German Short Rows Tutorial | Purl Soho

For an updated version of this tutorial, click here: • German Short Rows Tuto...
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[@lolafabulous7]

This was the best tutorial! I just cast on my first test knit and used this video to learn GSRs to ensure I knit the garment as the designer intended. I had no problems, no frogging! This was clear and simple and I will be sharing with anyone who wants to learn this technique. Thank you so much!

[@Serenity-fu8xz]

That’s exactly what I said this video is the best I’ve watched a couple others and they’re so confusing and they never get to the point and how frustrating but this video is perfect🧶❤️

[@patdota9420]

What a clear & concise explanation. Thank you for that!

[@airemay]

Thank you for using the word tug! It's such a good description of what you gotta do to pull up the legs of the stitch you just slipped.

[@PurlSoho]

We're glad you agree! Thanks for writing!

[@riveranalyse]

Great tutorial! I've never done this before and have seen so many notes by people struggling with German Short Rows that I felt intimidated and thought they must be super hard. You've made it look easy and I'll definitely not avoid patterns where they're included!

[@annwestren6507]

Yes the word ‘TUG’ is very important. Thank you. Ann

[@bbohe-alpacafeltartistry7779]

Thank you for your excellent demonstration and explanation of German short rows and how to adapt a Wrap and Turn pattern. It took a few attempts but I now understand and can complete my jumper. Yay!🤗🥰

[@thewoolcat]

Excellent ! The part showing to adapt from a w&t pattern is sooooo useful ! Thank you !!!

[@Bijan630]

I just started working on the hood for a toddler sweater which called for the wrap and turn technique. The seam at the top would have theme been done using the mattress stitch. As I'm working across my final row, going over all of the W&T's, I saw the holes. Then, after watching many videos for the German & Japanese Short Rows, I pulled out 42 rows of work. I've just completed one side of the hood after watching your demonstration and it's just beautiful! No holes, no visible, bulky strands of yarn on the wrong side of the work, just, smooth and oh so neat. Thank you so much!

[@PurlSoho]

How inspiring! Thank you for sharing!

[@christines1924]

Thank you, Laura! I've knit a pattern before that included GSR's in the instructions and LOVED THEM. But now I can adapt a pattern written with W&T to using German Short Rows (GSR :) )

[@redwingedfiber1066]

So clear, concise and helpful! Thank you so much!🎉

[@cicerony13039]

Great video. Not too fast, not excruciatingly slow. Clear audio, clear video.

[@missmaria165]

This was sooo helpful. I successfully knitted German short rows for the first time in a fingering weight yarn. I cannot even see them. I'm grateful. 😊

[@leisa1495]

Thank you for this tutorial! I am working on a sweater that calls for w&t. and I have never been successful with w&t, I always get little holes. I appreciate you explaining how to adapt the pattern by adding a stitch. Very helpful!!

[@cindychilds7324]

Thank you for this very clear tutorial! I’m going to frog a wrap and turn short row set-in sleeve knit with a thin yarn in a loose gauge and redo with German short rows. I just completed a practice swatch and am so happy with the superior result!

[@helencaudill1583]

Thank you for this very clear tutorial!!! I know I will use this many times as I learn to do this in patterns. Thank you so much. 🥰

[@emmynelson3943]

Thank you Jackie. I really like how these shorts rows are working on my wrap and much prefer it to wrap and turn.

[@karenlucia3222]

Thank you Laura for taking the time to make such a clear and comprehensible tutorial.

[@havuha56]

Great tutorial--short, sweet, clear as can be. Thanks for including the method of adapting to GSR from a regular wrap & turn. Just what I was looking for!

[@lolainma3218]

Thank you so much! I just ripped back and redid according to your perfect instructions. It came out beautifully ❤

[@scambugger]

Thank you! Your instructions are some of the only on flat knitting and were very helpful.

[@suetupper9162]

Omg!!!...yarn is other way for a half and half shawl...im so excited!...thank you!

[@karenarnott387]

Thank you, so much easier than w&t.

[@wangyingtu2559]

Great and clear tutorial! You made German Short Rows sounds less scary :)

[@janemcgann5305]

Thank you so much for helping me to adapt the W&T to German shirt row. I’m working on spin and ran into all kinds of problems picking up the wraps. I can’t wait to try this.

[@janemcgann5305]

I am working on double pointed needles . I apologize for my mistakes in texting. I’m just so excited!

[@annegiroud9592]

Beautifully explained ! Thank you very much !

[@metanoia1122]

Yeah. No more wrap and turn. I am going to apply this method to knit Purl Soho's Foxglove vest. Thank you.

[@annak3703]

This is so clear! The sweater looks great.

[@barnabusbites6190]

So clear and very easy to follow... you should definitely be a teacher. Great Job!!!

[@feeberizer]

I just downloaded a shawl pattern that has lots of short rows. Haven't done any in a long time so this will be perfect. Thank you for clear instructions!

[@PurlSoho]

Wahoo! Good luck!

[@clarinetgrint]

This is so helpful thank you xx

[@wilmamontgomery1596]

Excellent! Especially converting to a w & t method!

[@roseduke591]

Thank you so much, especially for the converting W&T to the German short row. Great demonstation.

[@chateauBoudreau]

I keep revisiting this exact video, it explains perfectly what I need to know. First used them in a cardigan collar last year and again right now. German short rows are my favourite short row. X

[@conniedunfield7601]

Thanks you were very clear and precise!

[@elisawulff570]

Thank you so much! I've never done German short rows before but now I know exactly what to do. 😊

[@Serenity-fu8xz]

Thank you so much that video was so well done so clear seriously thank you

[@hazelchan9258]

Very clear instruction! Thanks.

[@rachelmitchell2144]

This is so clear! Thank you!

[@joskemeeuwsen819]

Thanks for making this technique so easy! I really kinda stressed out when I saw I had to do short rows for my new project. Had never even heard from it before as I have only knitted a hat and a cardigan before. But I finished the short row part and it looks great! Thankyou!

[@PurlSoho]

That's great, Joske! Thanks for writing in and happy knitting!

[@jvallas]

I’m always confused about using GSR when W&T is called for. I should have figured out on my own what you made such a DUH moment for me. Knit. One. More. Stitch. Thanks! I happen to need it for the Purl Soho Bandana Cowl I’m working on. Karma, baby!

[@michellebabin7582]

Thank you very much it really well explained

[@claudiaguimaraes6328]

Thanks for the tutorial, you were my hero, I needed this for a pattern

[@julesmeans8174]

Excellent demo! Thank you ✨🧶✨

[@lindsaycompton425]

This is just what I needed. Thank you so much. This was so clear, easy to understand and see, and will be what I use moving forward. You guys are awesome!

[@PurlSoho]

Thank you, Lindsay! Happy Knitting!

[@wendykelcey1246]

Great help! Thank you!

[@daniellerouleau3372]

Thanks ❤I just discovered you

[@leighcraig1091]

Gah! Your so clear and concise. Thank You.

[@lynettewykes9923]

Excellent tutorial.

[@PurlSoho]

Thank you, Lynette!

[@hisalone7166]

Thank you for so many lovely tutorials! I truly appreciate it. Blessings, Beverly

[@corinneolson-mckean5577]

Thank you!!!

[@Devincoplan1982]

Wow so easy. Thank you for making this video.

[@bakana1650]

Knit 1:07 Purl 2:01

[@twinsyA]

My goodness! So glad I watched this. Thank you!

[@juttabaxter7760]

Great video, thank you for sharing.

[@tanjabrauer6391]

Life changing! Thank you!

[@PurlSoho]

Thanks Tanja! You're welcome!

[@rhyannonmackenzie8556]

Love Purl Soho!!!

[@lemonsass]

Great tutorial, thank you! Makes short rows seem much less intimidating. Also, may be a long shot, but any chance you could share which yarn you’re using in the tutorial? It looks so lovely and squishy!

[@PurlSoho]

Not a long shot at all! Laura is using our Cashmere Merino Bloom, in color Dove Gray, which is lovely and certainly squishy! Thanks for writing! www.purlsoho.com/cashmere-merino-bloom.html

[@lindanovak7232]

Excellent video

[@PurlSoho]

Thanks, Linda!

[@gilliantherese7202]

Thank you!

[@SofiaSanchez-io5xy]

This was very helpful. Mine look better on one side than the other, though. Im guessing it’s an issue with my tension? How much do I need to pull on the stitch to create the double stitch?

[@PurlSoho]

That does sound like uneven tension! I wouldn't recommend pulling very hard at all to create the double stitch. Tugging too much will actually end up making your tension even more inconsistent!

[@SofiaSanchez-io5xy]

@@PurlSoho Thanks for letting me know! I’ll try that.

[@stevefranpimblett8257]

2 in one day? It's after Easter, it MUST be Christmas! "I love my gift!"

[@miriambartley6622]

Best video

[@colleenpreston2810]

Thankyou your video is great. If I do German short row instead of Sunday short row would I do l stitch less like adapting the wrap and turn So if pattern says knit to 3 stitches where yarn is placed would I go to 2 stitches thank you

[@PurlSoho]

Hi Colleen - thanks for writing in! The Sunday Short Row is very similar to German Short Rows, only using scrap yarn or a stitch marker to hold the wrap. While some people use German Short Rows as a substitution for Wrap + Turn Short Rows (by adding one stitch), it may be best for you to stay within the Sunday Short Row instruction for your particular pattern, and not subtract a stitch from the 3 stitches in the pattern. Both techniques get the job done - but if you're specific pattern calls for one method, without seeing the pattern, it's difficult for us to confirm! We hope you understand and please let us know if you have any other questions!

[@catherinegiven5504]

In my balaclava pattern, I'd like to convert to GSR. It's 2x2 rib tube. So do I need to keep turning the tube inside out for alternating RS, WS rows? And if st I've knit/purled up to is K or P do I keep switching from Sl 1 K to Sl 1 P?

[@PurlSoho]

Hi Catherine! For German short rows in the round, you do not need to turn the tube inside out. Just flip the work so that the opposite side is facing you! In answer to your other question, if the stitch you're making a double stitch with is a knit stitch, then you'll follow the instructions for GSR on the knit side, and if that stitch is a purl stitch, you'll follow the instructions for GSR on the purl side (no matter if you're on the right or wrong side of the work). I hope this helps clarify things!

[@glazedtalons]

When you adapt the wrap and turn method to GSR , what if your only doing knit rows? I was told you don't actually have to wrap stitches when you're doing knit short rows. I get confused about when you should be purling.

[@PurlSoho]

Exactly! Sometime GSR aren't the best method, and if you're doing a stockinette tube (for example) a wrap and turn might be the easier and cleaner choice! Great question and thanks for writing!

[@chubblergrubbler8781]

Good vid

[@steviesmith5161]

does the first slipped stitch in each row count as a worked stitch? my pattern says to turn and then purl 68 sts and not sure if that slipped stitch counts as stitch number one

[@PurlSoho]

Good question! The stitch that you slip as part of creating the double stitch does not count as a normal stitch. It counts as creating the double stitch! So for your pattern, once you finish creating the double stitch, you should purl the full 68 stitches.

[@steviesmith5161]

@@PurlSoho thank you for the quick response! awesome video btw!

[@leighannebright5723]

Question please: I’m starting a pattern that says use short rows, no other details. The instructions just say turn, not wrap and turn or W&T. So do I slip that stitch or is a W&T implied? Thanks!

[@PurlSoho]

Hi Leigh Anne! Unfortunately, I'm not sure what this pattern is implying without seeing it. Would you be able to send along a copy to [e-mail], so that we can take a look?

[@michelleann4259]

I have a question. If it says to knit to 5 stitches before first "wrap and turn" would I actually add a stitch and make it 6 stitches before?

[@PurlSoho]

HI Michelle! Great question - without seeing the pattern I can't be 100% certain, but normally you'll want to add one stitch - so technically, if the pattern instructs you to knit to 5 stitches before the Wrap + Turn, you should do that, and then knit one more stitch. So it would seem (possibly in this case) you would knit to 4 stitches before the placement of your first Wrap + Turn, then knit the fifth stitch past where the Wrap + Turn should be, to sub in the German Short Row. I'd recommended doing a test swatch to see how the results will line up in your pattern - or adding a life line to make it easy to go back and try again! Best of luck!

[@laurenn1377]

My pattern says k36 and then w&t a knitting group said I should try German short row instead but if I knit up to 36 stitches then try and do the German short row won’t I just keep repeating the same stitch over and over?

[@PurlSoho]

If your substituting German Short Rows for a Wrap + Turn section of a pattern, you'll knit one more stitch past the 36 called for in your pattern, perform the technique, and turn. You wouldn't keep 'repeating the same stitch' unless your pattern specifies that you are working the same repeat in the same section, over multiple rows. Without seeing your pattern we can' the sure - but we're happy to help! Does that make sense? Let us know if you have more questions!

[@megegert861]

My pattern (actually your pattern) for the triangle wrap shawl says to knit to last stitch of the row and wrap and turn. If I want to use the German short row technique how is that done?

[@PurlSoho]

For the purpose of the Half + Half Wrap, since it's knit entirely in garter, we would recommend sticking with the Short Row Wrap + Turn technique, as the wraps hide beautifully within the garter fabric. If you wanted to try the German Short Row method, that could be accomplished by using the last stitch as the turning point, as instructed in this video. Both would work - but we think the Short Row technique is just perfect for that project!

[@jodiekingsley5181]

New to short row knitting what is the easy way to begin.

[@PurlSoho]

We recommend starting with a swatch with any new technique, to get acquainted with the technique. If this is your first time working with short rows, we would recommend starting with the Wrap + Turn technique. Our tutorial for that can be viewed here: www.purlsoho.com/create/short-rows-wrap-turn/ Thanks for writing and happy knitting!

[@judyhayes7378]

Would you show how to do German short rows in the round?

[@PurlSoho]

Hi Judy - thanks for writing! The technique shown in this tutorial works the same for knitting flat and in the round! You'll knit through those 'double stitches' the same as you come across them, but more commonly you'll be knitting them on the right side of your knitting if working stockinette in the round. Let us know if you have any other questions! Thanks!

[@peggystorrie8693]

If the pattern states knit to three stitches before the marker are you saying knit 4 stitches before the marker ?

[@PurlSoho]

Hi Peggy, if the pattern you are using utilizes the Wrap + Turn technique, and you're substituting the German Short Row method, you would instead knit to 2 stitches before the marker. Try it out on a swatch to practice and happy knitting!

[@peggystorrie8693]

@@PurlSoho yes I am left handed knitter I finally learned how to knit GSR so I was so excited to see this tutorial. thank you I will try on a swatch.

[@PurlSoho]

@@peggystorrie8693 Good luck!

[@Hollis_has_questions]

This would help more if you let me see what the stitch looks like AFTER I follow your instructions.

[@PurlSoho]

Thank you for the feedback and we will work to make our tutorials more helpful in the future!

[@Hollis_has_questions]

@@PurlSoho I appreciate your openness to helpful criticism.

[@ginnaricci4547]

What about for Continental knitters. ???

[@PurlSoho]

HI Gina! Great question! Whether knitting English or Continental, the technique is the same. The only thing that will appear different is from what direction your working yarn is coming. When Laura indicates the working yarn is held in front or in back, just take a note of how you normally bring the yarn to the front or back when knitting Continental. Let us know if need any more help - and happy knitting!

[@ginnaricci4547]

@@PurlSoho Thank you very much !!!

[@benice3268]

1:55

[@benice3268]

2:59

[@benice3268]

0:56

[@forgetmenot9969]

❤❤❤

[@thesparrow3902]

For the purl shorts rows, she skips a step. She moves a stitch and the yarn to the right needle, then says to pull up that yarn, and continue knitting to the left. But, in the next step after that, she is STILL KNITTING TO THE LEFT TO GET TO THAT SPECIAL STITCH -- but that stitch is on the right. She skipped a step. She never showed turning her work.

[@PurlSoho]

Hello! For creating the double stitch on the wrong side, you can skip to about 2:03 in the video to view Laura turning the work. Now with the right side facing forwards, she slips the first stitch on her left needle over to her right needle and pulls up the yarn to create the double stitch. I hope this helps clarify things!

[@jwweiser8870]

#MMMCRAFTS

[@user-qs4er5vo2v]

I don't understand😭😭😭

[@PurlSoho]

How can we help?

[@user-qs4er5vo2v]

@@PurlSoho i viewed your video several times and i finally could made cloth. it is totally thank to you :) without your support, i couldnt made this and felt satisfaction today.

[@PurlSoho]

@@user-qs4er5vo2v Wonderful! Happy knitting!

[@annwestren6507]

Please release a video ‘Brioche, Release Purl Eyelet’. Your videos are clear and easily copied. Ann Westren

[@PurlSoho]

Hi Ann! Thank you for the suggestion, I'll pass along your interest in seeing a tutorial on this technique to our design team.

[@ruthking6992]

Helical knitting

[@bakana1650]

0:53 p