Wrap and Turn Short Rows

Short Rows confused me for a very long time.  I played with them a few times, but the 'wrap and turn' didn't make any sense to me; and then picking up those wraps?  Forget it.  Turns out, wrapping the stitches and picking up those wraps is really not necessary.  Most knitters do it to help avoid holes in their fabric.  As I was knitting the Flutter Scarf (which is all short rows), I did not wrap my stitches.  I found that I really didn't have issue with any holes, at least not big gaping holes I imagined would happen without wrapping before turning.

There are many different types of short rows, and each particular method may be done differently by each knitter.  The Wrap and Turn method is the only one I have used thus far, but I am interested in learning some of the other methods.  Below are some links to other types of short rows, as well as a video on how I do the wrap and turn.  I hope this helps.  If you know of other ways to work short rows, feel free to post a comment!

The basic idea on short rows is, knit (or purl) the designated number of stitches, and then turn and work those same stitches again.  You will have unworked stitches left on the needle.  Continue knitting and turning as your pattern directs.

If you want to wrap your stitch before turning:

On a Knit side:  Leave the working yarn at the back of the work, slip the next stitch on the left needle purlwise to the right needle, bring the working yarn to the front of the work, slip the stitch back to the left needle, turn and continue knitting - your yarn should be in front of the work, assuming your next row is a purl row.  Don't pull the yarn too tightly around the stitch - you just want to wrap it in a hug, not strangle it to death.   To hide the wrap, you need to knit it together with the stitch it is wrapping.  When you reach the wrapped stitch, insert the right needle into the wrap and then into the stitch and knit them together.  It may be easier to do this if you put the wrap onto the left needle beside the stitch.

On a Purl side: Leave the working yarn at the front of the work, slip the next stitch on the left needle purlwise to the right needle, bring the working yarn to the back of the work, slip the stitch back to the left needle, turn and continue knitting - your yarn will be at the back of the work, assuming your next row is a knit row.   To hide the wrap, you will again need to purl the wrap and the stitch it wraps together.  I find it easiest to slip the wrapped stitch to the right needle, pick up the wrap with the left needle, then slip the stitch back to the left needle and purl them together.

LINKS:

Japanese Short Rows: if Nona Knits then you can too
German Short Rows and W&T:  from Ravelry
Short Row info of all kinds: from TECHknitter
Making and Common Uses: from Knitpicks

The reason I decided to make this video is because short rows are how my potato chip scarf is knit (Flutter Scarf pattern is here on the post after this one).  Other than just messing around and trying to figure things out, this is the first project I have used short rows on.

Here is my video:

I-Cord on Straight Needles (Single Points)

Yes, I am a little I-Cord obsessed tonight.  I have been wanting to share some I-Cord info for a long time now, and today seemed like the perfect time.  And if the three videos I made today weren't enough, I plan a video on using the Embellish Knit for making I-Cord in record time at some point in the near future.  I decided that the Beaded, Spiral and this one were enough I-Cord lessons for one day though!

Usually, you will see instructions for I-Cord on Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) or even circular needles.  Maybe you only have straight needles, or "single pointed needles", if you will.  Don't despair - you can still knit I-Cord on your straights!

Cast on the required number of stitches

Do not turn the work - instead, slip the stitches onto the other needle, so the working yarn is toward the back end of the needle, instead of near the tip as it would be if you were knitting normally.  

Now, knit the stitches

Do not turn the work - simply slip the stitches back to your other needle as before.  Knit the stitches again.

Keep knitting and slipping your stitches back to the empty needle until the cord is as long as you want it.  Bind off as you normally would, snip the yarn and pull through the last stitch, weave in tails.  

See, I told you it was easy!   

Here is a video.  Enjoy!

Spiral I-Cord

Sample was knit with Lily Sugar n Cream on US Size 6 needles - 4 stitches

I have been thinking about spiral/curly I-Cord for some time now.  None of the info I found (like HERE) was what I was looking for.  The curl was produced after the length of the cord had been knit - when I bind off, I like that to be the end!  I am not too fond of binding off and still having something left to do (seaming, anyone?).  You can even do a mini version of my Amazing Curly Scarf to make spirals - I believe this is the method in Knitting Over the Edge.  But I didn't want that look either.  So, this morning I got out some yarn and needles, and played around until I came up with this method.  I am not saying I am the first to do it like this, because I am sure someone else out there has done this before me, but I didn't find any instructions for spiral I-Cord during my search that was like this.

It is very simple to do and I willingly admit that I am darn proud of myself for having an idea that actually works!  So, without further ado, here is what I did.  I am assuming that you already know how to make the standard I-Cord by the way.

Cast on 4 stitches - you can use either DPNs or a circular needle

Slide stitches to the other end of the needle as normal and knit all stitches
Row 2 - Knit 2, Slip 1, Knit 1
Row 3 - Knit 2, Slip 1, Knit 1
Row 4 - Knit all stitches

Repeat Row 2 - 4 until cord is the desired length

What to do with the curly I-Cord?  Maybe replace the standard fringe on a scarf with these nifty spirals, or top off a hat.  You can even add beads - I have a tutorial on that too. You are only limited by your imagination.

This is by no means the only way to knit a spiral cord.  I encourage you to play around with different yarns and needle sizes, and even a different number of stitches.  Perhaps add another row or two where the stitch is slipped - heck, slip two stitches.  You may come up with a better curling cord.  If you do alter this "pattern", I would love to see what you come up with!

Here is a brief video of the technique.  Enjoy!

Beaded I-Cord

If you are looking for a way to add some pizzazz to your I-Cord, beads might be the answer you are looking for.  Here are two ways to add beads to your I-Cord.

I suggest pre-stringing the beads, since I-Cord is fiddly enough as it is.  Having the beads on your yarn from the start is more convenient.  Also, if you are following a pattern you will place the beads as directed by the pattern.  Otherwise, put them where you like, as many or as few as you like.  

Method One:

When you reach the point where you would like to have your bead, slide the bead up the yarn and to the needle.  Bring the yarn to the front of the work, and slip the next stitch on the left needle purlwise.  Take the yarn back to the back of the work, and continue knitting.  (I find it helpful if I hold the bead in place with my thumbnail at this point)

Repeat this where ever you would like to place a bead on your I-Cord.

Method Two:

When you reach the stitch where you would like to have a bead, insert the right needle into it, but don't knit it just yet.  Next, slide your bead up the yarn to the needle.  Now, make the knit stitch, pulling the bead through the stitch along with the yarn.  Continue knitting.  On the next row when you get to the stitch with the bead on it, slide the bead up over the needle and to the back of the  stitch.  When you make the new stitch, the bead should pop out to the front of the I-Cord.

Here is a video demonstrating both of these methods.