Xtreme Slip Stitches

I first started to get the idea for this pattern when I looked at planned pooling projects (here's an example of a planned pooling project, and another example on YouTube)  - and really wanted to create something that looked similar with a sort of Argyle effect but

• without going through the process of measuring a specific kind of yarn, 
• without being forced to knit to a calculated number of stitches per row and 
• without being dependent on a certain kind of yarn.

That's why I decided to do something with solid colors. The piece is knitted all in garter stitch, short row ridges in contrast colors are used to create this pattern. To get to the point where you start the short row, you have to slip a number of stitches without knitting them. I can imagine that you also can achieve a similar effect it with intarsia, but you'd need more skeins (bobbins) for this - up to 3 of the main color.

By the way, this is my hundredth (100th!) pattern on Ravelry! I must admit that I'm rather proud ...





This work by Knitting and so on is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.




Materials

• a total of 160 grams of Sports weight yarn in three colors - called main color (MC, light orange in the photos - about 110 grams), contrast color 1 (CC1, white in the photos - about 25 grams) and contrast color 2 (CC2, pink in the photos - also about 25 grams)
• 4mm knitting needles
• a tapestry needle to weave in ends

Gauge and Size

When knitting the piece you will have unnevenness due to the number of rows at certain points. This will even out in the end - however, after blocking some parts will be more stretched than others. That's why I chose to give you gauge with an unblocked piece: Unblocked and knitted in garter stitch 19 stitches gave 10 cm in width and 18 ridges (i.e. 36 rows) gave 10 cm in length.
The finished piece is 82 cm long ("elbow-to-elbow") and 38 cm wide (i.e. has a circumference of 38 cm at the arms).
If you have different gauge or a want to knit another size, there are some suggestions how to change the size at the end of the pattern.

Techniques and Notation

• Slipping stitches purlwise: If the pattern says slip 30 sts (or sl30 for short), just slip these 30 sts purlwise (i.e. don't turn them). 
• Short rows with Wrap and Turn (w+t): as shown in this YouTube video by Very Pink Knits. Since the wraps are in a different color than the wrapped stitch, the wraps should be picked up. Here's a YouTube video that shows how to pick up your wraps (also by Very Pink Knits).
• Wrap and Slip Front Stitch (w+sfs): Bring the new working yarn to front (see photo 1). Slip the next stitch as if to knit (photo 2). And bring the yarn working yarn to back (photo 3) and continue knitting (photo 4). This is used to attach the new working yarn of a new color to the stitch in front. It's not a wrap before a turn, but a wrap before you start knitting in this direction.

• In the row above this w+sfs wrap, this stitch is knitted through the back loop as follows: pick up the wrap with the right hand needle (photo 1) and place it on the left hand needle (photo 2); then knit it through the back loop (photo 3). In the instructions the stitch that was wrapped like this will be referrred to as wfs-stitch.

Instructions

Short Version

Some explanations:

• The piece is knitted in garter stitch ridges - one ridge is knitted in the main color, followed by a short row ridge in CC1, a ridge in MC and a short row ridge in CC2. 
• The contrast color short rows always move 2 stitches from one use of the color to the next:
• During the first half of the pattern CC1 starts at the start of the row and moves 2 stitches further towards the end, 
• CC2 starts at the end of the row and then moves 2 stitches further towards the beginning of the row
• During the second half of the pattern the contrast colors "move" in opposite directions.
• The yarn in contrast colors is carried up on the WS of the pattern. Since the distance between the starting points of the short rows is usually 2 stitches and one ridge, the floats are not too long.

CO 70 in MC

Ridge 1 (MC): sl1, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 2 (CC1): sl1, k25, w+t, k 26
Ridge 3 (MC): sl1, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 4 (CC2): sl to 27 sts before end, w+sfs, k26, turn, sl1, k25, sl to end
Ridge 5 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 6: (CC1): sl to the stitch where you started CC1 the last time (i.e. 4 ridges before), slip one more stitch, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl to end
Ridge 7 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 8 (CC2): sl to 3 sts before the stitch where you started CC2 the last time (4 ridges before), w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl to end
Repeat ridges 5 to 8 until ridge 8 starts without slip stitches (i.e. you start knitting with CC2 at the beginning of the row).

Now you nearly knit the same sequence backwards, i.e.
Ridge 1b (MC): sl1, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 2b (CC1): sl to 27 sts before end, w+sfs, k26, turn, sl1, k25, sl to end
Ridge 3b (MC): sl1, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 4b (CC2): sl1, k25, w+t, k 26
Ridge 5b (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 6b (CC1): sl to 3 sts before the stitch where you started CC1 the last time (4 ridges before), w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl to end
Ridge 7b (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 8b (CC2): sl to the stitch where you started CC2 the last time (i.e. 4 ridges before), slip one more stitch, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl to end
Repeat ridges 5 to 8 until ridge 8 starts without slip stitches (i.e. you start knitting with CC1 at the beginning of the row).

End with an MC ridge and BO.
Weave in ends an block.
Fold lengthwise and seam the arms.

Long Version 

CO 70 in MC
Ridge 1 (MC): sl1, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 2 (CC1): sl1, k25, w+t, k 26
Ridge 3 (MC): sl1, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 4 (CC2): sl43, w+sfs, k26 (i.e. k to end), turn, sl1, k25, sl44
Ridge 5 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 6: (CC1): sl1, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl2
Ridge 7 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 8 (CC2): sl41, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl42
Ridge 9 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 10 (CC1): sl3, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl4
Ridge 11 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 12 (CC2): sl39, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl40
Ridge 13 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end

Ridge 14 (CC1): sl5, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl6
Ridge 15 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 16 (CC2): sl37, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl38
Ridge 17 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end

Ridge 18 (CC1): sl7, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl8
Ridge 19 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 20 (CC2): sl35, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl36
Ridge 21 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 22 (CC1): sl9, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl10
Ridge 23 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 24 (CC2): sl33, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl34
Ridge 25 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 26 (CC1): sl11, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl12
Ridge 27 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 28 (CC2): sl31, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl32
Ridge 29 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 30 (CC1): sl13, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl14
Ridge 31 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 32 (CC2): sl29, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl30
Ridge 33 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 34 (CC1): sl15, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl16
Ridge 35 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 36 (CC2): sl27, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl28
Ridge 37 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 38 (CC1): sl17, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl18
Ridge 39 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 40 (CC2): sl25, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl26
Ridge 41 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 42 (CC1): sl19, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl20
Ridge 43 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 44 (CC2): sl23, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl24
Ridge 45 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end

Ridge 46 (CC1): sl21, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl22
Ridge 47 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 48 (CC2): sl21, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl22
Ridge 49 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 50 (CC1): sl23, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl24
Ridge 51 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 52 (CC2): sl19, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl20
Ridge 53 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 54 (CC1): sl25, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl26
Ridge 55 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 56 (CC2): sl17, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl18
Ridge 57 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 58 (CC1): sl27, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl28
Ridge 59 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 60 (CC2): sl15, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl16
Ridge 61 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 58 (CC1): sl27, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl28
Ridge 59 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 60 (CC2): sl15, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl16
Ridge 61 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 62 (CC1): sl29, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl30
Ridge 63 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 64 (CC2): sl13, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl14
Ridge 65 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 66 (CC1): sl31, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl32
Ridge 67 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 68 (CC2): sl11, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl12
Ridge 69 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 70 (CC1): sl33, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl34
Ridge 71 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 72 (CC2): sl9, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl10
Ridge 73 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 74 (CC1): sl35, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl36
Ridge 75 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 76 (CC2): sl7, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl8
Ridge 77 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 78 (CC1): sl37, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl38
Ridge 79 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 80 (CC2): sl5, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl6
Ridge 81 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 82 (CC1): sl39, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl40
Ridge 83 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 84 (CC2): sl3, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl4
Ridge 85 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 82 (CC1): sl41, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl42
Ridge 83 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 84 (CC2): sl1, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl2
Ridge 85 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 86 (CC1): sl43, w+sfs, k26 (i.e. k to end), turn, sl1, k25, sl44
Ridge 87 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 88 (CC2): sl1, k25, w+t, k26 (i.e. k to end)
Ridge 89 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end

Here's how your piece should look after ridge 85.

Ridge 90 (CC1): sl41, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl42
Ridge 91 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 92 (CC2): sl1, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl2
Ridge 93 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 94 (CC1): sl39, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl40
Ridge 95 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 96 (CC2): sl3, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl4
Ridge 97 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 98 (CC1): sl37, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl38
Ridge 99 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 100 (CC2): sl5, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl6
Ridge 101 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 102 (CC1): sl35, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl36
Ridge 103 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 104 (CC2): sl7, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl8
Ridge 105 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 106 (CC1): sl33, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl34
Ridge 107 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 108 (CC2): sl9, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl10
Ridge 109 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 110 (CC1): sl31, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl32
Ridge 111 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 112 (CC2): sl11, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl12
Ridge 113 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 114 (CC1): sl29, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl30
Ridge 115 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 116 (CC2): sl13, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl14
Ridge 117 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 118 (CC1): sl27, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl28
Ridge 119 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 120 (CC2): sl15, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl16
Ridge 121 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 122 (CC1): sl25, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl26
Ridge 123 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 124 (CC2): sl17, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl18
Ridge 125 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 126 (CC1): sl23, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl24
Ridge 127 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 128 (CC2): sl19, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl20
Ridge 129 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 130 (CC1): sl21, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl22
Ridge 131 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 132 (CC2): sl21, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl22
Ridge 133 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 134 (CC1): sl19, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl20
Ridge 135 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 136 (CC2): sl23, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl24
Ridge 137 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 138 (CC1): sl17, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl18
Ridge 139 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 140 (CC2): sl25, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl26
Ridge 141 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 142 (CC1): sl15, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl16
Ridge 143 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 144 (CC2): sl27, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl28
Ridge 145 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 146 (CC1): sl13, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl14
Ridge 147 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 148 (CC2): sl29, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl30
Ridge 149 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 150 (CC1): sl11, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl12
Ridge 151 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 152 (CC2): sl31, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl32
Ridge 153 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 154 (CC1): sl9, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl10
Ridge 155 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 156 (CC2): sl33, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl34
Ridge 157 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 158 (CC1): sl7, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl8
Ridge 159 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 160 (CC2): sl35, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl36
Ridge 161 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 162 (CC1): sl5, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl6
Ridge 163 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 164 (CC2): sl37, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl38
Ridge 165 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 166 (CC1): sl3, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl4
Ridge 167 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 168 (CC2): sl39, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl40
Ridge 169 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 170: (CC1): sl1, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl2
Ridge 171 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 172 (CC2): sl41, w+sfs, k26, w+t, k26, sl42
Ridge 173 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 174 (CC1): sl1, k25, w+t, k 26
Ridge 175 (MC): sl1, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 176 (CC2): sl43, w+sfs, k26 (i.e. k to end), turn, sl1, k25, sl44
Ridge 177 (MC): sl1, k to wfs-stitch, ktbl, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end
Ridge 178 (MC): sl1, k to end, turn, sl1, k to end

Weave in ends and block! The picture below shows the piece on the blocking board.
Fold lengthwise and seam the arms.

How to Adapt the Pattern to Another the Size
As you may have noticed when reading the pattern. the contrast color short rows always move 2 stitches from one use of the color to the next.
During the first half of the pattern CC1 starts at the start of the row and moves 2 stitches further towards the end, while CC2 starts at the end of the row and then moves 2 stitches further towards the beginning of the row.
This means that the first point where you start the short row with CC2 is as far from the end as the length of the short row (in the pattern above the row is 70 sts wide - and the CC short rows are always 26 sts wide, that means the first start of the CC2 short row starts with 70-26=44 slip stitches - or rather 43 slip stitches and the 44th one is wrapped from the front).

• So if you just want to lengthen the piece, you could chose to make the short rows shorter than 26 sts, this means you need more rows until the last short row reaches the other end of the complete row.
• Or if you just want to widen the piece, you can chose to cast on more than 70 sts and adjust the length of the short rows, e.g. CO 80 sts and make the short rows 36 sts long. That way you still need the same number of rows as specified in the pattern. Please note that here you need to start the first short row in CC1 at the stitch that is as far from the end of the complete row as the short row is long. 

This blogpost was featured at the "Sew it, Craft it Cook it"-Link Party #11 at sewhistorically.com. and at Link & Share Wednesday #200 by OombawkaDesignCrochet.com. Thank you!