Shadow Wrap Short Rows

The Shadow Wrap Short Row method, developed by Alice Yu of the Socktopus blog uses one of my favourite increases—the raised increase, sometimes called lifted increase. One of the reasons the raised increase is my favourite is because it’s the most invisible and that’s also why it lends itself so nicely to this short row technique.

This method of short rows involves making twin stitches (TS) at the turning point. No actual wrap occurs. The increase used to create twin stitches does not change the stitch count; both strands of a twin stitch are counted as one stitch.

Later, when it’s time to work into the twin stitch, work both strands together as one stitch.

How To

Make Twin Stitch on Right Side Rows

Work to turning point, then work right raised increase as follows:

Identify the stitch one row below next stitch on left needle and insert right needle into right side of that stitch, moving from right to left.

Lift that stitch up onto left needle without twisting it and remove right needle from stitch. Usually I keep my thumbnail/fingernail between the raised stitch and the next stitch because the raised one tends to sit on top of the other stitch.

Knit into raised stitch.

Transfer new stitch to left needle. Note the two stitches sitting very close together and coming out of the same stitch from the row below. One “twin stitch” created.
Turn work to wrong side.

Make Twin Stitch on Wrong Side Rows

Work to turning point.

Slip one stitch purlwise.

Work left raised increase purlwise as follows:

Insert left needle from bottom up, into purl bump at base of last st on right needle.

With right needle, purl into raised stitch.

Transfer new stitch and slipped stitch to left needle. One “twin stitch” created.

Turn work to wrong side.

Resolving the Twin Stitch

It’s very easy to see twin stitches.

When it’s time to work into them, simply knit or purl all strands together as one stitch and they disappear into the shadows.

Short Row Toes and Heels

In the case of short row toes and heels, a shadow wrap needs to be worked into a twin stitch, creating a “triplet stitch.” Both use the same TS abbreviation.

Make Triplet Stitch on Right Side Rows

Work to turning point, then work right-leaning raised increase as follows:

Identify the stitch one row below next stitch on left needle and insert right needle into right side of that stitch, moving from right to left.

Lift that stitch up onto left needle without twisting it and remove right needle from stitch. Usually I keep my thumbnail/fingernail between the raised stitch and the next stitch because the raised one tends to sit on top of the other stitch.

Knit into raised stitch.

Transfer new stitch to left needle. Note the three stitches sitting very close together and coming out of the same stitch from the row below. One “triplet stitch” created.

Turn work to wrong side.

Make Triplet Stitch on Wrong Side Rows

Work to turning point.

Slip twin stitch (both strands) purlwise.

Work left raised increase purlwise as follows:

Insert left needle from bottom up, into purl bump at base of last st on right needle.

With right needle, purl into raised stitch.

Transfer new stitch and slipped twin stitch (both strands) to left needle. Note the three stitches sitting very close together and coming out of the same stitch from the row below. One “triplet stitch” created.

Turn work to wrong side.

Completed short row “toe” using Shadow Wrap Short Rows.

Shadow Wrap Short Row toe from the wrong side.

Substituting for Other Short Row Methods

The Shadow Wrap Short Row method will substitute cleanly without additional modifications for the wrap and turn, Japanese, and yarnover methods. When using Shadow Wrap Short Rows instead of German short rows, work one fewer stitches before the turn.

 

Now that you know how to do Shadow Wrap Short Rows, I bet you need a pattern that uses it! Grab my Over Easy Socks or Counterpane Socks pattern.

Both offer unique sock constructions and incorporate short row toes and/or heels.