Japanese short rows knitting
Japanese short rows I discovered recently and fell in love immediately. Although you need to use extra accessories like stitch markers, it is a precise method on bright yarn or yarn with a clear stitch definition. This method uses less yarn in the loop created and thus makes short row turning point almost invisible. Prepare stitch markers to follow instructions. Here, I use two stitch markers. You might need more if you work, for example, shoulder slant. If you turn your work five times, you need five stitch markers.
Japanese short rows in the round
Japanese short rows method in the round uses the same idea. But there is a catch. When all short rows shaping is finished, and you continue working in the round, and you come across one unworked turning point loop. It will look awkward, and I will show how to deal with it.
Also, in the video below, I am showing all the process knitting short rows in the round.
Japanese short rows right side
I am on the right side of my knitwork, and I need to turn my work. I take stitch marker, turn work, and place it onto working yarn.
In the example, I purled seven stitches, and I need to turn work to the right side again.
Closing the gaps
Closing a gap on the purl side.
Closing the last gap on the right side
Dealing with the last unworked stitch when knitting in the round
Let’s assume we have finished short rows knitting, and started regular knitting in the round. You will come across one unworked short row turning point. The marker will appear on the left side. How to close the gap? Since it is on the opposite side, we need to do the same thing, but in reverse order.
Don’t knit the last stitch before the gap. Slip it as to knit instead. We pull the marker and get the loop on the left-hand needle with the right leg onto the back of the needle. Place slipped stitch on the left-hand needle. K2TOG TBL – knit two together through the back loop.
The loop will be quite tight, therefore, uncomfortable to knit two together through the back loop (K2TOG TBL).
Also, I noticed, that stitch will be more visible (more stretched) than the other stitches. But, overall, I find it very neat.
I hope this helps you to master Japanese short rows and in the round!
Japanese Short Rows in Ribbing YouTube
More short row techniques:
- Wrap and turn;
- German short rows;
- Yarn Over (YO);
- Shadow wrap (aka twin stitch);
Some are easier executable, some are more fiddly, but they all do their job – closing a gap in short rows knitting.
Some short rows are more visible on knitted piece. If you use cotton, bamboo, viscose or silk you want turning point to be almost invisible, use German or Japanese short rows method. Fluffy fibers like wool will hide minor mistakes and unevenness.
See you soon!