As you know, I don't have all the answers, but I do love to find great resources for learning new things and developing a solid understanding. Right now I'm diving into short rows to shape a neckline. Join me for this ramble and be sure to check out the resources I link to here. ❤ Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker: Improvising a Top Down Sweater by Karen Templer: ktslowcloset.com/2016/08/14/improv-basic-pattern-for-a-top-down-seamless-sweater/ The Unapologetic Knitter Knit Talk Ep. 26: ua-cam.com/video/cmw4sMG-JdQ/v-deo.html Knitting with Frogginette: Short Rows: ua-cam.com/video/f_yBcvZL79k/v-deo.html Talvi Knits Improving the Neckline of a Circular Yoke/Raglan Yoke Sweater: www.susannawinter.net/post/2020/06/12/improving-circular-yoke-fit-with-short-rows-tutorial www.susannawinter.net/post/how-to-improve-top-down-raglan-fit-with-short-rows
Things to consider: - Wrap and turns are not the only short rows (they suck tbh) and to me German Short Rows and Shadow Wrap are superior! You can always swap your favorite short row technique - A staggered start technique is my favorite because it creates a more stable start to the neckline below the ribbing so you don't get a ribbing that will stretch out too much overtime do to the weight of the sweater. Also it allows you to adjust your cowl if you don't like it since you knit it after by picking up stitches.
Before beginning the video, I'm laughing to myself because just a few weeks ago, at the beginning of my first sweater journey, I was going "WHAT DOES SHORT ROW?" "How short row?!" I had to go talk to the owner of my local yarn store so she could explain their function to me 😅
lol...I totally get it. I remember having the same "I'm a caveperson and I don't understand burning fire" moment when I first encountered short rows. I just couldn't wrap my head around it. (there's a pun there somewhere) 😂
Also, I just want to say thank you for talking about how you modify patterns to suit your tastes, body, etc. Before watching you, it had never occurred to me that I could or should modify a pattern. And while there might be things I didn’t like about a pattern I used, I never had the confidence (or knowledge of how) to change it to better satisfy. So I REALLY appreciate your Frankensweater and your little black tee rambles, blogs, etc. They have not only given me the knowledge, but also the confidence to try changing things in a pattern.
Thank you Tayler for a wonderful informative episode. While I am a long time knitter I am also into a deeper dive of the whys, what’s and where’s. Honestly my first introduction to top down raglans were with the staggered start. Doing short rows instead seemed like an unnecessary complication. I still think it is after doing both. The only reason I can think of is if someone absolutely dreads picking up stitches for the collar. The advantages to picking up for the neckline far outweigh the downsides. 1. Neckline is more stable when stitches are picked up. 2. You can make adjustments more easily to the final fitting of the neckline by picking up fewer or more stitches at key points such as sleeves, front, back.. .say the back hangs just a little lower than what you like, pick up fewer stitches in the back and more in the front. 3. If you knit a whole sweater and the only thing you didn’t like about it is the collar, it’s easy to redo. I find the collar to be one of the areas I’m most likely to dislike about a sweater, I often end up reknitting it multiple times until I have it just right. Two of my favorite staggered patterns are Alicia Plummer’s Bibliophile 2 for DK and Marius Pullover by lauriane et charlie for fingering and sport. I’ve knit multiples of both of these in varying weights of yarn. For a closer fitting neckline I just start with a smaller size and make stitch count adjustments to where I want to end up for ease. I vary the depth of the yoke as well based on how I want to wear the sweater. I really appreciated your prior video discussing armhole depth as well. Thanks again! Patty
I laughed when I saw all of your diagrams in your notebook. I have a very similar looking notebook from when I was figuring out how to add shawl collar for my stonecrop cardigan. all of the math and knitting and ripping and reknitting and doodling paid off in the end.
I loved this podcast. THANK YOU! My entire family thanks you. I have cried over short rows. I have really struggled with short rows and never understood the “why.” The back and forth and tracking turning. Aaack. Awesome class!!❤❤
This was perfect timing!! I just started questioning different short row methods. Why go longer? Why go shorter? I hadn’t started the deep dive yet…so I THANK YOU for the jump start!! Oh and this visual learner had an AH HA moment when you were talking about round yoke short rows and you held your hands up drawing them down in a V shape…lol It clicked!! Thanks again for your efforts!
Great video! Had to comment because I recently re knitted a sweater pattern that shaped the neckline using short rows and modified it to use the staggered method instead. The neckline before used to bother me because the front was too high, and now it sits perfectly! I decided that I will be modifying every sweater from now on like this. Its more work and takes calculations but its worth it!
Right now I’m adding short rows at the front hem of a sweater as an afterthought. Too often, I try on a finished sweater and find it is way shorter in the front on me, than in the back, leaving my not-so-flat tummy out there for the world to see. Something funny about the way I’m made. I’ve ended up gifting a couple of pieces that I’ve worked long and hard on, because the design didn’t allow any option for modification. But today, short rows to the rescue! Had to perform surgery on the sweater, because it is bottom- up construction. Wish me luck.
You're very welcome Jessica! I am quite the 'I need to know why' person and I really found this whole research process VERY satisfying. Thank you for watching!
Hmm. How interesting. Thank you so much Taylor. As a 72-year old, sweaters were always knitted bottom up when I learned to knit and it was not an issue. It was a revelation when I came back to serious knitting a few years back to knit top-down sweaters. I had never realised the difference between raglan and yoke visavi neck shaping and not considered the shoulder slope (which is second nature to me when knitting bottom up). Hooray! I shall certainly check out the resources you mention. Love, Sally in Sweden xx
This is really interesting Sally because many folks I've spoken with who have a long history of knitting say the very same thing. Knitting things top down and seamlessly, though I know it isn't new, does seem to be outside of traditional methods. As for shoulder slope, this is a measurement that almost every sweater knitting book I have mentions and I always assumed it had to come into play in a more meaningful way at some point and how it impacts the neckline beyond the collar, essentially how things sit on the shoulders, is really interesting. ❤️
Wow! What a great episode! I so appreciate you helping us find (finding for us!) resources for learning. Please take us along with you as you dive down this rabbit hole. I don’t know if lots of us are looking into this or it’s just me, but I’ve knit so many sweaters and seldom love the results. I’m super excited to learn more from the resources you’ve provided. I’ve not joined any Patreon yet. Your FrankenKAL temps me, but I have too much on the needles right now. The Karen Templar series just might move me in that direction. Mainly, thank you for offering this on your non-Patreon account!
The Brick sweater by Clare Lee (free pattern!) on Ravelry uses a staggered start neckline. There is an increase at the first and last stitch of every row. It creates a nice neckline that's not too high, but not really a scoop neckline either. I havent quite figured out how to modify it to create different shapes in the neckline yet, but I'm looking forward to checking out the resources you listed! I really appreciate this video. I've been really interested in designing my own sweater, especially since youve been talking about all the sweater modifications and such. It actually sounds doable!
Hi. Coming from a background of dressmaking before knitting, my first thought was that short rows are like darts (or sewing two curved edges in a seam) in fabric, they allow for three dimensional changes within the body of the fabric, while the second method you touched on is more like cutting the shape of the edge of the fabric for an opening. Hand knitted fabric has different properties (more movement/stretch) than woven (or knitted fabric) so it pushes-and-pulls a bit more and in different directions. Even so, I suspect maybe short rows in the back will help with the curve of the back (like shoulder darts) and the shoulder slope (like a shoulder seam) but like you that the other method might be slightly better at controlling the shape of the neckline opening itself??????
Such great content! I think I originally learned the staggered step shaping....and I just recently braved short rows 😋. I love drop shoulder colorwork.... bottom up ( and take steeking into shaping sometimes cus cutting is easy 😉) . Anyways, I have finally dove into more top down knitting and ( actually following patterns instead of doing my own tried and true drop shoulders). This video was just what I needed. I love pattern/ designers inspiration, but at the end of the day, I just really enjoy creating my own sweater... and yarns for that matter😊. Your videos are so informative, thank you!
That was an excellent presentation on short rows and related resources. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this topic and giving us a well presented summary of your thoughts, research and observations. I think you have one of the best overall knitting channels :) Looking forward to the next one!
This is one for the "Good Timing!" files. I'm literally knitting the yoke of my second Flax sweater (aka my second sweater ever) as i watched this, and am doing the short row option of the pattern this time. Hopped ont UA-cam to get a bit of a primer and saw your video had popped up in my feed! Between your overview and Froginette I feel like I understand why I'm doing what I'm doing, and I have some more resources to dive into once I get a few more sweaters under my belt and decide to take a crack at customizing some more. Thanks!
Wow! I love this! I'm so tired of knitting sweaters that are not shaped properly and wanted to learn about short row shaping. This came at a great time. I love to learn and now you have me hooked! Thank you ✨
I did german short rows on my socks a lot before starting my first sweater with short rows :) So I knew what they were, but oh boy, Magnolia bloom sweater description of the short rows killed me 😂 I had to go and watch some videos to understand why and where. Then I ended up with too much fabric on the back of my magnolia bloom.. I still love it, but I did a crop version and I think I could drop that shaping at all, or add just a few rows. Lessons learned on each garment ☝️
Thank you for the resources! My husband has been wanting me to knit him a sweater but I am stuck because he is so large across the back in the traps area. I know that if accommodation isn't made somehow then the sweater will hike up in the back badly (as do store bought sweaters). I'm assuming short rows are the answer but don't know how to accommodate that. I will definitely be checking these resources out to see if they help.
Once again, an excellent video. Your educational approach is so appreciated, Taylor. Thank you for your efforts in what you put out. I look forward to each new video to see what ‘gems’ you share!
I am currently trying to learn about short rows mostly for shoulder caps (with stitches picked up from the body). I taught myself top-down sweaters (because I can't read patterns for toffee) and have always used the staggered method - that came to me very intuitively and it's easy.
Thank you so much for this awesome video!! Short rows are currently eating my brain as I am getting ready to knit my second raglan sweater (I am quite a beginner) and struggled with GSR's in my first one (I did not follow any patter, I sort of eyeballed it and it turned out fairly well but I did notice that the neckline was a bit square-ish for my liking (especially at the front, as I did not extend the short rows far enough). I am very thankful for all the research you have done and that you shared the most useful resources, I will watch them all. Hugs from Canada.
This is a great exploration of short rows Tayler. 30 years ago when I was learning knitting garments from patterns in Australia - Patons and Cleckheaton - these were all mainly knit in pieces either bottom up or top down and the way you describe the staggered start is how all the necklines were made. It’s a very traditional tailored approach that does have so much flexibility and can be made to fit everyone. In saying this I do love adding short rows as this provides extra options for shaping and making something even more customised to your shape. 💚
Thank you so much! Excellent! I dislike many sweater patterns because no neckline shaping and struggle adding my own short rows. As long as you are listening, cannot abide all the new boxy over-sized sweaters!
I’m a new knitter and I’ve learned so much from your videos. I really enjoy your presentation and teaching style. I’m Also intrigued by the room you film in and would love to see a video where you provide a tour of your room! I am also intrigued by the tabletop that you work at! That covering is so beautiful. Crazy request perhaps, but that room is so cozy!
Thank you. As someone who has come to knitting (and sewing) out of frustration because of how hard it's been to get clothes that fit my proportion, and then continue to have fit issues with knitting patterns, I really appreciate the info and the videos you pointed out. I'm still a new knitter and I could figure out how to make my sleeves long enough, but the necklines have been frustrating
I just learned short rows to use them to square off a chevron (zig zag) edge to make a straight edge. Not the traditional use of them but did the trick!
What a great explanatory vid, Tayler. Perfect mix of “technical” and “layman’s” descriptions. Love how you used Gladys in this one. Will def check out the other new (to me) resources you have mentioned. 😊
I have just started the Ramona Pullover by Elizabeth Smith Knits and it turns out to be a staggered start raglan. I chose the pattern because so many knitters on Ravelry commented on how well it fits! Love this discussion!
This! Great discussion and demo. Remember that sweater that I made last year that looks so respectable that I can wear it out without people saying “gosh, I guess you made that!”? It was begun with what I now, today, this minute realize is a staggered start. I had thought of it as a variation on short rows; as I remember, I cast on, knitted flat, cast on at each end, and knitted a beginning wedge to a top down raglan. It was a new concept, but made sense as I had vaguely wondered about that “choking” thing at the neckline. It’s easier to do the dreaded “join in the round making sure not to twist the stitches” too! I’m a student too, and will always be. Thanks Tayler for this pure gold episode.
I do remember that sweater! And I can totally see how the staggered start neckline would contribute to that professional look. Very cool. And you're very welcome. Thank YOU for watching. ❤️
TY so much for being you: an expert that still engages listeners as a LEARNER. I ❤how you share other's instructions (videos, books) where you're learning THEN breaking it down for your viewers. That process assuage my fears of starting big garments. If you know the ennegram, do you type as a 5 (the 🔎 investigator)? Anyway, keep teaching & inspiring ~love your black tee & excited to buy your pattern!
I basically taught myself how to knit. I have been knitting inconsistently for over 30 years. Unlike today, where people learn knitting thru social media, I learned through reading, along with picture samples of the techniques. I recall a single mention of “short rows” in one of my books, but had no idea what it was or its purpose. I was just wondering, how old is this technique? I knitted sweaters in the flat prior learning GSR, and since I am a leftie I had a difficult time understanding video tutorials. It took quite a bit of trial and error before I eventually undertood the technique. And, now, I use GSR every time I knit sweaters… Thanks for the informative video! ❤
I’m watching the video and thinking, “the sweater I’m knitting now solves that, it’s genius.” Well, it’s a staggered start neck. I am loving it. It’s called “Brick.” Got it on Ravelry. I enjoy your videos.
Just recd pattern Hollows by Mandarine’s. Thought it was straight knitting until I recd pattern. I will be paying attention. Pattern makes a beautiful Shaw. I ordered it from Ravelry.
Great video, packed with a lot of good information! Really helpful! If you don't mind I would like to share another great video I found about short rows. It's from "Mostly Knitting" called "Tutorial: Adding Short Rows to a sweater pattern that doesn't have them - Mostly Knitting Podcast".
This is a golden, index type of video, providing information for neck shaping! Highly appreciate the hard work put in that research! Thank you for sharing it!
Thank you for explaining the German short row. This is the best explanation I’ve found so far. Much appreciated! I follow patterns but never understood why I do this🤪😊 thanks again!
Perfect timing, Tayler! I've gathered my yarn & am thinking thru the pattern ~ wow! Your episode really opened my eyes to understand the process 😀 thanks for inviting us along! Yay for great visuals & intros to further insight. Many thanks!
Well explained. Thanks, Taylor. I am also a lifelong learner and came to short rows for the back of a sweater only recently, though I have knitted for decades.
Thank you for presenting such thorough research and explanations! I think I may be heading down this rabbit hole, too! This is a thoroughly unique presentation and I have not come across another post like this anywhere!!!!!
Thank you for this video! I will definitely check out the links you provided. I was wondering why I kept getting bunching at the back of my neck on my hand knit sweaters (and also store bought clothes) and suspected it was the short rows. Thank you for verifying that. Now I need to learn how to modify that in future sweaters!
This topic was so timely for me. I'm improvising a hoodie for my son and added some problematic short rows. While I was adding the SR's, I also added increases along the raglan seams but that led to more stitches in the back than the front. Many people said to only add the SR's to the back section, not along the shoulders, but I feel like the shoulder area needs extra height too. Also, I have only ever done short rows going from long to short! I didn't even know you could do short to long! 😮😮😮😮 Anyway, thanks Tay!
Thank you Taylor! Turns out I am a staggered start knitter! Never knew.......usually design my own sweaters as I can incorporate Amy Herzog’s waist shaping which I find flattering adding a few more increases to skim my hips which are wider than my breasts but still get a more body skimming fit and a split hem.
As always interesting topic. Love all your resources and approach to this subject. I had no idea of different approaches to short row shaping. Many thanks!
I'm working the luminous summer tee and it has long short rows in the front that lengthens the front, and gives greater room for larger busts. I'm on the fence about loving them, but I at least successfully worked short rows for the first time and am grateful for a new skill successfully completed. I appreciate this video so that I can learn more about short rows.
Hi Taylor. This is so wonderful. I was thinking about short rows, as I am crocheting a jumper and is to high at the front. But I don’t know if this concept can be used in crochet. 🤪 I think you have read my mind. 😁 I am very excited about learning this new technique. Thank you for your fabulousness. ❤ Hx 🇬🇧💕
It’s interesting! Currently I’m knitting newest free pattern from The Knit Purl Girl and it includes short rows below colourwork yoke, but they’re „from shorter short rows to longer short rows”
Also, I love effect of short rows in sleeves in one of the sweater from My favorite things knitwear (I’ve tried only one). Great vlog, THANK YOU for your research! Gonna try some new approaches for shaping 👌
I knit the lumme pullover by Sari Nordlund and it also has short rows under the colorwork yolk, which was new to me! I was surprised that it made such a difference to the shaping overall.
Brilliant! I'm just asking the same questions myself as I'm knitting a contiguous design garment. I just discovered the tech editors channel but these other links are going to be so useful. Thank you!!
The Winter League pullover by two of wands uses the stagger start. I found it easier than the short row shaping and really enjoyed the process of knitting it better than the short rows.
Thank you for sharing your research - very helpful! Just knitting my first circular yoke sweater and was really wondering why the short rows were knitted „the wrong way“ 😄
This video speaks to me!! I was trying to make short rows for the top of a tab sock band…horrible knit experience. The German short row with the pulled double stitch was not clear or easy for me! There has got to be a better way than pulling that stitch!
Thanks so much for all your work in creating this overview of short rows. I have found the "staggered start" method to produce a better fitting raglan on me. I have done a few raglan sweaters with short rows, but the one I always go back to for fit is the Autumn League Pullover (Two of Wands). That pattern was the first raglan pattern I ever followed and still remains to be the best fitting one. Thanks to this video, I can begin to understand why that is!
Enjoyed this episode very much. I am working on getting my sweaters to fit better. Your information about short rows will be very helpful. I plan on watching the posts you recommended. Thank you.
Another great talk! Thanks so much! And…another new knitter here-but not my first rodeo with tailoring, sewing, or fiber. So far-and I’m finishing up a cardigan that uses very LONG short rows to make dolman sleeves-is that short rows create vertical shaping, whereas increases and decreases create horizontal shaping of the fabric I am creating from….a line. And we go from there…. (Existential question: if string theory is about the building blocks of matter…is the universe knitted? 😅)
I'm knitting a sweater right now that has below the sleeve split short rows and I was so confused by it! I read a bunch of reviews and somebody mentioned it had a "sway back" fit - which makes sense from the way fabric is added! So I went with it because I have a bit of a sway back and it works really well for me in combo with neckline rows too
I love this podcast!!! You have found so many resources that I haven't found, and I have also looked for short row advice. Thanks so much for sharing all your discoveries.
The staggered start is similar to the short row top down in the way the rows grow forward like the short rows. Mods either way should be possible. Making my first top down short row raglan now. Helpful video-thanks!
As you know, I don't have all the answers, but I do love to find great resources for learning new things and developing a solid understanding. Right now I'm diving into short rows to shape a neckline. Join me for this ramble and be sure to check out the resources I link to here. ❤
Knitting from the Top by Barbara Walker:
Improvising a Top Down Sweater by Karen Templer:
ktslowcloset.com/2016/08/14/improv-basic-pattern-for-a-top-down-seamless-sweater/
The Unapologetic Knitter Knit Talk Ep. 26:
ua-cam.com/video/cmw4sMG-JdQ/v-deo.html
Knitting with Frogginette: Short Rows:
ua-cam.com/video/f_yBcvZL79k/v-deo.html
Talvi Knits Improving the Neckline of a Circular Yoke/Raglan Yoke Sweater:
www.susannawinter.net/post/2020/06/12/improving-circular-yoke-fit-with-short-rows-tutorial
www.susannawinter.net/post/how-to-improve-top-down-raglan-fit-with-short-rows
I have heard of “German short rows “ would this be the same concept? Thanks for info regarding shoulder slope.
So grateful for this list.
Things to consider:
- Wrap and turns are not the only short rows (they suck tbh) and to me German Short Rows and Shadow Wrap are superior! You can always swap your favorite short row technique
- A staggered start technique is my favorite because it creates a more stable start to the neckline below the ribbing so you don't get a ribbing that will stretch out too much overtime do to the weight of the sweater. Also it allows you to adjust your cowl if you don't like it since you knit it after by picking up stitches.
Before beginning the video, I'm laughing to myself because just a few weeks ago, at the beginning of my first sweater journey, I was going "WHAT DOES SHORT ROW?" "How short row?!" I had to go talk to the owner of my local yarn store so she could explain their function to me 😅
lol...I totally get it. I remember having the same "I'm a caveperson and I don't understand burning fire" moment when I first encountered short rows. I just couldn't wrap my head around it. (there's a pun there somewhere) 😂
Also WHY is short row? At least for a sweater.
Also, I just want to say thank you for talking about how you modify patterns to suit your tastes, body, etc. Before watching you, it had never occurred to me that I could or should modify a pattern. And while there might be things I didn’t like about a pattern I used, I never had the confidence (or knowledge of how) to change it to better satisfy. So I REALLY appreciate your Frankensweater and your little black tee rambles, blogs, etc. They have not only given me the knowledge, but also the confidence to try changing things in a pattern.
Thank you Tayler for a wonderful informative episode. While I am a long time knitter I am also into a deeper dive of the whys, what’s and where’s. Honestly my first introduction to top down raglans were with the staggered start. Doing short rows instead seemed like an unnecessary complication. I still think it is after doing both. The only reason I can think of is if someone absolutely dreads picking up stitches for the collar. The advantages to picking up for the neckline far outweigh the downsides. 1. Neckline is more stable when stitches are picked up. 2. You can make adjustments more easily to the final fitting of the neckline by picking up fewer or more stitches at key points such as sleeves, front, back.. .say the back hangs just a little lower than what you like, pick up fewer stitches in the back and more in the front. 3. If you knit a whole sweater and the only thing you didn’t like about it is the collar, it’s easy to redo. I find the collar to be one of the areas I’m most likely to dislike about a sweater, I often end up reknitting it multiple times until I have it just right. Two of my favorite staggered patterns are Alicia Plummer’s Bibliophile 2 for DK and Marius Pullover by lauriane et charlie for fingering and sport. I’ve knit multiples of both of these in varying weights of yarn. For a closer fitting neckline I just start with a smaller size and make stitch count adjustments to where I want to end up for ease. I vary the depth of the yoke as well based on how I want to wear the sweater. I really appreciated your prior video discussing armhole depth as well. Thanks again! Patty
I laughed when I saw all of your diagrams in your notebook. I have a very similar looking notebook from when I was figuring out how to add shawl collar for my stonecrop cardigan. all of the math and knitting and ripping and reknitting and doodling paid off in the end.
Thank you, Taylor. Another deep dive down a rabbit hole. This sloth knitter is taking it all in.❤
I loved this podcast. THANK YOU! My entire family thanks you. I have cried over short rows. I have really struggled with short rows and never understood the “why.” The back and forth and tracking turning. Aaack.
Awesome class!!❤❤
This was perfect timing!! I just started questioning different short row methods. Why go longer? Why go shorter? I hadn’t started the deep dive yet…so I THANK YOU for the jump start!! Oh and this visual learner had an AH HA moment when you were talking about round yoke short rows and you held your hands up drawing them down in a V shape…lol It clicked!! Thanks again for your efforts!
Great video! Had to comment because I recently re knitted a sweater pattern that shaped the neckline using short rows and modified it to use the staggered method instead. The neckline before used to bother me because the front was too high, and now it sits perfectly! I decided that I will be modifying every sweater from now on like this. Its more work and takes calculations but its worth it!
Right now I’m adding short rows at the front hem of a sweater as an afterthought. Too often, I try on a finished sweater and find it is way shorter in the front on me, than in the back, leaving my not-so-flat tummy out there for the world to see. Something funny about the way I’m made. I’ve ended up gifting a couple of pieces that I’ve worked long and hard on, because the design didn’t allow any option for modification. But today, short rows to the rescue! Had to perform surgery on the sweater, because it is bottom- up construction. Wish me luck.
The pattern designer Ozetta is a genius when it comes to short rows. Especially on the Highland slipover.
Oooo good to know. I have yet to knit one of her patterns, but I have several in my favorites. ❤️
Thank you SO much Tayler for the amazing information and resources. Thank you for ALL your leg work AND for sharing it! ♥
Thank you for doing all the leg work and providing resources. It helps so much to know the logic behind why we do what.
You're very welcome Jessica! I am quite the 'I need to know why' person and I really found this whole research process VERY satisfying. Thank you for watching!
Hmm. How interesting. Thank you so much Taylor. As a 72-year old, sweaters were always knitted bottom up when I learned to knit and it was not an issue. It was a revelation when I came back to serious knitting a few years back to knit top-down sweaters. I had never realised the difference between raglan and yoke visavi neck shaping and not considered the shoulder slope (which is second nature to me when knitting bottom up).
Hooray! I shall certainly check out the resources you mention.
Love, Sally in Sweden xx
This is really interesting Sally because many folks I've spoken with who have a long history of knitting say the very same thing. Knitting things top down and seamlessly, though I know it isn't new, does seem to be outside of traditional methods. As for shoulder slope, this is a measurement that almost every sweater knitting book I have mentions and I always assumed it had to come into play in a more meaningful way at some point and how it impacts the neckline beyond the collar, essentially how things sit on the shoulders, is really interesting. ❤️
Wow! What a great episode! I so appreciate you helping us find (finding for us!) resources for learning. Please take us along with you as you dive down this rabbit hole. I don’t know if lots of us are looking into this or it’s just me, but I’ve knit so many sweaters and seldom love the results. I’m super excited to learn more from the resources you’ve provided. I’ve not joined any Patreon yet. Your FrankenKAL temps me, but I have too much on the needles right now. The Karen Templar series just might move me in that direction. Mainly, thank you for offering this on your non-Patreon account!
My pleasure Linda! And I will certainly bring y'all along with me as I learn more about this. Thank you for watching!
The Brick sweater by Clare Lee (free pattern!) on Ravelry uses a staggered start neckline. There is an increase at the first and last stitch of every row. It creates a nice neckline that's not too high, but not really a scoop neckline either. I havent quite figured out how to modify it to create different shapes in the neckline yet, but I'm looking forward to checking out the resources you listed! I really appreciate this video. I've been really interested in designing my own sweater, especially since youve been talking about all the sweater modifications and such. It actually sounds doable!
Hi. Coming from a background of dressmaking before knitting, my first thought was that short rows are like darts (or sewing two curved edges in a seam) in fabric, they allow for three dimensional changes within the body of the fabric, while the second method you touched on is more like cutting the shape of the edge of the fabric for an opening. Hand knitted fabric has different properties (more movement/stretch) than woven (or knitted fabric) so it pushes-and-pulls a bit more and in different directions. Even so, I suspect maybe short rows in the back will help with the curve of the back (like shoulder darts) and the shoulder slope (like a shoulder seam) but like you that the other method might be slightly better at controlling the shape of the neckline opening itself??????
Such great content! I think I originally learned the staggered step shaping....and I just recently braved short rows 😋. I love drop shoulder colorwork.... bottom up ( and take steeking into shaping sometimes cus cutting is easy 😉) . Anyways, I have finally dove into more top down knitting and ( actually following patterns instead of doing my own tried and true drop shoulders). This video was just what I needed. I love pattern/ designers inspiration, but at the end of the day, I just really enjoy creating my own sweater... and yarns for that matter😊. Your videos are so informative, thank you!
Thank you, thank you, thank you for demystifying short rows for me!!! So informative as always
I’m so glad this was helpful Pamela! Thank you for watching. ❤️
Thank you for all of these helpful resources! Your rambles are always so informative and I always tune in.
I feel like short rows have become the standard so you can knit a no seaming sweater even if the fit isn’t the best you could get.
I totally agree.
That was an excellent presentation on short rows and related resources. Thank you for all the time and effort you put into this topic and giving us a well presented summary of your thoughts, research and observations. I think you have one of the best overall knitting channels :)
Looking forward to the next one!
Sandra, thank you so much! This means a lot. I'm so glad that this was informative. ❤️
This is one for the "Good Timing!" files. I'm literally knitting the yoke of my second Flax sweater (aka my second sweater ever) as i watched this, and am doing the short row option of the pattern this time. Hopped ont UA-cam to get a bit of a primer and saw your video had popped up in my feed! Between your overview and Froginette I feel like I understand why I'm doing what I'm doing, and I have some more resources to dive into once I get a few more sweaters under my belt and decide to take a crack at customizing some more. Thanks!
Wow! I love this! I'm so tired of knitting sweaters that are not shaped properly and wanted to learn about short row shaping. This came at a great time. I love to learn and now you have me hooked! Thank you ✨
this is soooo helpful!! thank you for all the effort you put into creating this video! :)
Wonderful information. Thanks for sharing your references to other videos and blogs
Your video showed up in my UA-cam feed and so glad I clicked on it. Information dense and this comment section is a treasure trove!
I did german short rows on my socks a lot before starting my first sweater with short rows :) So I knew what they were, but oh boy, Magnolia bloom sweater description of the short rows killed me 😂 I had to go and watch some videos to understand why and where. Then I ended up with too much fabric on the back of my magnolia bloom.. I still love it, but I did a crop version and I think I could drop that shaping at all, or add just a few rows. Lessons learned on each garment ☝️
Ann Buss uses the staggered start in her book on top down sweaters. I happen to be working a raglan using that book right now. The fit is great.
Thank you for the resources!
My husband has been wanting me to knit him a sweater but I am stuck because he is so large across the back in the traps area. I know that if accommodation isn't made somehow then the sweater will hike up in the back badly (as do store bought sweaters). I'm assuming short rows are the answer but don't know how to accommodate that. I will definitely be checking these resources out to see if they help.
Once again, an excellent video. Your educational approach is so appreciated, Taylor. Thank you for your efforts in what you put out. I look forward to each new video to see what ‘gems’ you share!
For real I'm doing a pattern that's shaping with short rows after a yoke? Bizarre so I'm all ears 😂❤
I am currently trying to learn about short rows mostly for shoulder caps (with stitches picked up from the body). I taught myself top-down sweaters (because I can't read patterns for toffee) and have always used the staggered method - that came to me very intuitively and it's easy.
This is your best video yet!! Thank you.
Thank you so much for this awesome video!! Short rows are currently eating my brain as I am getting ready to knit my second raglan sweater (I am quite a beginner) and struggled with GSR's in my first one (I did not follow any patter, I sort of eyeballed it and it turned out fairly well but I did notice that the neckline was a bit square-ish for my liking (especially at the front, as I did not extend the short rows far enough).
I am very thankful for all the research you have done and that you shared the most useful resources, I will watch them all.
Hugs from Canada.
Thanks for this Taylor, such an interesting episode. I’ll be checking out your recommendations to investigate short rows in more depth.
My pleasure Janet! Thank you for watching. ❤️
Thank you for this inspirational teaching on short rows. You have definitely made the concept of short rows much clearer.
This is a great exploration of short rows Tayler. 30 years ago when I was learning knitting garments from patterns in Australia - Patons and Cleckheaton - these were all mainly knit in pieces either bottom up or top down and the way you describe the staggered start is how all the necklines were made. It’s a very traditional tailored approach that does have so much flexibility and can be made to fit everyone. In saying this I do love adding short rows as this provides extra options for shaping and making something even more customised to your shape. 💚
Thank you so much! Excellent! I dislike many sweater patterns because no neckline shaping and struggle adding my own short rows. As long as you are listening, cannot abide all the new boxy over-sized sweaters!
Lordy woman! So much wonderful information. Sadly I am old (76) and my brain isn’t registering all this good stuff. Thanks.
This was very helpful and informative. Thank you❤
I’m a new knitter and I’ve learned so much from your videos. I really enjoy your presentation and teaching style. I’m Also intrigued by the room you film in and would love to see a video where you provide a tour of your room! I am also intrigued by the tabletop that you work at! That covering is so beautiful. Crazy request perhaps, but that room is so cozy!
Thank you. As someone who has come to knitting (and sewing) out of frustration because of how hard it's been to get clothes that fit my proportion, and then continue to have fit issues with knitting patterns, I really appreciate the info and the videos you pointed out. I'm still a new knitter and I could figure out how to make my sleeves long enough, but the necklines have been frustrating
Excellent review TY !
Now i want to make a staggered start neckline sweater !
Know of any ?
Does Gladys ever talk back ? 😂
I just learned short rows to use them to square off a chevron (zig zag) edge to make a straight edge. Not the traditional use of them but did the trick!
Great job! Thanks.
What a great explanatory vid, Tayler. Perfect mix of “technical” and “layman’s” descriptions. Love how you used Gladys in this one. Will def check out the other new (to me) resources you have mentioned. 😊
I love how you shared all your sources here!
I have just started the Ramona Pullover by Elizabeth Smith Knits and it turns out to be a staggered start raglan. I chose the pattern because so many knitters on Ravelry commented on how well it fits! Love this discussion!
This! Great discussion and demo.
Remember that sweater that I made last year that looks so respectable that I can wear it out without people saying “gosh, I guess you made that!”?
It was begun with what I now, today, this minute realize is a staggered start. I had thought of it as a variation on short rows; as I remember, I cast on, knitted flat, cast on at each end, and knitted a beginning wedge to a top down raglan. It was a new concept, but made sense as I had vaguely wondered about that “choking” thing at the neckline.
It’s easier to do the dreaded “join in the round making sure not to twist the stitches” too!
I’m a student too, and will always be.
Thanks Tayler for this pure gold episode.
I do remember that sweater! And I can totally see how the staggered start neckline would contribute to that professional look. Very cool. And you're very welcome. Thank YOU for watching. ❤️
Fabulous! So interesting, so structured, so useful - you are doing a great job. Thank you!
So excited about this ramble! I’m in the process of improvising a top down raglan turtleneck and these resources are just perfect. Thank you!
TY so much for being you: an expert that still engages listeners as a LEARNER. I ❤how you share other's instructions (videos, books) where you're learning THEN breaking it down for your viewers. That process assuage my fears of starting big garments. If you know the ennegram, do you type as a 5 (the 🔎 investigator)? Anyway, keep teaching & inspiring
~love your black tee & excited to buy your pattern!
You are such a talented teacher! Thank you for sharing!
Yes! Thank you. 😊 Just what I need to get started on sweater knitting and fitting. My first raglan is on my needles now. Lots to learn. ❤
Fantastic-lots Ringo to dig into here. Thank you, love your rambles.
I basically taught myself how to knit. I have been knitting inconsistently for over 30 years. Unlike today, where people learn knitting thru social media, I learned through reading, along with picture samples of the techniques. I recall a single mention of “short rows” in one of my books, but had no idea what it was or its purpose. I was just wondering, how old is this technique? I knitted sweaters in the flat prior learning GSR, and since I am a leftie I had a difficult time understanding video tutorials. It took quite a bit of trial and error before I eventually undertood the technique. And, now, I use GSR every time I knit sweaters… Thanks for the informative video! ❤
I’m watching the video and thinking, “the sweater I’m knitting now solves that, it’s genius.” Well, it’s a staggered start neck. I am loving it. It’s called “Brick.” Got it on Ravelry. I enjoy your videos.
Just recd pattern Hollows by Mandarine’s. Thought it was straight knitting until I recd pattern. I will be paying attention. Pattern makes a beautiful Shaw. I ordered it from Ravelry.
Great video, packed with a lot of good information! Really helpful! If you don't mind I would like to share another great video I found about short rows. It's from "Mostly Knitting" called "Tutorial: Adding Short Rows to a sweater pattern that doesn't have them - Mostly Knitting Podcast".
This is a golden, index type of video, providing information for neck shaping! Highly appreciate the hard work put in that research! Thank you for sharing it!
My pleasure! Thank you for watching. Glad it was helpful Alek.❤️
Thank you for explaining the German short row. This is the best explanation I’ve found so far. Much appreciated! I follow patterns but never understood why I do this🤪😊 thanks again!
Oh my goodness I saw the title and 😂 yes pleased
Perfect timing, Tayler! I've gathered my yarn & am thinking thru the pattern ~ wow! Your episode really opened my eyes to understand the process 😀 thanks for inviting us along! Yay for great visuals & intros to further insight. Many thanks!
Well explained. Thanks, Taylor. I am also a lifelong learner and came to short rows for the back of a sweater only recently, though I have knitted for decades.
OMG!!! This is one of my pet peeves in knitting as well as GSR, and I am a leftie 😫… therefore, I avoid patterns with SR and GSR.
Okay. This blew my mind! The two recommended pods were perfect supplements to this conversation. Just so fun! Can’t wait to improvise a cardi. 🤓
Thank you for presenting such thorough research and explanations! I think I may be heading down this rabbit hole, too! This is a thoroughly unique presentation and I have not come across another post like this anywhere!!!!!
What a wonderful Ramble! A lot of information, and excellent exp0lanations.
Thank you for this video! I will definitely check out the links you provided. I was wondering why I kept getting bunching at the back of my neck on my hand knit sweaters (and also store bought clothes) and suspected it was the short rows. Thank you for verifying that. Now I need to learn how to modify that in future sweaters!
This topic was so timely for me. I'm improvising a hoodie for my son and added some problematic short rows. While I was adding the SR's, I also added increases along the raglan seams but that led to more stitches in the back than the front. Many people said to only add the SR's to the back section, not along the shoulders, but I feel like the shoulder area needs extra height too.
Also, I have only ever done short rows going from long to short! I didn't even know you could do short to long! 😮😮😮😮 Anyway, thanks Tay!
Thank you Taylor! Turns out I am a staggered start knitter! Never knew.......usually design my own sweaters as I can incorporate Amy Herzog’s waist shaping which I find flattering adding a few more increases to skim my hips which are wider than my breasts but still get a more body skimming fit and a split hem.
As always interesting topic. Love all your resources and approach to this subject. I had no idea of different approaches to short row shaping. Many thanks!
Wow, great information on this post, Tayler! Kinda gets the juices flowing to knit myself a sweater. I need to jump into the pool. Thanks for sharing!
Thank you Jennifer! I love helping folks get those juices flowing. Welcome to the rabbit hole! ❤️
Wow, this was amazing. So interesting!! Thank you ❤. Already enjoying the Frankensweater Kal, and now a new kal ! I’m in!
I'm working the luminous summer tee and it has long short rows in the front that lengthens the front, and gives greater room for larger busts. I'm on the fence about loving them, but I at least successfully worked short rows for the first time and am grateful for a new skill successfully completed.
I appreciate this video so that I can learn more about short rows.
Hi Taylor.
This is so wonderful.
I was thinking about short rows, as I am crocheting a jumper and is to high at the front.
But I don’t know if this concept can be used in crochet. 🤪
I think you have read my mind. 😁
I am very excited about learning this new technique.
Thank you for your fabulousness. ❤
Hx 🇬🇧💕
It’s interesting! Currently I’m knitting newest free pattern from The Knit Purl Girl and it includes short rows below colourwork yoke, but they’re „from shorter short rows to longer short rows”
Also, I love effect of short rows in sleeves in one of the sweater from My favorite things knitwear (I’ve tried only one).
Great vlog, THANK YOU for your research! Gonna try some new approaches for shaping 👌
I knit the lumme pullover by Sari Nordlund and it also has short rows under the colorwork yolk, which was new to me! I was surprised that it made such a difference to the shaping overall.
Wow! So much great info and you do such a concise job of explaining things.
This was truly a well done dive into short rows and thank you for sharing all the links.
Thank you so much! I'm so glad that it was helpful. ❤️
I am like you. I HAVE to know how things work and why they work the way they do.
Brilliant! I'm just asking the same questions myself as I'm knitting a contiguous design garment. I just discovered the tech editors channel but these other links are going to be so useful. Thank you!!
Thanks for all your research! I just added short rows to a top down and I think did it wrong. 😮
The Winter League pullover by two of wands uses the stagger start. I found it easier than the short row shaping and really enjoyed the process of knitting it better than the short rows.
Isn't it fun? It gives you a very satisfied feeling and looks really professional. ❤️
Very interesting! I didn’t know you could use short rows lower down! Thanks for another great resource video!
I guess I never gave that much thought either, but it makes sense. It does he same job essentially and that's so cool. Thank you for watching Kati!
What an awesome video. You are a phenomenal teacher (and that's coming from a teacher). Thank you!
She mentions every now and then that she used to work as a teacher herself. I love her style too!
Thank you for sharing your research - very helpful! Just knitting my first circular yoke sweater and was really wondering why the short rows were knitted „the wrong way“ 😄
This video speaks to me!! I was trying to make short rows for the top of a tab sock band…horrible knit experience. The German short row with the pulled double stitch was not clear or easy for me! There has got to be a better way than pulling that stitch!
This is SO helpful. I am a new knitter and starting two patterns this month with short rows! Thanks! 🧶
My pleasure Stephanie! Best of luck on your projects. Have fun! ❤️
Thanks so much for all your work in creating this overview of short rows. I have found the "staggered start" method to produce a better fitting raglan on me. I have done a few raglan sweaters with short rows, but the one I always go back to for fit is the Autumn League Pullover (Two of Wands). That pattern was the first raglan pattern I ever followed and still remains to be the best fitting one. Thanks to this video, I can begin to understand why that is!
Enjoyed this episode very much. I am working on getting my sweaters to fit better. Your information about short rows will be very helpful. I plan on watching the posts you recommended. Thank you.
This video is a keeper. Thanks!
Thank you Tayler you remember me at the end ❤ I know it’s only one name between the others but I’m so happy about 😊
Ah, Lenka it's my pleasure. And even though your name is one of others, you're a big deal to me. Thank you for your support. ❤️
Another great talk! Thanks so much!
And…another new knitter here-but not my first rodeo with tailoring, sewing, or fiber. So far-and I’m finishing up a cardigan that uses very LONG short rows to make dolman sleeves-is that short rows create vertical shaping, whereas increases and decreases create horizontal shaping of the fabric I am creating from….a line. And we go from there….
(Existential question: if string theory is about the building blocks of matter…is the universe knitted? 😅)
I'm knitting a sweater right now that has below the sleeve split short rows and I was so confused by it! I read a bunch of reviews and somebody mentioned it had a "sway back" fit - which makes sense from the way fabric is added! So I went with it because I have a bit of a sway back and it works really well for me in combo with neckline rows too
I love this podcast!!! You have found so many resources that I haven't found, and I have also looked for short row advice. Thanks so much for sharing all your discoveries.
OUTSTANDING!!! Thanks so much.
Love these video types! It's so insightful! Would love a similar one regarding bust darts and when you need them/different types etc!
The staggered start is similar to the short row top down in the way the rows grow forward like the short rows. Mods either way should be possible. Making my first top down short row raglan now. Helpful video-thanks!