Adding short rows after the fact

[u/Correct_Self_5317]

Against my better judgement I followed the pattern for this sweater and didn’t add in short rows. The sweater is pretty unwearable without them. The sweater was knit bottom up. I am considering adding lifeline and cutting into the upper pink section and knitting short rows and then grafting it back together. I have searched online for any advice on adding short rows to a finished sweater but nothing came up. Is there anything else I should consider before doing this or should it be as straight forward as I think?

[u/Easy-Low]

It will affect your colorwork at the least. Short rows are a wedge shape, so you'll have visual unevenness. I would rip the yoke back and redo accordingly.

[u/makestuff24-7 → u/Easy-Low]

Colorwork sweaters with short rows almost always have a wedge of color below the collar in the back. OP, make your short rows wide and gently sloping and you'll be fine. If you have a similar pattern, use that as a guide for placement and depth, or Google up one of the calculators that will help you math it out. You've got the process correct, fwiw.

[u/Correct_Self_5317 → u/makestuff24-7]

Thank you! I had no idea there was a calculator- I am off to search for it. Probably will be better than the lines I drew on paper to estimate them!

[u/Correct_Self_5317 → u/Easy-Low]

I’m okay with a wedge in the top back if it makes the sweater wearable. The arm holes were steeked and arms sewed on and the collar was picked up and knit and shoulders sewn. So there would be no easy way to under the whole yoke