Japanese short rows knitting
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.
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.
Japanese short rows purl side
Closing a gap on the purl side.
As you can see, knitting short rows in the round doesn’t differ from regular short rows, but, remember, I was talking about a catch working in the round?
Closing the last gap on the right side
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

If you liked this article, please share it!
Check out previous posts, where I show how to crochet a handbag!
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 fibres like wool will hide minor mistakes and unevenness.
See you soon!
Sharing is caring!