The primary goal of this tutorial is to help you grasp the basics of short row neckline shaping instead of binding off stitches.
It’s especially useful for beginners who want to learn the fundamental principles and later apply them to their own garments. There is video presentation at the end.
Round Neckline Shaping With German Short Rows
I made a swatch for this purpose which would fit to a small child. Used different color yarn in short rows for demonstration. Round neckline. German short rows.
Here is a short recap on knitting round neckline:
Determine width and height for neck hole, convert to stitches and rows.
Divide all neck hole stitches in 3 even parts.
Leave not less than 1/3 of stitches for the neckline bottom part.
Split the rest of the stitches equally on both sides.
Divide stitches on each side in 3 groups of 3, 2, and 1 stitches.
For perfectly round neck hole leave at least 2 non-short rows.
Here is the guide on how to calculate a perfectly round neck hole.
Practical Exercise
As this article is more practical, let’s start. Total 52 stitches.
Gauge – 20 stitches, 30 rows per 10 cm (4″).
I need 18 cm (7.08″) wide and 6 cm (2.36″) deep neck hole. According to the gauge, it is 36 stitches wide and 18 rows deep.
8 stitches for each shoulder line.
36 stitches divided by 3 is 12 stitches. Distribute equally for bottom, right and left side. Place markers.
For each side, divide into 3 groups of 3,2 and 1.
12:3=4 stitches in each group. Now, since we have only 4 stitches in the first group, we will leave as 4. Result 4-2-2-1-1-1-1 stitches. These stitches are our short row turning points. Also, don’t forget that we will also turn just before the middle 12 stitches.
We have 8 turning points. Since we work short rows in pairs, we have 16 rows. Adding 2 full rows makes 18 rows in total.
Shape round neck hole (right side):
1-2. Start on the right side. Knit 20 sts (to the middle part), turn, make German short row double stitch, purl back.
3-4. Knit 16 sts, turn, make German short row double stitch, purl back.
5-6. Knit 14 sts, turn, make German short row double stitch, purl back.
7-8. Knit 12 sts, turn, make German short row double stitch, purl back.
9-10. Knit 11 sts, turn, make German short row double stitch, purl back.
11-12. Knit 10 sts, turn, make German short row double stitch, purl back.
13-14. Knit 9 sts, turn, make German short row double stitch, purl back.
15-16. Knit 8 sts, turn, make German short row double stitch, purl back.
17. Knit across
18. Purl Across
Knitting to the left side:
- Knit shoulder stitches to get to the neck hole.
- Pick up 3 stitches from the straight part.
- Knit German short row double stitches
- Knit all the way to the left side
Shape round neck hole (left side):
When you get to the left side, neck hole shaping starts on the purl row.
It means that you work short rows on the purl rows.
The short row calculation rests the same.
After you have done 18 rows, follow the same principle as shown in the image 3. But this time you will get to the right side and knit all the stitches.
Don’t worry if 1 side has one more row. That is fine and will not make a difference in the end look.
Short Row Neck Shaping YouTube Video
Mastering short row neckline shaping is a valuable skill. By understanding and applying the principles outlined in this guide, you’ll be able to create beautifully rounded necklines with precision and confidence.
Remember, practice is key. Whether you’re knitting for a small child or an adult, the principles remain the same, allowing you to adapt and customize your projects as needed.
I hope this tutorial has been helpful and inspiring.
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