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.
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Written Steps
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)
Steps (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)
Featured Pattern
IVON
Cardigan with Tulip Sleeves
Looks can be deceiving with the Ivon cardigan. At first glance, Ivon is a simple overgarment, but upon closer inspection couture design elements begin to reveal themselves. Overlapped crescent cuffs, fully faced front bands, and short-row set-in sleeves elevate an otherwise straightforward piece of outerwear. Knit in woolen-spun Shelter yarn, Ivon is perfect for warding off chilly weather and begs to be layered over the other bespoke pieces in your collection.
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Featured Yarn
Arbor is a classic DK weight yarn with timeless versatility. American Targhee wool is worsted spun into a round and springy 3-ply yarn, perfect for crisp stitch definition and wear-everywhere knits. Skein-dyed in a painterly palette of solid colors.
Featured colors in this tutorial:
Butte A foxy rust hue like iron-rich soils.
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