Short Rows - Free Class

Today I just started knitting a dress for my granddaughter and want to use short rows to shape the arm holes. As I will be sharing this pattern with you all once it is completed I thought it would be a good idea for today's post to introduce you to short rows if you're not already aquainted.

Short Rows tend to strike fear into the hearts of the uninitiated, but, like all knitting, there's really nothing so mysterious about it.

Short Rows are used to create triangles or wedges within your knitting. They shape everything from bust darts to ear flaps. Basically, a Short Row is just that: a row that you don't knit to the end of the needle. Instead, you work part of the way across the row, do something called a "wrap and turn", and then work back the other way, sometimes to the end and sometimes to another wrap and turn.

It has been a while since I used this technique so I decided to take a refresher course.I took a mini class on Craftsy.It really is worth while taking a look at this free class.you will learn how easy using short rows can be in this free, technique-based mini-class from Craftsy. Swatch along with Carol Feller, an expert knitwear designer, as she shows four different short row methods: wrap and turn short rows, Japanese short rows, yarn over short rows and her own invisible short rows.

You'll also see why Craftsy users love these online video classes. Watch each lesson on your schedule, as many times as you want, and ask Carol and your classmates questions along the way.

Because this is a free course, discussion is student-led (rather than instructor-led). If you see a question you know the answer to, please don't hesitate to join the conversation!

What You'll Learn in Short Rows

• The standard wrap & turn and three variations
• Make invisible short-row joins
• Create seamless set-in sleeves
• Construct custom bust darts to your exact measurements
• Shape yokes, hemlines, elbows, waistlines, and more
• Combine short rows with a 3-needle bind-off to create stepless shoulders

Master short rows in no time - sign up for Short Rows today! Online Knitting Class 

  And tomorrow I will share with you the pattern for Gracie's (my granddaughter) dress.

Understanding Some Common Knitting Terms

Understanding common knitting terms is half the battle of learning how to knit. It all seems very confusing at first, but with a little bit of perseverance you will soon be fluent in the language of knitters everywhere.

I have compiled a list of some of the most common knitting terms you will come across and as when I think of any others I will be sure to add them.

Bind Off (Cast Off)

Casting off, also known as bind off, is the knitting procedure for removing the knitted stitches from the knitting needle

Cable Knitting

A type of knitting that produces a textured pattern of pipe like patterns (called cables) on the fabric. A special cable needle is used for this technique.

Cast On

To add the required number of stitches to the needle to start knitting.

Continental Knitting

A method of knitting where the yarn is held in the left hand. It is sometimes known as “picking” because of the limited movement it requires.

Decrease

Reduce the number of stitches.

Dye Lot

Most yarn is dyed in batches. This means that although yarn may be the same color, if yarn comes from different batches the shade may vary slightly. The dye lot is usually stamped on the paper band of each ball of wool.

English Knitting                                                                          

A method of knitting where the yarn is held in the right hand.

Entrelac

A knitting technique that produces knitted fabric with a basket-woven effect.

Fair Isle Knitting

Fair Isle is a traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colours. Traditional Fair Isle patterns are limited to five or so colours, using only two colours per row, are worked in the round, and limit the length of a run of any particular colour

Increase

Add a number of stitches.

Intarsia

A technique for adding colors to knitting, often in the form of motifs. Unlike Fair Isle knitting, the yarn is not carried across the back of the work and only and the areas of color are all separate pieces.

Ribbing

A striped, textured pattern often seen on the hems of knitted fabric. The pattern is created by alternating a few purl stitches with a few knit stitches.

Right Side

This is the side of the knitted fabric that will show when the garment is worn. If you are knitting stockinette stitch, it is the side you knit on.

Selvedge (Selvage)

This is the edge of the knitted fabric.

Skein

Most yarn is sold in skeins rather than balls. A skeins is a longer, more oval shape than a ball but it is not of a specific length.

Slip-Stitch

A stitch is passed from the left needle to the right needle without being knitted. Slip stitches can be used for making extra long stitches and carrying over colors.

Steek

Steeking is when you knit the body of a sweater in a tube,and then reinforce and cut open where the armholes go then sleeves are inserted.

Tension / Gauge

This is the recommended number of stitches and rows you get when you knit a particular size square (usually 4” or 10cm square).

Wrong Side

This is the side that faces inwards (ie you do not see it) when the garment is worn.

Yarn Over

A knitting technique where the yarn is passed over the right needle for increasing or decoration.

If you've spent time around knitters, you most likely have heard some of these knitting terms being tossed around. As with most things in life, you don't know what you don't know.


I've tried to break them down with some simple explanations and I think you'll find many "ah, ha" moments as I hope I have taken the mystery out of  some of the terminology. If you can think of any that should be added I'd love to hear them.

Happy Knitting!