot of color make the Spoked Cardigan by designer Carol Feller enjoyable to knit and to wear. Worked from side to side, this pattern uses short-rows in garter-stitch to shape the yoke. This makes it easy to hide the short-row wraps without extra work. The variegated, 100% wool yarn does all the color work for you, resulting in a cozy, colorful cardigan.

Newsom Pullover

A perfect cozy sweater, the Newsom Pullover by Danae Smith combines top-down construction with short-row shaping at the bottom hem to create a flattering silhouette. Colorwork motifs around the neck and bottom hem add pops of contrast to the sweater, while the main body has lots and lots of stockinette. It’s ideal for zoning out while streaming your favorite series.

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Short-row shaping is an incredibly useful technique, regardless of whether you’re making a sweater, a hat, or something else entirely! If you want a more comprehensive examination than just a blog post, then check out Jennifer Dassau’s online workshop.

I hope you find something intriguing to knit this summer, and, as always,

Happy Knitting,
Julia

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More Short-Row Patterns + Techniques!