How to Wrap and Turn in Knitting

Learning to shape your knitting smoothly can feel like unlocking a new level. One of the best tools for that? The wrap and turn technique. Whether you’re knitting adorable baby garments from our boxes or taking on something more complex, mastering short rows with wrap and turn will help you get a professional finish with less fuss.

What Is Wrap and Turn in Knitting?

If you've ever come across the phrase "wrap and turn" in a knitting pattern and found yourself tilting your head like a confused puppy, you are not alone. It's one of those techniques that sounds a lot more mysterious than it actually is. And yet, it holds the power to create beautifully shaped fabrics, smooth contours, and curves that lie flatter than your favourite Sunday roast Yorkshire pudding.

So, what does wrap and turn mean in knitting? It's a method used to work short rows - that is, rows that don’t go all the way across your work. Instead, you turn your knitting partway through the row. This technique is a game-changer for shaping shoulders, sock heels, bust darts... and all sorts of clever curves.

Think of it as giving your project a little wiggle room. Instead of forcing your flat rows to fake it with increases or decreases, wrap and turn lets your stitches naturally form around shapes. Brilliant, really.

Step-by-Step Guide: How to Wrap and Turn in Knitting

Before you dive in, take a breath. Wrapping and turning isn’t difficult, but it’s one of those things that feels fiddly until it clicks. Then it becomes second nature.

How to Wrap and Turn on a Knit Side (RS)

Work your row until the pattern tells you to wrap and turn.

1. Bring the yarn to the front of the work, between the needles.
2. Slip the next stitch purlwise onto the right needle.
3. Take the yarn to the back again.
4. Slip the stitch back onto the left needle.
5. Turn your work. The wrong side is now facing you.

Done! That little stitch now has a tiny loop hugging it - the "wrap". It'll wait patiently until you come back later to pick it up.

How to Wrap and Turn on a Purl Side (WS)

This one’s just a little different.

1. Work your row until it says wrap and turn.
2. Bring the yarn to the back of the work.
3. Slip the next stitch purlwise onto the right needle.
4. Move the yarn to the front again.
5. Slip the stitch back to the left needle.
6. Turn your work. You’re back on the right side now.

Same idea, just flipped a bit because purl stitches like to be difficult.

How to Pick Up and Hide Wrapped Stitches

Alright, so you’ve wrapped and turned. Later, you’ll come back across that wrapped stitch. If you just knit it like normal, the wrap will sit there looking all lumpy and awkward.

Nope. We’re better than that.

Hiding Wraps on Knit Stitches

1. Knit until you reach the wrapped stitch.
2. Use the tip of the right needle to pick up the wrap from the front to the back.
3. Place it on the left needle, right next to the wrapped stitch.
4. Knit the wrap and the stitch together as one.

It’s like they never argued. Seamless. Clean. A delight.

Hiding Wraps on Purl Stitches

A little more faff here, but still doable:

1. Purl until you reach the wrapped stitch.
2. Use the right needle tip to pick up the wrap from the back to the front.
3. Place it on the left needle.
4. Purl the wrap and the stitch together.

And just like that, you’ve tidied things up. No bumps, no drama.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

So, maybe your wrapped stitches look a bit... obvious. Or perhaps you forgot to wrap at all. Don’t panic. Honestly, even seasoned knitters get it wrong occasionally.
Missed a wrap? You can fake it. Slip the stitch, move the yarn around, and recreate the wrap before you carry on.

Too loose? Try keeping your tension snug as you wrap. You want it secure, but not strangled.

Picked up the wrap from the wrong direction? That'll leave a little hole. If it bothers you, tink back and try again. Or, as we often say, "it adds character."

Alternative Short-Row Techniques

Yes, wrap and turn is a classic, but it’s not the only trick in the bag. Some knitters swear by other methods, and it’s worth experimenting to find your favourite.

German Short Rows

This method involves turning, slipping the stitch, and pulling the yarn to make a double stitch. It’s neat, tidy, and avoids wraps altogether. A bit strange at first, but many find it quicker.

Japanese Short Rows

Possibly the most elegant solution. After turning, you place a loop of yarn on a marker and later knit it together with the stitch. Super invisible. Requires a safety pin or locking stitch marker though - so be ready.

Wrapless Short Rows

Yes, you can actually skip the wrap and just turn. It’ll leave a gap, but some patterns account for that. Others rely on the fabric itself to hide it. We wouldn’t recommend this for everything, but it can work in casual, squishy pieces.

Final Thoughts

Learning how to wrap and turn in knitting opens up an entire world of shaping techniques. Once you've got the hang of it, it becomes second nature - like riding a bike, only with more yarn and fewer scraped knees.

Whether you're adding gentle curves to a baby cardigan from one of our boxes or experimenting with socks and shawls, short rows are one of those foundational skills that reward you time and again.

For anyone wondering about the difference between techniques like this and other needle arts, have a look at our breakdown on the difference between crochet and knitting.

And if you’re not yet part of our community, do explore our flexible knitting plans - ideal for discovering patterns, building skills, and making gorgeous things for tiny humans or yourself.