Short rows are a technique that allow to add partial rows to a project in order to shape it : to form the heel on a sock, to lift a collar on the back, to make darts for the bust, to shape a shawl…

German short rows is one of many different techniques of short-rwos. It consist to slip a stitch and pull the yarn around the needle to tighten the stitch around the needle.

Short row on the right

Step 1

Knit as indicated in the pattern until you get to the stitch where you need to turn.

Turn your project.

Step 2

Slip the first stitch from left needle to the right needle purlwise.

Step 3

Pull the yarn to tighten the slipped stitch. The stitch below shows 2 “legs” facing you.

Step 4

Going behind and below the needle, pass the yarn on the front.

The yarn and the slipped stitch forms two “legs” on the back too.

You’re ready to work the next row on the wrong side.

Result

This is what the slipped stitch looks like on the right side.

This is what the slipped stitch looks like on the wrong side.

Short row on the wrong side

Step 1

Purl as indicated in the pattern until you get to the stitch where you need to turn.

Turn your work and pass the yarn on the front.

Step 2

Slip the first stitch from left needle to the right needle purlwise.

Step 3

Pull the yarn to tighten the slipped stitch. The stitch below shows 2 “crossed legs” facing you.

Kepp the yarn on the back of the needle. When you will knit the next stitch, the working yarn and the slipped stitch will form 2 “legs” too on the back.

You’re ready to work the next right side row.

Result

This is what the slipped stitch looks like on the right side.

This is what the slipped stitch looks like on the wrong side.

Result of short rows on both sides.

This is what the slipped stitches look like after 6 short rows (3 on the right side, 3 on the wrong side).

Working a slipped stitch from short rows when they appear

On the right side

When you work a right side row and you meet a slipped stitch with 2 “legs” (resulting from a german short row), you need to pass the point of the right needle in the 2 legs of the slip stitch, knitwise, and knit those 2 “legs” together.

On the wrong side

When you work a wrong side row and you meet a slipped stitch with 2 “legs” (resulting from a german short row), you need to pass the point of the right needle in the 2 legs of the slip stitch, purlwise, and purl those 2 “legs” together.