I didn’t want you to think I was making short rows in my garden so that’s why I added “Knitting” for the title. Short rows are used for shaping .. when the knitted piece needs to be something besides square or rectangular. There were a lot of short rows in the Dreambird pattern. You can see where the feathers are rounded .. short rows were used to create the “short rows” to keep them from being rectangular.
Dream Bird
Blue Sand is another one that has uses a lot of short rows for shaping. The back is longer and the neckband is shaped with short rows, so, they’re quite useful.
Blue Sand
There are several methods of making short rows and the most commonly recommended method that I seem to come across is the wrap and turn method. The method that I had most preferred was German short rows. For my use, the German short rows are neater and less noticeable that there’s a “weird” stitch in there.
Nicole made a sweater for Addie last week and then she was ready to start on one for herself and she decided to make Tea with Jam and Bread. It looked easy enough but since I would be helping her via phone, I decided I’d better read through the pattern and I’m glad I did because the yolk yoke was constructed in a method I had never tried and the short rows were made using yarn overs . . something else I had never done. I decided I’d better go through my yarn and find something I could use and do it myself before trying to help Nicole with it. I couldn’t imagine that a yarn over short row would be good because I associate yarn overs with “holes” because that’s how they’re mostly used — to make lace designs where openings or holes are needed. But, I figured Nicole needed to follow the directions as given and if I was going to help her through it, I needed to follow those same directions.
Short Rows
This is the back where the short rows were used. I cannot even tell where they were added. Once the sweater is blocked, it will be downright impossible to see any of those “weird” stitches. This is my new favorite method for making short rows and I would never have guessed that this method would produce such neat results.
Tea With Jam and Bread
My plan was to make this sweater past the yolk yoke so I could guide Nicole and then the rest of it is pretty straightforward but i love it and can’t put it down. I want to finish it so I can wear it. The yarn is Cascade 220 and I think it should hold up well so this could be my new favorite sweater. It looks like it’s going to be one that’s real comfortable to wear . . but I won’t know for sure til it’s finished.
I’m so glad I learned to make yarn over short rows. Had I not been helping Nicole, I would probably have just done German short rows instead of the recommended yarn over short rows. Sometimes it just pays to follow directions.
Deb says
Oh Judy. I’m caving….. I follow blog because I quilt and love your cooking and canning. I’m even gardening more since following the site.
I have so much fabric and really enjoy quilting that I just don’t even read many kitting post. Beside, I’m not interested in making socks, wraps or sweater jackets.
But ohhhhhhh this sweater is so me! And now I don’t know where to start. It’s suggested to use wool. I like cotton. Is there a moderately priced cotton yarn that would work?
I can look up your suggestions for needles, but I don’t want to spend 50 dollars on yarn for a beginning project.
Ok how crazy am I? What a rambling message. Sorry……
Mary Anne F. says
Tea with Jam and Bread is currently on my needles. I am also using Cascade 220. Love the yarn and the pattern!
JudyL says
I think a lot of people don’t realize how great it is because it feels stiff and scratchy off the skein but once it’s soaked, it softens up and wars so well. I love it. I’m already thinking about a second Tea with Jam and Bread for me.
Swooze says
Who’s the first one for?
JudyL says
Me. Nicole is making one for herself and for Addie.
Swooze says
Ok I thought you said make a second one for yourself. Love all your knitting work.
Noreen says
I love following your blog; you find the nicest sweater patterns!!! I have the yarn for the Blue Sand and now I want to make the Tea with Jam sweater!!
JudyL says
I say . . make Tea with Jam first, especially if you’ve never made short rows. It has I think 11 or 12 rows that include short rows where Blue Sand has a million (or so it seems). Short rows are not hard but it’s one of those things that I keep thinking . . I have 99 more . . I have 98 more . . I have 97 more . . and first thing you know, I’m dreading short rows. Crazy.
Noreen says
Thanks for the suggestion. I know I have some cascade 220 in different colors so I may just to the Tea and Jam sweater.
JudyL says
You could use more than three colors if you wanted to work from your stash.
Melody says
I love the sweaters. I read your blog all the time. I just don’t comment very often. You have inspired me to knit. I learned how to crochet when I was little from my grandmother. She showed me how to make potholders using thread. I have always wanted to learn to knit so last January I started. I watched videos and had a friend show me a little. So in a year I have knitted lots of scarfs and cowls, one pair of socks and am just now about to finish a baby sweater. I’m really happy I finally just got some needles and some yarn and worked at it. Judy, thanks so much for sharing with us.
JudyL says
Thank you, Melody! It’s nice to know that something I’ve written has helped someone. It bothers me to see people write “I’ve always wanted to learn to knit and haven’t done it.” It’s so easy to learn now with the online videos, tutorials and available help. There’s nothing wrong with NOT knitting, but anyone who wants to try it should give it a try.
I hope you have lots of fun with your knitting!
Carole says
I probably shouldn’t write this (OK… this should be my clue to stop) but I hope you take this in the spirit it’s being written. Please. I love your blog and admire you for all that you do. That being said, I had to let you know that you gave me a well needed chuckle this AM. Too many nights with too little sleep has warped my sense of humor… and the latent teacher with the red pencil has come out of me. And all I could think was Judy has been spending too much time with the chickens. Sweaters (like oxen) have yokes; eggs have yolks.
I was so glad to see the bluebird pictures. Back in northern NJ/southern NY where we used to live, I think I saw 2 bluebirds in the 60 years I lived there and now in NE, I haven’t seen a one.
Black squirrels, yes. “Blue” birds (AKA bluejays) yes but none of those graceful sweet bluebirds with their golden breasts. I hope they find your farm as great a place to stay as Boots and Rita have.
JudyL says
I hate seeing mistakes and yes, I make them. To be quite honest, I often have at least one dog standing by my side begging for something, a dryer or washing machine buzzer going off, and too often, a husband asking where something is, all while trying to write a blog post, respond to email and answer text messages.
I hope most of my readers can look beyond my mistakes, appreciate the time it takes to write a blog and overlook the occasional mistake. For anyone expecting perfection, you should have realized by now that this isn’t the blog for you!
Erin says
Well now I love that sweater too! How great of a MIL are you! Making this along with Nicole is wonderful! I don’t know how you do so much one sweater is daunting for me… You helped and inspired me with socks, now I am into sweaters lol I love reading your blog!!! Have a god day Judy!
Amy (Waunaknit) says
Interesting. I will definitely have to check into this yarn over short row method! I would have thought it would leave holes too.