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 book, Knitting Short Row: Techniques for Great Shapes and Angles. Thank you for supporting Indie! 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 with link to my tutorial. Size: 60” length and 16” depth; this shawl may be customized to use any amount of yarn. Yarn: Spirited Fibers Fingering (80% superwash merino wool, 20% nylon; 400 yards/366m/100g), shown in Silver; 1 skein, plus about 12 yards each of 3 or more contrasting color fingering weight yarns. Any amount of MC may be used, as well as an infinite number of contrast color scraps. Other Materials: US 6 (4mm) 32” circular needle, or size to match gauge; Stitch marker (1); Yarn needle. Gauge: 19 st and 30 rows/4” in stockinette stitch, after blocking. Gauge is . . .

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 as a flat rectangle and folded, then two short seams form this cocoon cardigan. Short rows shape the wide ribbed edging, creating a warm and dramatic shawl collar that hugs all the right places; an elegant applied I-cord neatly finishes the edges and cuffs. Construction: Shadowling is cast on provisionally and worked as a flat rectangle to the final body row, which is left live. The piece is folded horizontally and seamed, leaving armhole openings; stitches are picked up around the openings and worked in the round for long ribbed cuffs, and finished with applied I-cord. CO and final row stitches are then worked in the round in rib with short rows to shape the shawl collar, and the long edge also finished with applied I-cord. Instructions are written for the German short row method, but your preferred method may be substituted. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, cable CO, knit/purl, cables, short rows, working in the round, applied I-cord; stitch pattern is both written and charted, with a link . . .

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 and 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; pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials. Size: 80” length and 17” depth. Yarn: Knit Picks Gloss Fingering (70% merino wool, 30% silk; 220 yards/201m/50g), shown in Bordeaux; 3 skeins. 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 marker (1); Yarn needle. Gauge: 18 st and 36 rows/4” in garter stitch, after blocking. Gauge is not critical for this project, however a different gauge may . . .

Lurlene

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Jul 142015

Lurlene is a flirty belle, not complicated but eye-catching, 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 and 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; pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials. Size: 50” length and 12” depth. Yarn: Madelinetosh Tosh Merino Light (100% merino wool; 420 yards/384m/100g), shown in Baltic; 1 skein. The sample as written used approximately 375 yards of 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 (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 this project, . . .

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 and 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; pattern includes a link to my short row tutorials. Size: 60” length and 18” depth. Yarn: Great Adirondack Yarn Company Silk N’ Blue (50% silk, 50% blue faced leicester wool; 120 yards/110m/50g), shown in Light Cocoa; 4 skeins. 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; Stitch markers (4); Yarn needle. . . .

Truffle Hunter

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Mar 182015

A rolled stockinette edge, asymmetric ribbing and a 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. The 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 or on Payhip, 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 lace 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 and head. 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 your neck or head to keep out the chill. Construction: The Yoli Cowl is knit sideways beginning with a provisional CO which is grafted to the final row. Stitch gauge determines the height of the cowl, while row gauge determines its length; to adjust the length, work fewer or more repeats of the mesh. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, short rows, easy lace, grafting; links are included to my short rows and grafting tutorials. Size: 46” circumference and 12” height. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (100% merino wool, 210 yards/ 192m/100g), shown in Zinc; 3 skeins, or 525 yards of . . .

Yoli Hat

Accessories, New Release, Patterns 2 Responses »

Dec 122014

Diagonal mesh and fun sideways construction make the Yoli Hat engaging to knit, with just the right amount of modern style. Worked sideways in one piece from a provisional cast on and then 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. Construction: The Yoli Hat is knit sideways beginning with a provisional CO which is grafted to the final row. Stitch gauge determines the height of the crown, while row gauge determines circumference; to adjust the size of the brim, work fewer or more repeats of the mesh. Techniques & Skills Used: provisional CO, knit, short rows, easy lace, grafting; links are included 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/ 192m/100g), size S/M shown in Verde Azul; 1 skein, or 140 (155) yards of worsted weight wool yarn. Other Materials: US 8 (5mm) needle, or size . . .

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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