The Knitting Decrease
Whether you are hand knitting or knitting on a machine, there are several variables you need to consider when you make decreases. And do not, for one minute, assume that the designer of any given pattern is giving the “perfect advice” for you or for your finishing down the line on this subject.
One of the variables of decreases is whether or not they are “full-fashioned” also known as “fully-fashioned.” That means you move the decreases in from the end two stitches rather than right at the edge of the fabric. There are times when you might want to do a decrease right at the edge (as when you’re going to pick up and knit the stitches along that edge for a crew neck shaping). There are other times, especially when you’re seaming two edges together, that you want to move the decreases in a stitch or two. This is both an aesthetic and structural consideration.
The other concept is mostly an aesthetic consideration. When you do a number of every-other-row decreases in knitting, you create a diagonal edge. What sort of pattern do you want the decreases to form? You can have a clear ridge slanting in the direction of the diagonal (dubbed the “cheap Nordic skiwear effect” by one of my students) or you can have the decreases be less obvious. You need to make a sample of each to see what I mean.
This part of the video program has you do two kinds of full fashioned decreases so you can begin to get the idea of the versatility and utility of the kinds of decreases you can use in knitting.
Enjoy! (and learn something!)
that is lovely!!!I’m in beweetn projects right now. Thinking another few sets of fingerless mitts followed by a scarf and then a hat? The hat will be for me. Is it bad to admit I’m still making Christmas gifts?? eeek.