I am struggling with the short rows on the Drops pattern called Come Here, knitting in the round.
I have tried the German short rows and I understand them up to a point.
I did the first RS stitches (27), turned, worked the WS stitches (59), turned. The pattern then says continue back and forth over 5 sts more on every turn until 75 sts are worked, turn and work back to beg of round = mid back. I find this last instruction very confusing. Is there another way it could be worded? Also, is the BOR marker the mid back, or, do I need to place another marker for mid-back.
It looks like you’re working from the corrected version of the pattern which is good. Like GG, I find it easier to mark each of the double stitches that you form when you work German short rows. Then it’s easier to count 5sts more for the next turn. The pattern is a bit awkward in that you end on a purl row but you could turn once you get to the beginning of round and work a short row turn to get back to the RS knit row.
The beginning of round marker that you already have is the mid-back so no need to place a new marker.
There may be another error in the pattern as I do not think you reach 75 sts
RS 27 turn
WS(27+27+5) 59 turn
RS(59+5) 64
WS(64+5) 69
RS(69+5) 74
And it also results in one side of the neck being worked more than the other when the should be equal.
Forgive me if I am adding to the confusion but it seems wrong.
That’s correct, the number should be 74 but it’s close. For me the problem is that the short rows should end with a purl row followed by a turn and then knit to the beginning of the round, rather than the K74 and turn.
If you knit to the beginning of the round you’re in position to then continue knitting the following rounds. And you will have worked short rows in pairs, a knit row and turn, a purl row and turn.
If you K74 then turn you are purling to the beginning of the round and you need to add in a turn to the RS knit row.
Above I suggested knit to the beg of round then turn but it’s probably better to knit 74, don’t work the turn and just continue knitting around. Place the markers on this round.
There are questions about this below the pattern in comments but it’s not adequately answered as far as I can tell.
1 Like
Yes that’s what I meant, it’s ending on RS rather than WS so the two sides are not worked evenly.
I think if it was me I would work to 69 sts on the WS then turn and knit back to the centre/BOR marker and stop there. Both sides would be even and then I’d be ready to work the next round where markers are placed for the raglan.
It’s essentially knitting the same amount you said salmonmac but by stopping a little earlier there is a chance to feel one section of the instruction is completed and focus fully on the next instruction regarding stockinette and placing markers. (Otherwise stitch 25 is passed during the work 74/75 without placing a marker).
@Susiepurlqq1A Drops do have a question section at the bottom of the page and I know they answer these, I have had a pattern correction added when I have pointed out an error. The short row section has been questioned before but the answer is not a full correction as it still has problems, as you have discovered.
Thank you for your responses. I’m afraid I’m still very confused. I had made an attempt at the short rows and somehow I ended up with almost an inch of extra rows opposite the BOR marker, tapering to about a half inch at the marker. I’m not sure how I managed that. I had tried the markers but still was not sure how to use them. Any more advice would be appreciated.
Sorry, it is confusing since there’s more than one thing going on with this pattern. See if this diagram helps. You will end with 4 more rows on the back of the sweater than at the front. The arrows in the diagram indicate the direction of the knit or purl rows.
Place the front, back and sleeve markers on the last knit round (K74 in the diagram). That round finishes the short rows and is knit all the way around to the front continuing around to the back at the beginning of round marker.
I suggested markers on the turn stitch or double stitch of the German short rows because it makes it easier to spot the double stitch. If it’s easier to count stitches then there’s no need for these short row turn markers.
The markers that the pattern requires once the short rows are complete will designate the sleeves, front and back and you will of course need those markers.
The diagram is very helpful. The only thing I am not clear on is at what point you knit the five extra stitches. Is it right after the 2nd turn and then after each subsequent turn? I can’t understand how I messed it up on my first try.
Knit the 5 extra sts just before you make the turn.
So knit 27sts, make the turn and purl 59sts.
Now turn and knit 64sts, turn and purl 69sts.
Finally turn and add in the back, front and sleeve markers as you work the 75sts and every stitch following around the entire circle up to the beginning of round marker.
If you knit those stitch numbers you’ll be working 5sts more in each short row. There will be 5sts after each double stitch turn. You don’t have to think about that. Just knit and purl the above stitch numbers. Creations has outlined the math in an above post so you can see where these stitch numbers come from.
When you knit that final round, placing the back, sleeve and front markers you will also have to be alert for the funny looking double sts. Don’t get to them and think they are a mistake. Just knit the two legs of the stitch together as if it were one stitch.
That is what I needed to know and somehow couldn’t wrap my head around. Thanks so much. You have been a great help and very patient with me.
1 Like
Not at all. Ask anytime. These are often confusing directions so it’s good to have it make sense.
Salmonmac, am I right in thinking the wraps will need to be resolved on each row as the short rows are longer each row, not shorter, each new row works beyond the previous wrap?
So work 27 wrap, turn, work, 59 wrap turn
Then RS work 64 but resolve the first wrap (that happened at stitch 27 on the row below) before finishing these 64.
Yes, and finally in the last round. Then all the double sts will have been worked as single stitches. Thanks for pointing that out.
1 Like
I don’t know what this means. Salmonmac, does this contradict the information you gave me? I am using German short row method, not wrap and turn.
Just pick up the double stitches as you come to them in whichever row. I was trying not to be too confusing but Creations is correct that you will knit or purl to a double stitch at each row.
Yes, German short rows which create a double stitch and not wrap & turn which wraps a stitch.
Sorry, I shouldn’t have said wrap. I didn’t mean to confused things, only I was concerned the double stitch (which I wrongly named wrap) would end up trapped before being resolved.
The instructions you gave me for the short rows worked very well. It looks good. Just one tiny problem though. I was off by one stitch when inserting my markers so a did an m1 just before the BOR marker and now it should all be symmetrical. Do you think that is acceptable? I really don’t want to have to go back and redo the shirt rows.
