Knitting Help - German Short Rows

Plenty of knitters don't like working wraps & turns when knitting short rows. German short rows are an alternative to w&ts that actually do their job and look good! In this video, I show you how to work them, and how to substitute German Short Rows for w&ts in patterns.

Here is a link that I mention in the video to a list of my sock tutorials. The "toe-up" patterns use wrap and turns, and German Short Rows can be substituted (including my Bulky Sleep Socks Tutorial):

Information on things you'll see in this video:
The sweater I'm wearing is a free pattern + video tutorial, which can be found here:

The yarn I'm using for demonstration is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes Bulky.

The needles I'm using are Knitter's Pride Bamboo double-pointed needles.

The nail polish I'm wearing is by Julep, color "Malala".

[LisaSchnettler]

My mom had been singing the praises of German Short rows for years, but I finally encountered a pattern that requires them. As always, your video was exactly what I needed!

[willow]

Ahhh. Now it makes sense. I was a little distracted because I was admiring your sweater. So happy to see you shared a link! 😊

[melissam]

You are a lifesaver, I have been trying to learn how to pick up wraps for literal years

[barnabusbites]

You should be commended on your honesty! I have watched soooo many continental knitting tutorials and yours if by far the easiest to follow. 'Love your attitude about knitting in general and I agree with you completely that either English or Continental is fine. Yet, it's nice to know both. Thanks for the great video! 👍👍👍

[amazontrish]

OMG! Thank you thank you thank you! Every time you've asked for suggestions for tutorials (that I have seen) I have suggested this because there are NO good, clear, descriptive German short row tutorials for sock heels that I could find. It's also called a yo-yo heel, a jo-jo heel, and a double stitch short row heel. So THANK YOU, once again, for a video that I can share with all of my friends that is exceptionally explanatory and detailed that they can use to make awesome short rows too!

[stephanieselb]

Wow! That you for this simple to follow video! I’m a top down sock knitter trying my first toe up socks. The pattern calls for German short row heel with double stitch. I put my knitting down for two months because I was so puzzled. After watching your video, I’m no longer afraid to proceed with my socks. Yay!

[monicazumfelde]

Well this is the very first time I can actually say I am glad I was sick today so I could stay in bed and prowl the web for knitting videos to pass the time! Your videos are great. Thank you SO much for sharing. I look forward to viewing more and definitely sharing you on social media!!!

[KateLawrence_kaety]

Thank you for all your work in 2014 -  Staci you keep me learning new techniques and new challenges and now I am teaching my daughters as well. Have a great 2015!

[verygrful]

What the HECK??? My brain is struggling to comprehend this way too simple idea. I have more half finished socks than would be proper to even admit to. What they all have in common is that the W/T is where they stop.
Wow.
I am sincerely stunned to realize I may actually be able to finish them. I didn't even realize how much sadness I have about the basket of them sitting in the cupboard and how many times and ways I have tried to learn how to w/t.
Wow.
This is huge for me, thank you so much!

[CopperPearl]

Staci! I found a way to get used to keeping the counts right when sub'ing these for regular W&Ts.  I call them Wonky Turns! Since I usually talk to myself when doing a particular stitch combo, this is how I did the rows of the toe/heel in the pattern, for example: K until there are 3 left, Wonky Turn (in the next st). Purl until there are 3 left, Wonky Turn (in the next st). That verbal count also worked on the way back "picking up the wraps." It looks fantastic....and now I'm on the easy part, back w the MC. Whew!

[FaerieFenergles]

OMG! I hereby dub you Professor of Knitting Tutors!!! Everyone else's tutorial was convoluted and unclear that I did and undid my knitting a gazillion times and contemplated setting fire to it. Thank you so much wonderful lady .. you are the archangel of Knitting fumblers such as myself. You have saved the day, bless you. 💖💖💖

[rjg]

Staci, as always, you are right on the money!  Thank you for all you do to help us who don't

[joan]

I'm glad that I'm not the only one, who doesn't understand why these work. Maybe one day... Thank you.
My first socks were just "turn, & go back". It worked, & no holes. That must be the simplest way. At the time I didn't know that there was any other way. Oh...ignorance is bliss. :))

[DebOlliff]

OMG. You have saved me. I have been struggling with a capped sleeve that has insane instructions. After ripping it back untold times, trying all different methods that all looked like crap, this popped up in the side bar on YouTube and seems like the answer! Thank you Staci! ❤️

[starchild]

I just bought a pattern on ravelry, requiring German short rows, but they didn’t explain how to do them. I watched on the Brooklyn tweeds channel since that’s the yarn called for in my pattern (and my phone knew this 😂 I guess because I also admittedly did do a quick search for that exact yarn) and in the other video it was explained just fine, but he didn’t make the distinction between these and wrap and turns…so I felt a little insecure since it had been a while. Then I saw a Very Pink Knits explanation and yay! I’m ok…🙏🙂 I actually watch your videos a lot and I always appreciate how quickly you get right to the point and just do what you need to do. Thank you so much you are always truly appreciated.

[koreystoeckel]

I love watching your videos. The pace is perfect and your explanations are so clear. Short rows are so intimidating to me, but I can't wait to try them now. Thanks so much!!

[published]

Never done the short row toe version of toe-up.  Partly overawed by short rows and partly worried about bulk.  Thank you for being so clear -- you really point out how it will be less bulky. 

Short rows were on my "new things to try in 2015" list.  Thanks for making it so appealing!

[carlataylor]

Thank you so much for this tutorial. W&T has confused me so much and looked so crappy every time I have tried it. The German short rows are so much nicer and neater and easier. And your instructions are SO CLEAR! I love your videos. Thank you so much for sharing!

[laurie]

Well, I've watched 20 GSR videos and I FINALLY understand it. Thank you SO much, I got it!!!

[Pipsqwak]

I knit socks cuff-down on tiny size 0 DPNs and have always done a traditional heel flap with decreases and a gusset. I want to try the neater-looking turned heel with GSRs but have not found a single tutorial with anyone using DPNs to knit socks. Everyone is using Magic loop, toe-up, two-socks-at-a-time techniques and continental knitting. Yours is the first GSR tutorial I've seen with just regular knitting with the working yarn in your right hand, using DPNs (not continental!). I think I can adapt this to my old-fashioned sock knitting techniques and do a GSR heel. Thank you!