Short Rows are Great!

For some reason, beginner/intermediate knitters are scared of short rows. All that wrapping and turning, it just makes them nervous. Are you one of those people? With this post (and my article in Holla Knits Warm Weather Accessories) I hope to change your mind!

There are so, so many awesome projects that utilize short rows. If you don't believe me, scroll through the Ravelry search here for short row patterns! I mean really, how cool are all those shapes and curves and color blocks and stripes.

Here are two of mine:

Short row tutorial posts are plentiful on these here Internets, so I'm linking to a good one to get you familiar with the mechanics.

Once you've got the basics down (and really, it's not that hard!), it's time to get creative. In my article, I demonstrate how to turn a 4-sided geometric shape into a knitted piece.

A shape to knit

Maths! 

Victory!

These shapes can then be linked together to form a scarf, a blanket, a shawl, pillowcase, sweater, poncho, stuffed animal... the possibilities are endless. Short rows open up a new world of multi-dimensional knitting and designing. You are no longer limited to a rectangle!

If you haven't tried knitting short rows before, I hope you'll give them a try. Go forth and create!

_______

The Holla Knits blog tour continues...

May 18: Holla Knits Warm Weather Accessories Issue LaunchMay 19: The Sweatshop of Love / Knitted Bliss – kit giveaway, issue giveaway
May 20: Ruby Submarine – fringe tutorial
May 21: Handmade by Stefanie – pattern and yarn giveaway

May 26: Doog Knits – kit giveaway
May 28: Canary Knits – issue giveaway
May 29: Laura Reinbach – pattern giveaway

June 1: Gynx Yarns Podcast – pattern and yarn giveaway
June 2: Ruby Submarine – issue giveaway
June 4: Rock and Purl – giveaway

June 8: Handmade by Stefanie – Take 5
June 9: Hands Occupied – issue giveaway

Octo Shawl all purty and finished

The colors, they are strange.

It's no secret at this point that I am a big fan of all things Grellow (grey + yellow). This color combination was what inspired my Kitefish Shawlette, and as soon as I designed the Octo Shawl I knew I'd make a grellow version at some point. 

With my grellow Malabrigo Lace in hand, and the addition of a purpley deep mauve, I got started on this version for the Octo Shawl KAL last fall. Deviating a little from the stripes in the pattern turned out to be very fun (whew!) and I adore how it turned out.

Blocking this shawl is really satisfying. Is it weird that blocking is my favorite part of the process?

Eight pins, that's it!

Kitefish Shawlette

While visiting the Aquarium of the Pacific this spring, I was overloaded with inspirations for new projects. The colors of the water, plants, and sea life were just too much for my little brain to handle. I eventually came up with...

This pattern was inspired by a fish (I know, you are simply stunned!) named Monodactylus argenteus. I wanted to name the pattern after the fish, but it doesn't exactly roll off the tongue, so I chose one of the common names -- kitefish. With its silvery gray body and vividly bright yellow dorsal fin, it translated nicely into an abstract shawlette pattern using short row shaping.

I have been a little obsessed with the "grellow" combo for a while. I am not the only one. The amazing, hand-dyed Baah! La Jolla yarn was the perfect choice, the colors so closely mirrored the kitefish's coloring I couldn't have dreamed up superior shades. Mira of Baah! was very excited to see what I came up with using her gorgeous yarn.

Since the pattern's debut at the Knit Culture booth at Vogue Knitting Live Los Angeles, I have made another version with another set of bright, tropical colors, using Sanguine Gryphon's Bugga! which is heavenly (colors-- Sea Urchin, Adonis Butterfly and Starry Night Cracker). Ooh la la.


If you'd like to make one for yourself, join the Ravelry Knit-A-Long here!

You can also purchase a kit which includes the pattern and the Baah! La Jolla gray/yellow yarn here.

Kitefish Shawlette Knitting Pattern PDF - $6

Intermediate level (must be comfortable with short rows)

Materials needed

Yarn: Fingering or Sport weight. Approx. 250 yards MC and 175 yards CC

Needles: Size 4 32" (or longer) circular. I used Size 5s for the Bugga! version.

One locking stitch marker and one ring stitch marker

Row counter

Crochet hook

Tapestry needle