shortrows • The Knitting Vortex

Line Art

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Sep 202016

I created this short row shawl pattern as an indie complement to my upcoming book, and I’m offering the pattern as a free thank you gift to anyone who pre-orders my new book Knitting Short Row: Techniques for Great Shapes and Angles, through November 30. Here are the details: Pre-order Knitting Short Rows on Amazon. Take a screen shot of your receipt. Email that image to vortex@jenniferdassau.com I’ll send you a unique download code that you can use on Ravelry to get the digital pdf of this pattern free! If you’ve already pre-ordered, you can get this pattern free too! Just send me your pre-order receipt and I’ll send you your code. Offer ends November 30, 2016. ————————————————- Line Art Contrasting garter lines accent the clean stockinette canvas of this sideways swoop shawl. Choose bold monotones or a rainbow of colored leftovers to create your art; the elongated bias shape suits men or women, and can be made to any size. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, German short rows. Size: 60” wingspan . . .

Knitting Short Rows

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Sep 132016

Knitting Short Rows: Techniques for Great Shapes and Angles is my new book with Interweave, and it’s available now from Amazon. From the book intro: Shape your knitwear seamlessly using short row techniques, including wrap & turn, yarnover, German and Japanese methods, and twin stitch shadow wraps. The beauty, ease and charm of knitwear comes in large part from its organic nature, from the curve of a sweater around the body, the depth and texture of a warm scarf, or the perfect slouch of a hat. I love designing knits that shape the fabric or create interesting detail using various knitting techniques. One of my favorite techniques of all is short rows. Short rows are an invaluable technique that allow the knitter to create curves, angles and depth, resulting in modern, seamless knitwear that is both engaging to knit and flattering to wear. Knitting Short Rows is both a technical learning resource with tutorials, and a beautiful design source that embodies modern, seamless knitting with 17 designs including garments, accessories and wraps. See all the . . .

Shadowling

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Jan 192016

A topography of shadow cables is knit flat and folded, then two short seams form this cocoon cardigan. Short rows shape the wide ribbed edging, creating a warm and dramatic shawl collar; the ribbed edge and cuffs are finished with elegant applied I-cord. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit/purl, cables, short rows, working in the round, applied I-cord; stitch pattern is both written and charted, and a link to my short row tutorials is included. Size: S (M, L); shown in size S on a 35” bust. Yarn: Rowan Cocoon (80% merino wool, 20% kid mohair; 126 yards/115m/100g), shown in Cloud; 6 (7, 8) skeins, or approximately 650 (775, 925) yards of bulky weight wool/mohair blend yarn; a fiber blend that blocks to a soft and drapey fabric is recommended to achieve the silhouette and ease of this cocoon-shaped garment. Other Materials: US 11 (8mm) 32” circular needle or size to match gauge; US 11 (8mm) 60” circular needle for ribbed edge; Stitch markers (1); Cable needle; Yarn needle. Gauge: 15 st and 20 . . .

Vurvene

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Jul 222015

Vurvene is a feisty and decisive belle, long and lean with simple beauty. This bias asymmetric shawl is worked in garter stitch, with sweeping eyelet rows framing ever-lengthening short row stockinette wedges. A picot top edge adds just a touch of feminine decoration to her bold and linear charm. Vurvene is part of Three Belles & One Beau, a collection featuring three diverse sideways shawls with short row details, plus one simple sideways textured wrap. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, short rows. This pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials. Size: 80” wingspan and 17” depth. Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Fingering (70% merino wool, 30% silk; 220 yards/50g); 3 skeins, shown in Bordeaux. The sample as written used approximately 660 yards of drapey fingering weight yarn, but any amount may be used; see Designer’s Notes. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (1); Yarn needle. Gauge: 18 st and 36 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this . . .

Lurlene

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Jul 142015

Lurlene is a flirty belle, not complicated but eye-catchingly engaging and pretty. This one-skein crescent shawlette is worked sideways in garter stitch, beginning and ending with a few stitches. Decorative eyelets frame the stockinette short row godets which shape the curving lower edge, and look lovely on both sides. Lurlene is part of Three Belles & One Beau, a collection featuring three diverse sideways shawls with short row details, plus one simple sideways textured wrap. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, short rows. This pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials. Size: 50” wingspan and 12” depth. Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (100% merino wool; 420 yards/100g); 1 skein, shown in Baltic.The sample as written used approximately 375 yards of fingering weight yarn, but any amount may be used. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (3); Yarn needle. Gauge: 22 st and 28 rows/4” in stockinette stitch; 22 st and 40 rows/4” in garter stitch after blocking. Gauge is not critical for . . .

Dulcene

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Jul 072015

Dulcene is a gentle and shallow elongated triangle, worked side to side in a soft and yielding silk & wool yarn. Repeating textured eyelet rows accent the stockinette body, and grow organically into short row garter ruffles at the lower edge, giving this belle a delicate and feminine charm. Dulcene is part of Three Belles & One Beau, a collection featuring three diverse sideways shawls with short row details, plus one simple sideways textured wrap. Techniques & Skills Used: longtail CO, knit/purl, increasing/decreasing, short rows. This pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials. Size: 60” wingspan and 18” depth. Yarn: Great Adirondack Yarn Company Silk N’ Blue (50% silk, 50% blue faced leicester wool; 120 yards/50g); 4 skeins, shown in Light Cocoa. For similar feel and drape, choose a loosely plied yarn with some luxe silk or bamboo content. The sample as written used approximately 450 yards of dk weight yarn, but any amount may be used; see Designer’s Notes. Other Materials: US 7 (4.5mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; . . .

Truffle Hunter

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Mar 182015

A rolled stockinette edge, asymmetric ribbing and subtly delicate textured stitch make Truffle Hunter a special hat of distinction. Short rows both shape the brim and add extra slouch at the nape, and the simple stitch pattern brings precious appeal to both sides of the fabric. Finished carefully, the hat is fully reversible for two lovely and unmistakably unique looks. Techniques & Skills Used: cable CO, knit/purl, short rows, decreasing. This pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials. Size: one size to fit most adults; 18” brim circumference and 9” height, measured flat and unstretched. Yarn: Shalimar Yarns Equus (100% superwash merino wool; 200 yards/183m), shown in Black Truffle; 1 skein. Sample used about 165 yards of worsted weight yarn. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) 16” circular needle or 32” circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (9); Yarn needle. Gauge: 16 st and 24 rows/4” in Raindrop stitch, after blocking. See it on Ravelry, to read more or purchase the pattern.

Yoli Cowl

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Dec 182014

A comfy infinity scarf with fun construction, the Yoli Cowl has garter stitch edges framing mesh worked with short rows. The edges grow wider and narrower, while the short rows add ease and dimension, allowing the cowl to scrunch and tuck cozily around your neck. Worked sideways from a provisional cast on and grafted, this extra long reversible cowl can be worn right off the needles, either as a long scarf or double wrapped around the neck or head to keep out the chill. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, short rows, easy lace, grafting; this pattern includes links to my short rows and grafting tutorials. Size: 46” circumference and 12” height. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/100g); 3 skeins, shown in Zinc. The sample as written used 525 yards. Other Materials: US 9 (5.5mm) needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (2); Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Yarn needle. Gauge: 16 st and 26 rows/4” in garter stitch. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different . . .

Yoli Hat

Accessories, New Release, Patterns 2 Responses »

Dec 122014

Diagonal mesh and fun sideways construction make the Yoli Hat interesting to knit, with just the right amount of modern style. Worked sideways in one piece from a provisional cast on and grafted, the garter brim fits comfortably while the short rows create slouch and naturally shape the crown. Finished carefully, Yoli is reversible and can be worn right off the needles. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, short rows, easy lace, grafting; this pattern includes links to my short rows and grafting tutorials. Size: S/M (M/L); 18.5 (20)” brim circumference and 9 (10)” crown, unstretched. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/100g); 1 skein, size S/M shown in Verde Azul. The sample as written used 140 yards. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch markers (2); Scrap yarn for provisional CO; Yarn needle. Gauge: 18 st and 28 rows/4” in garter stitch, 16 st and 32 rows in diagonal mesh pattern. See it on Ravelry, to read more or purchase the pattern.

Tutorial: Short Rows using the Japanese method

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Sep 052014

Tutorial: Short Rows using the Japanese method

The fourth in my series of tutorials for working Short Rows demonstrates the Japanese method. As in the German method, an extra loop is pulled up from below to disguise the turning point; instead of pulling it up with a YO, the working yarn is marked when the work is turned and later pulled up to create the extra loop at the time of closing the gap. This method requires a removable stitch marker, bobby pin or scrap yarn to mark the loop to be pulled up. The Japanese method on a knit row: 1. Knit to the turning point, and turn the work; slip the next stitch purlwise. 2. Place a removable stitch marker on the working yarn at the front of the work. 3. Purl the next row as needed. The Japanese method on a purl row: 1. Purl to the turning point, and turn the work; slip the next stitch purlwise. 2. Place a removable stitch marker on the working yarn at the back of the work; knit the next row as . . .

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