The Shadow Wrap method of making short rows uses invisible lifted increases worked at the turning points, rather than wraps or pulled double stitches, to add shaping and dimension to knitted fabric.

This method was invented by Alice Yu, whose work you can find here.


Written Steps

To create the short row turns

On RS rows:

1. Work to the turning point indicated in your pattern, then locate the right leg of the stitch below the next stitch on your left needle. Lift this leg onto your left needle and knit it, then transfer this new stitch back to the left needle, creating a “twin stitch” at your turning point.

(Note that the “twin” is not counted as a separate stitch, since it will be decreased back out when resolving the short rows.)

2. Turn your work to the WS and prepare to work back in the opposite direction.

On WS rows:

1. Work to the turning point indicated in your pattern, then slip the next stitch on the left needle purlwise from the left to the right needle, keeping the yarn in front.

2. Lift the left leg of the stitch in the row below the slipped stitch onto the left needle and purl it.

3. Slip the lifted stitch and the slipped stitch back to the left needle, creating a twin stitch at the turning point.

4. Turn your work and prepare to work back, pulling your yarn snug after working the first stitch after the turn.

 

To resolve the short row turns

On RS rows:

1. Work until you encounter a twin stitch, then knit the two loops (the lifted stitch and the original stitch) together.

2. Work to the next twin stitch, and again work it as a K2tog.

On WS rows:

1. Purl until you reach a twin stitch, then purl the two loops (the lifted stitch and the original stitch) together.

2. Work to the next twin stitch, and again work it as a P2tog.

 

To substitute this method for Wrap & Turn short rows, work to the point where the instructions tell you to wrap & turn, and work the lifted increase and turn instead.

To substitute this method for German Short Rows, work to one stitch less than the instructions indicate before working the lifted increase and turn.

 

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