Short 'n long rows. This is special techniques to use with slip stitches. It can be used as increase/decrease or it can be used to make slopes.


Did you read about the 'forgotten' slips stitches and did you see the tutorial on how to do the different slip stitches? If not, go there before or after reading this article.

Short Rows

Short Rows are a funny concept, that helps you shape things in a different way. Basically, you just stop crocheting and turn before you reach the side of your work. Later you crochet right on top of each of the previous stitches, ignoring the little bump when a short row ends. As slip stitches are stretchy, it can blend in well after a few rows. You can use it for any kind of slopes, rounded armholes, hats and more.


I don't see the short rows used much with other types of crochet. Most other stitches are so high, that they would probably bulge out. But you could try it on single crochet stitches. For the tiny slip stitches, it works very well. It is used in Vashti's popular and free Slip Slope Scarf pattern (Ravelry link).

In my video I use the back-loop-only (BLO) version, as this might be the more common of the slip stitches. You can do short rows with all types of slip stitches though.

Long Rows

The Long Rows is kind of my own concept. I'm crocheting washcloths and I let the coloring of the yarn decide when to change direction. Long rows are just a way of increasing outside the edge of your work.


Long rows are done simply be adding chains on the side of your work and then crochet back into these. Remember to also crochet into the last stitch you do - unless you want to turn with a chain. Read more about turning, stitch markers, tension, etc. in The Forgotten Crochet Stitch.

You can do long rows with all types of slip stitches, just as the short rows.


Use the long rows for stylish scarfs, blankets and likewise. Once you have learned to make very straight edges it can be liberating to make items with stylish and uneven edges :)

Increase/Decrease

If you just want to increase/decrease one stitch at the side of your work, you can easily use short/long rows. As you have a very loose work - exactly as recommended when doing slip stitches, right? - the one stitch increase/decrease will blend in.

It is more tricky, if you need to increase in the middle of your work. There are almost invisible ways to do that. I'm currently editing the video tutorials for those increases and decreases, so hang in there.

Links

Read more about slip stitches here.

• The Forgotten Crochet Stitch
• Slip Stitch Tutorial I
• Slip Stitch Tutorial III
• Overview: Ribbing Stitch Patterns
• Slip Stitch Ribbed Boot Cuffs
• ...Or try slip stitch crocheting in the round. See how at Garnstudio.