What wrapping and turning does, and when you need it
Wrapping and turning is a technique that lets you knit back and forth across only part of a row, then rejoin the full width without leaving a hole. You use it when a pattern calls for short rows — a deliberate shaping method that creates curves in sweaters, socks, and hats without increasing or decreasing stitches the usual way.
The wrap prevents a gap from forming where the yarn jumps from one section to another. Without it, you would see a visible hole at the turning point. The wrap sits on top of the stitch you turned at, and when you knit back over it later, you knit the wrap together with its stitch so they become one.
Short rows are common in heel construction, bust shaping, and crown decreases. If your pattern says "wrap and turn" or uses the abbreviation W&T, this is the technique you need.
Key Takeaways
- Wrapping and turning creates a small loop around the base of a stitch to prevent holes when you knit only part of a row.
- The wrap happens before you turn the work; you wrap the yarn around the stitch you just worked, then flip the needles to knit back the other direction.
- When you return to the wrapped stitch on a later row, you pick up the wrap and knit it together with the stitch it sits on.
- Tension matters: wrap loosely enough that the stitch can still move, but firmly enough that the wrap doesn't slip off.
How to wrap a stitch on a knit row
Work your stitches until you reach the point where the pattern tells you to wrap and turn. Let's say you are working a knit row and you need to wrap the next stitch without knitting it.
Bring your yarn to the front of the work (between the needles). Slip the next stitch from the left needle to the right needle without knitting it. Bring the yarn to the back of the work. The yarn now sits around the base of that slipped stitch — that is your wrap. Slip the stitch back to the left needle. Turn your work around so the other side faces you. You are now ready to knit back across the stitches you just worked.
The wrap should sit snugly but not tight. If you pull too hard, the stitch will distort. If the wrap is too loose, it can slip off the stitch before you pick it up later.
How to wrap a stitch on a purl row
The motion is the same, but the yarn starts in a different place. You are on a purl row, and you reach the stitch you need to wrap.
Bring your yarn to the back of the work (between the needles). Slip the next stitch from the left needle to the right needle without purling it. Bring the yarn to the front of the work. The yarn now wraps around the base of that slipped stitch. Slip the stitch back to the left needle. Turn your work. You are ready to purl back across.
The direction changes because purl rows face the opposite way, but the principle is identical: the yarn encircles the stitch before you turn.
Picking up and knitting the wrap on a knit row
Several rows later, your pattern will tell you to knit across and work the wraps. You will encounter the stitch you wrapped earlier. You should see the wrap sitting on top of it, like a small loop.
Insert your right needle under the wrap from front to back, then through the stitch itself. Knit them together as one stitch. This closes the gap and secures the wrap. If the wrap is hard to see, run your needle under the base of the stitch and feel for the loop.
Some knitters use a crochet hook to lift the wrap first, then place it on the left needle before knitting it with its stitch. This method works well if your wraps are loose or if you have trouble catching them with the needle point.
Picking up and purling the wrap on a purl row
When you purl across and reach a wrapped stitch, the wrap will again sit on top. Insert your right needle under the wrap from back to front, then through the stitch. Purl them together as one.
The direction of the needle insertion flips because you are purling instead of knitting, but you are still combining the wrap and stitch into a single loop. After you purl them together, the wrap disappears into the fabric and the hole is sealed.
Common mistakes and how to avoid them
The most frequent error is wrapping too tightly. When you bring the yarn around the stitch, keep your tension loose enough that the stitch can still sit comfortably on the needle. A stitch that is strangled by its wrap will look lumpy and may be hard to work into later.
Another mistake is forgetting to slip the stitch back to the left needle after wrapping. If you leave it on the right needle and turn, you will have accidentally knitted or purled it, and the wrap will not be in the right place. Always slip it back before you turn.
Some knitters miss the wrap when they return to it because they do not know where to look. Mark the wrapped stitch with a stitch marker or a piece of yarn if the pattern involves many short rows. This keeps you from accidentally knitting past it.
Why wraps matter in short-row shaping
Without wraps, short rows would leave visible holes because the yarn would jump across empty stitches. The wrap bridges that gap by creating a continuous thread at the turning point. When you knit the wrap with its stitch later, the fabric looks solid and the shaping is invisible from the outside.
This is why wrapping and turning is standard in heel construction. The heel of a sock is shaped with short rows, and without wraps, you would see gaps running up the back of your leg. With wraps, the heel looks smooth and finished.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if I forget to wrap a stitch?
You will see a hole at that point in the fabric. If you catch it on the same row, you can frog back and redo it. If you do not notice until later, you can use a crochet hook to close the hole by threading yarn through the gap, though the result may not be as neat as a properly wrapped stitch.
Can I wrap more than one stitch at a time?
Yes. Some patterns call for wrapping multiple stitches in sequence — for example, wrapping the last five stitches of a row one at a time as you work toward them. Each stitch gets its own wrap before you turn.
Do I count the wrap as a stitch?
No. The wrap is part of the stitch it sits on. When you knit the wrap and stitch together, you are working one stitch, not two. Your stitch count stays the same throughout the short rows.
How do I know if my wrap is too loose?
If the wrap slides off the stitch before you pick it up, it was too loose. If you can see a small gap where the wrap was supposed to be, tighten your tension slightly on the next wrap. A find wrap should stay in place until you deliberately pick it up.
Can I use wrapping and turning in colorwork or lace?
Yes. The technique works the same way regardless of stitch pattern. In colorwork, wrap with the color you are currently using. In lace, wrap the stitch and turn as usual, then work the lace pattern on the return row. The wrap does not interfere with either technique.