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What are German Short Rows?
German Short Rows are a way to add height to part of your knitting without adding it everywhere — the shaping behind short-row sock heels, a raised back neck on a top-down sweater, and sloped shoulders.
Another method, "wrap and turn" (W&T), avoids the hole at a mid-row turn by wrapping the yarn around a stitch. German Short Rows do it differently: instead of wrapping the yarn around a stitch, you knit to the turning point, turn your work, and slip the first stitch while pulling the yarn tightly to the back. This action pulls the stitch up over the needle, turning it into a double stitch. When you work over this double stitch on a later row, you knit (or purl) both loops together as a single stitch, which closes the gap the turn would otherwise leave.
See how it's done (video)
Sometimes it's easier to see the technique in action. Here is a video showing German Short Rows step-by-step for both the right side (RS) and wrong side (WS):
Step-by-step instructions
Here is how to make the turn on the right side (RS) and wrong side (WS) of your work.
- 01
Turning on the right side (RS)
- Knit to the turning point. Turn your work.
- Slip the first stitch purlwise to the right needle with the yarn in front of the work.
- Pull the yarn tightly over the needle to the back. You will see both legs of the stitch below pulled up onto the needle – this is your double stitch. Make sure to pull it tight! Keep the yarn in back to purl the next stitch (or continue according to your pattern).
Pulling the yarn firmly backwards pulls the stitch legs up over the needle, creating a distinct double stitch. - 02
Turning on the wrong side (WS)
- Purl to the turning point. Turn your work.
- With the yarn in front of the needle (toward you), slip the first stitch purlwise.
- Pull the yarn tightly over the needle to the back, pulling the purl bumps up to create the double stitch. Bring the yarn back to the front between the needles if you need to purl the next stitch, or leave it in the back if you are knitting.
When you encounter a double stitch on subsequent rows, treat it as a single stitch. Insert your needle under both legs of the double stitch at the same time and knit (or purl) them together as one. Tighten the yarn slightly on the next stitch to close the transition.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I replace 'wrap and turn' (W&T) with German Short Rows?
Usually, yes. Where a pattern tells you to W&T, turn at that point and make a double stitch as described here instead of wrapping. We'd try it on a swatch first, to check that the turns land where the pattern wants them.
Why do I sometimes get holes even with this technique?
In our experience the usual cause is not pulling the double stitch tight enough over the needle. Also tighten the yarn when you knit the next stitch.