Fully fashioned knitted fabrics are shaped with increases and/or decreases during knitting, as opposed to fabric knit as a straight piece then cut into shape. In hand knitting, this term usually refers to increases and decreases worked a few stitches in from the edge of the fabric, creating a decorative effect.
Often seen in machine-knitted ready-to-wear garments, right-leaning and left-leaning fully fashioned double decreases add polish to your knitting while decreasing two stitches at once.
We show you how to work these stylish decreases both with and without a cable needle, and how to substitute them in patterns calling for single decreases to add extra flair.
Written Steps
With Cable Needle
FD2-R: Fashioned Decrease Right – Double: Place next two stitches onto CN and hold CN parallel to and behind L needle. *Insert R needle into first stitch on L needle and first stitch on CN, knit these two stitches together; repeat from * once. (2 stitches decreased; leans right)
FD2-L: Fashioned Decrease Left – Double: Place next two stitches onto CN and hold CN parallel to and in front of L needle. *Insert R needle into first stitch on CN and first stitch on L needle, knit these two stitches together; repeat from * once. (2 stitches decreased; leans left)
Without Cable Needle
FD2-R: Fashioned Decrease Right – Double: Slip 1 stitch purlwise, skip the next stitch, insert R needle into the second stitch on L needle as if to purl. Secure the base of the two stitches on L needle with your index finger and slide them off L needle. Insert L needle from the back into the loose stitch. Place both stitches back onto L needle. K2tog twice. (2 stitches decreased; leans right)
FD2-L: Fashioned Decrease Left – Double: Slip 1 stitch purlwise, skip the next stitch, insert R needle from the back into the second stitch on L needle as if to purl. Secure the base of the two stitches on L needle with your thumb and slide them off L needle. Insert L needle into the loose stitch. Place both stitches back onto L needle. SSK twice. (2 stitches decreased; leans left)
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