Short rows—I don’t understand the knitting pattern

Hi, everyone!
I’ve been reading along here with interest for a while now and am hoping for some help, since my current project has me completely stumped.
It’s a triangular shawl with a lace edge. The lace edge is finished; according to the pattern, stitches were picked up from the edge stitches of the border (167 in total) and two knit rows were worked. So far, so good—it already looks nice. Now comes the part I don’t understand (in bold):
Knit the body of the shawl in stockinette stitch (right side rows knit stitches, wrong side rows purl
stitches).
Using the circular needle, pick up 1
stitch from each edge stitch of the border (smooth side), knit 2 rows and continue knitting in short rows
.
Mark the center stitch with a stitch marker.
Knit to the center, then knit 2 more stitches, turn,
slip 1 stitch, then purl back to the center, purl 2 more stitches after the
center, then turn.
Slip 1 stitch, knit to the turning stitch,
then knit 2 more stitches, turn.
Slip 1 stitch, purl back to the turning stitch and purl 2 more
stitches.
Continue knitting this way until all stitches have been used up.
I have to admit that I have very little experience with short rows, but as I understand it, I’m only knitting a few stitches around the center stitch here. What is the slipping for, and how are stitches used up?

It would be great if someone could take the time to explain it to me in a way I can understand. Thank you very much!
Rosalinde

Hello Rosalinde,

I assume the shawl is knitted from the bottom up, or rather first the border and then the body.
The number of stitches doesn’t decrease either; the count of 167 always stays the same, except that you don’t knit all the stitches, only part of them at a time.
The shawl gets its shape through slipping and turning.
“Used up” isn’t really the right word here—you’re not using up the stitches by binding them off.
Does the pattern mention binding off anywhere? In my experience, all the stitches would eventually have to be bound off.



I hope I was able to help you. Best regards, Michaela 

Hello Michaela,
Thank you very much for your quick reply!

About binding off: this is the end of the pattern:
Then knit in garter stitch (knit stitches on the right side row and wrong side row) across all
stitches to create a stable edge. After 7 rows, bind off all
stitches loosely. (I think I can manage that once I get there :-))

I think the point is that, as I understand it, I only ever knit up to halfway (the center stitch), or two stitches beyond it. But what about the other half—when do you knit that? And do you really only slip the stitches? My research on short rows included descriptions of wrapped stitches and similar things...

Best regards from
the puzzled Rosalinde

No, you always knit to the turning stitch. First only to the center stitch. Then you knit 2 more stitches and turn. Then again to the center stitch and 2 more, and turn again. Now you knit past the center stitch to your 1st turning stitch and then 2 more stitches. Then turn and knit to the 2nd turning stitch and 2 more stitches. Turn, knit to the turning stitch again, and so on. 
You simply leave the remaining stitches unworked on the needle.
If it says there to just slip the stitch, then that is exactly what you do. It may be important for the look of the shawl. 
I work the stitches in short rows in different ways. Sometimes as a wrap stitch, sometimes as a double stitch. But you can also just slip them.

I’m slowly starting to get the hang of this. It wasn’t entirely clear to me that the remaining stitches aren’t knitted. I’ll try this again tomorrow and will let you know how it goes or ask more “questions.” :-)
Thanks for your help so far, and have a nice evening!

You're welcome. Feel free to ask more questions. :-)

Everything is working out wonderfully now thanks to your help! The shawl is almost finished.
Thank you so much again!

Hi Rosalinde,

I’m so glad to hear that. I hope you enjoy knitting. ☺

Best regards
Michaela