Knit Talk - Ep 43 - My Best Practices for Neckline Edge Short Rows

[@carolr4871]

You have my deepest sympathy regarding Peaches. I find myself tearing up right along with you. My best boy, Darwin, passed away 2 years ago, and he was also 16 years old.

[@carolr4871]

Your math makes perfect sense to me. Now I need to see if you have a video on short-row neck shaping for raglan sweaters. I really appreciate how much time and expertise goes into your tutorials.

[@mendezcher]

I’m so sorry about Peaches! You were blessed to have her for 16 years! Thank you for these incredibly concise and beautifully explained process! I’d love to see more Kenya clips! A safari has always been a dream of mine!

[@noelleparris9451]

Beautiful footage from your trip.

[@jodybrostrom6104]

Thank you, thank you, for this tutorial! I have been looking for this topic for a few years, as I wanted to know the math to add neckline short rows for patterns that didn't have them. This is exactly what I wanted!

[@christenecooper4115]

I’d be very interested in learning more about short rows to the bottom of the yoke, before splitting for sleeves. ❤

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Awesome - I'll add it to the list. Thanks so much for the feedback!

[@SylviasStuff]

Thank you! I read a bunch of blog posts and other stuff about how to do this and I just wasn't getting it. But your video and super clear explanations mean that I feel ready to add short rows to a sweater I'm about to (re-)cast on!!

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

You're welcome! Happy re-casting on!

[@juneknitsville9549]

Outstanding explanations with nice details and graphics. Thank you so much. I appreciate you.

[@BrianaArlene]

I'm so sorry for your loss of Peaches! Losing a pet is so very hard. Glad you were blessed with so many years with her, and sending you comfort as you grieve!

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thank you so much. ❤

[@Cstarsmoon]

Peaches ❤❤ 😢. Our sweet dog stepped over many years ago but still miss him .

[@valgill2474]

Meghan, my heart goes out to you, your husband and your other babies. And never apologies for being emotional about them. I too was away when one of my fur babies passed away. I was on a 6 month deployment with the Canadian Military when Mandy passed on. The most difficult part of all of that was her "sister" had passed on just before I left for the 6 months. Peaches was a very fortunate dog to have someone so caring be her Mom. As always great episode.

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thanks so much, Val, for all of your kind words.

[@marilynbarnett5807]

You make topics in your videos so easy to understand and easy to follow. I always have problems fitting sweaters because the back always wants to ride down my back. Do I need to put in more short rows ? I always follow the pattern instructions but the garment never fits proper. Thank you

[@Cedardale_craft]

I've only just found your channel and love it. It would be great if you could do a video about short rows at the bottom of the yoke. Could you also do one about adding short rows to adjust for a larger bust? PS sorry about your dog

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Welcome! So happy to have you here! I'll be doing a video on short rows at the bottom of the yoke in two weeks (March 13th) - yay! And I've done one on short rows for bust shaping... let me grab the link: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gavSloeHfJZke9Esi=DFqHAeJEfTBqM89I. I hope this helps - and thanks so much for being here!

[@Mollydogdesigns]

Sounds like Peaches scored such a loving home with youwhile she was on the planet. I can say with certainty that Peaches is with you in Spirit ❤️🐾😔❤️🐾

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thank you so much - that means so much. 💗💗💗

[@orysiar]

Megan, I am sorry about the passing of Peaches. I am sure that my cats are already showing her around and pointing out the places that get the best sunbeams to enjoy some naps. Thanks for a lovely episode and know that you brought as much joy to Peaches as she did to you both.

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thank you so much. I love the idea that your kiddos are up there with her. She loved the sun so I'm sure they're all having a great time. 💞

[@deniseengel1451]

Megan I’m so sorry to hear about Peaches. I understand why you were emotional so no need to apologize. Thanks for explaining the short rows.

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thank you Denise - I appreciate that. And you're most welcome! Thanks for tuning in again this week! ❤

[@liesesadler5295]

Hello, thank you for the very clear schematics but I didn’t hear in your talk why you prefer the 60/80%. In other words why do you find that range gives a better fit over another percentage range? How do we look at the wearer’s body to make that decision?

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

I think it largely has to do with how flat your shoulders are. I have fairly sloped shoulders so wrapping the short rows further around my neckline just feels more comfortable for me. If you have flatter shoulders you can likely do shorter short rows (if that makes sense?). Work from 30% to 60% instead of my preferred 60-80%. Does that help?

[@jilliankonig2759]

I'm so sorry about the loss of your sweet dog Peaches. Dogs give us so much unconditional acceptance and companionship. Now for a technical question - Can putting extra length below your shoulder blades really be effective in making the back have length where it is needed?

[@karenbergstrand2772]

Thank you so much for this -- it's very helpful. And I'm so sorry to hear about Peaches -- she was so sweet. The trip sounds amazing -- thank you for sharing the photos.

[@christineberl4173]

Pls do short rows at yoke bottom

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

It's coming next week! :)

[@teresal2159]

Very sorry to hear about your dog, Peaches. I can tell that she had a very good life and was much loved. I have a dog named Peaches, also. I love her to pieces. Regarding your uptick of viewers, another vodcast mentioned your site as a great resource--that's how I found you and subscribed. So glad to be here!

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Awww - another Peaches? Lucky you. I'm sure she's got an awesome life with you!! And thank you for your kind words. I reached out to Taylor to thank her; it was very kind of her to mention this podcast.

[@Lexykassan]

So very sorry to hear about Peaches! 🌈

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thank you, Lexy. ❤️

[@graceandpurls]

Hi Megan, so sorry to hear about Peaches, she seems like such a sweet and loving dog! I know Tayler from the Wool Needles Hands podcast shouted you out on her recent neckline video, but I am sure other podcasters have shouted you out, as you are fabulous! I have grown so much in my knitting confidence from your videos!

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thank you so much for your condolences. ❤ She was the best! I sent an email to Taylor thanking her - it was very kind of her to share about my video. And I'm so happy to hear that you're learning things to help you here. That truly makes my day!!

[@marthaterhune2156]

Yes @woolneedleshands suggested your shtirt row videos a few weeks ago

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thanks so much for letting me know!

[@hannahsida7515]

Hi Megan. Thank you for this tutorial and the clear illustrations. I have spent quite a lot of time thinking about short rows and imagining the shaping visually so I watched your videos with great interest and I think I understand it much better now. I do have a question for you though, which relates to what happens next. I have been in search of how to knit the perfect top down vest. I knit them using a cotton yarn so they act as a lightweight tank top and so far I have ended up using the method you describe the Faded T using . It works well and I pick up stitches both round the neckline and the arms and knit a band of garter stitch. However I keep wondering if I could knit the neckline instead merely using short rows as the neckline is a wider boatneck rather than a scoop. I just can’t quite understand if then the garment becomes a circular yoke and I want to be able to separate front and back to knit flat down to the bottom of the armholes and then join in the round for the lower part of the vest. I hope my explanation makes sense! My incentive to use short rows to shape the front neckline rather than than a just the back of the neck is so as to avoid picking up stitches and have a neater neckline but I can’t quite visualise whether the armholes work. I want the vest straps to be quite wide at the top say three inches. Any advice much appreciated, thank you, Hannah

[@JessicaClarke-o8f]

Thank you so much for such an informative video. So sorry about Peaches. I’m curious how to work the short rows if the raglan has cables in it and if there is a stitch pattern (like a seed stitch or double seed stitch) instead of the stockinette?

[@EvieO1950]

So jealous of your Kenya safari!! Sorry to hear about sweet Peaches. 🌈. Good info on short rows, something I’m still working on learning. Thanks for this useful content. I would definitely be interested in how to do it at the bottom of the yoke.

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thanks, Evelyn! Sounds like a few folks are interested in the bottom of yoke short rows so we'll tackle that in a future video!

[@MrsHatlarge]

This video has been so incredibly helpful in understanding construction before I start my first sweater. Now I have a specific question. If I need 10 short rows on my 100 stitch neckline, that comes out to 2.5 stitches. If I round up to 3, then by the time I get to the 10th row, I'm now up to 84%. Would it be a mistake to alternate my rounding: 3 past on rows 3&4, then 2 past on rows 5&6, then 3 again on rows 7&8, then 2 again on rows 9&10? Or is the 84% still in the acceptable range? Basically, which is the better alternative to perfection?

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

I’m so glad it’s been helpful! I like the way you’re thinking but would avoid the complication of alternating every other round. I think if it were me, I’d work 2 past on short rows 3, 4, 5 and 6 and then 3 past on short rows 7, 8, 9 and 10. It’s a marginal difference but just a little easier to remember.

[@r.mcd2921]

I'm so very sorry about Peaches. It's never easy, and they each leave a dog shape hole in one's heart. Our pets have always been our children and family too. Shower your other dogs with extra kisses.

[@marybrandau6654]

Wonderful explanation of top down sr placement. Many of the yokes sweaters have the BOR at the back shoulder. Any comments on how to place the sr when this occurs?

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Great question - and the answer isn't super cut and dry. If you have a raglan style sweater where you've got markers placed at each raglan column, you can figure out where your side seam or center back would be based on the markers. You would need to adjust short row 1 to account for that variance relative to your stitch marker. If it's a circular yoke and you're just approximating the sleeve/center back location, it's less exact. I'll try to mock something up over the next couple of weeks to help you see how it would work. Thanks for watching!

[@LottaSocks]

Sorry about Peaches, I’m positive my cat Barley will point out the best lounging sun-spots, snuggling all the while. Thank you for this Short Row shaping guideline. I have somewhat visualized on paper what to do, but the actual numbers (or percentages) made this crystal clear. Saved & will add to my Toolbox! My go-to back neck shaping (top down) is worked back & forth, essentially adding back neck height (refer:Barbara Walker’s Knitting from the Top book)! Question: I’ve seen some patterns w back neck short row shaping on a V-neck pullover and/or cardigan. Is that really necessary? If round/crew neck, yes (to lower the front). But on a v-neck? Thanks for adding to my math-ing & (over) analysis…read this as Playing! Love this!

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Thank you - it sounds like Peaches will have lots of sun-bathing companions. 💖 As for short rows on V-neck and cardigans: that's a bit of a personal preference. I think it helps add some slope to the shoulders for an anatomical fit (since most folks don't have flat shoulders) but I think they're more forgiving in terms of fit if you don't want to include them. I had planned to do a video about shoulder shaping on those types of garments so I'll be sure to include my thoughts on this! Thanks for watching and happy math-playing!

[@LasReina]

Hello! Thank you for your very clear explanation, may I ask if you add more short rows within the same % or if you use a higher range of % what with be the difference in the outcome? I don't know if I was clear in my question 😅

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

I think I understand the question - no problem! The percentage is based on the difference between our starting and ending points. If you start at 60% (to use my example) and work MORE than 6 short rows at a 5% rate of shaping, your ending point will be beyond the target of 80%. If you want to work more short rows, you'll have to make a smaller rate of shaping - i.e.: less than 5% - to make sure you still end at 80%. I don't know if I was clear enough in my example this week but coming next week I've got a video that will have more clarification on this and how to figure out your rate of shaping for the desired number of short rows!

[@karenalbery2773]

Giggle i am watching with the auto generated captions on since everyone in my house is sleeping....every time you say yoke the captions its spelled yolk. Lol anyway good info. Thank you! Sorry for your family's loss.

[@TheUnapologeticKnitter]

Hee hee - yeah. I generally try to correct that since I know the auto-generated ones aren't using quite the right spelling. It was a matter of timing as of late. But I will try to get back around to it to correct them. But at least it brought you a giggle!