Short rows for socks, part 2: How (View Part One here)
This second part of the exploration into short rows and their usefulness in socks concentrates on the how part of the short row mystery. Specifically, though, it is a look at how I make my short row heels and toes. My method is not in any way the definitive method – there are many ways of knitting short rows, and this just happens to be my personal favourite for both looks and ease of knitting.
Wherever you are starting your heel or toe, whether beginning toe-up with a provisional cast on, knitting the toe last, knitting the heel in-line or as an afterthought, you will be knitting over exactly half of your total leg circumference stitches. Instances of how to set up placement of your heel or toe are given in part one of this look at short rows for socks. So, for a 48 (52, 56, 60, 64, 68, 72) stitch sock, start with 24 (26, 28, 30, 32, 34, 36) stitches on a single DPN/circular and knit back and forth. All stitches should be slipped purl-wise.
Row 1 (RS): Knit until last stitch, bring yarn forward between needles, slip last stitch to right needle, bring yarn back to rear of work, slip stitch back to left needle. There is now a ‘wrap’ around the base of the last stitch. Turn work.
Row 2 (WS): Purl until last stitch, take yarn backwards between needles, slip last stitch to right needle, bring yarn to front of work, slip stitch back to left needle. Turn work.
Row 3: Knit until one stitch before nearest ‘wrapped’ stitch. Bring yarn forward between needles, slip last stitch to right needle, bring yarn back to rear of work, slip stitch back to left needle. Turn work.
Row 4: Purl until one stitch before nearest ‘wrapped’ stitch, take yarn backwards between needles, slip last stitch to right needle, bring yarn to front of work, slip stitch back to left needle. Turn work.
Repeat these last two rows until you have 10 (10, 12, 12, 12, 14, 14) unwrapped stitches in the centre of your short row sections. You’re not finished yet, but at this half way point, take a little while to get to know your wraps.
Recognise your wraps:
Knitting short rows is made much easier if you can recognise your wraps. Here, changing yarn colour has helped highlight the ‘collar’ of yarn sitting around the base of the stitch it is wrapping. The stitches to the left of this newly wrapped stitch are also wrapped, but in the red yarn and so are less obvious at first glance.
The next part of knitting your short row heel/toe involves re-knitting over your wrapped stitches, picking up the wraps as you go, and working one further row each time.
Row 1: Knit to the first wrapped stitch (1). Slip that stitch to the right needle (2). Using the tip of the left needle, pick up the wrap (3). Place the slipped stitch back onto the left needle, alongside the wrap. Knit the stitch and its wrap together, through the back loop (4). Bring yarn forward between needles, slip last stitch to right needle, bring yarn back to rear of work, slip stitch back to left needle. Turn work.
Row 2: Purl to the first wrapped stitch, slip that stitch to the right needle, using the tip of the left needle, pick up the wrap. Place the slipped stitch back onto the left needle, alongside the wrap. Purl the stitch and its wrap together. Take yarn backwards between needles, slip last stitch to right needle, bring yarn to front of work, slip stitch back to left needle. Turn work.
Row 3: Knit to the first wrapped stitch, which now has two wraps. Slip that stitch to the right needle, using the tip of the left needle, pick up both wraps . Place the slipped stitch back onto the left needle, alongside the wraps. Knit the stitch and its wraps together, through the back loop. Bring yarn forward between needles, slip last stitch to right needle, bring yarn back to rear of work, slip stitch back to left needle. Turn work.
Row 4: Purl to the first wrapped stitch, which now has two wraps. Slip that stitch to the right needle, using the tip of the left needle, pick up both wraps . Place the slipped stitch back onto the left needle, alongside the wraps. Purl the stitch and its wraps together. Bring yarn backwards between needles to rear of work, slip last stitch to right needle, bring yarn forward between needles, slip stitch back to left needle. Turn work.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until all wraps have been knitted together with their stitches.
You are now ready to either undo your provisional cast on for your toe-up sock and surge ahead with your knitting, carry on with your sock if you are making an in-line heel or kitchener your stitches with their waiting partners to complete your sock for an afterthought heel or top-down sock. Short rows are simple, really.
