Back to Short Rows

Back to the short row experiment -- neither blizzard, nor skiing, nor t-shirt knit along can keep nona from short rows.  When last we met, I was experimenting with 3 short row techniques.  But first a bit of background...

Short rows are a handy way to invisibly shape knit fabric.  Short rows are commonly used to shape shoulders, necklines, and sleeve caps, to accommodate varying rows gauges, to work darts, etc.  Frankly, the usefulness of short rows is only limited by your imagination.  Yes, perceptive reader, nona loves short rows.  Each short row has a turning point, where the knitting is turned without completing the row.  A gap is formed at each turning point, which is typically closed when the gap is next encountered.  The different short row techniques differ in two ways -- what happens at the turning point and how the gap is closed.   

For my experiment, I worked 3 swatches using 3 short row techniques -- the wrap stitch short row, the Japanese short row, and the yarn over short row.  Here are the results...

My least favorite technique was the wrapped stitch.  Wouldn't you know, this is the short row technique I typically use!  The wrapped stitch technique was both the hardest to execute and produced the bumpiest result.  I liked both the Japanese and the Yarn Over techniques, with a slight preference to the Japanese.

Over the next few day, I'll give details on each of these techniques so you can try the experiment for yourself.  Here is the swatch I used for each -- each technique differs in how the "turn" and the "closing gaps" are worked.  The swatch first works a series of knit side short rows in one color and then works a series of purl side short rows in a contrasting color.  Try the experiment for yourself -- which short row technique do you prefer?

With Color 1, Cast On 25 stitches (sts)
Work 2 rows in garter stitch
Work 4 rows in stockinette stitch (st st)
Knit (k) 20 sts, turn
Purl (p) all sts
k 15 sts, turn
p all sts
k 10 sts, turn
p all sts
k 5 sts, turn
p all sts
k 25 sts, closing gaps as each is encountered
Change to color 2
p one row
k one row
p 20 sts, turn
k all sts
p 15 sts, turn
k all sts
p 10 sts, turn
k all sts
p 5 sts, turn
k all sts
p 25 sts, closing gaps as each is encountered
Work 4 rows in st st
Work 2 rows in garter stitch
Bind Off all sts