Master the Fashion Stitch: A Beginner-Friendly Guide to Knitting on a Long Loom

The Fashion Stitch, also known as the Fashion Wrap, is a popular choice for knitters of all levels. This versatile stitch offers a quick and easy way to create beautiful, double-panel projects like blankets and scarves. Its unique construction ensures a thick, warm fabric with minimal curling at the edges, perfect for those seeking a seamless finish.

This detailed guide will walk you through the basics of the Fashion Stitch, explaining the casting on, knitting process, and casting off techniques.

Why Choose the Fashion Stitch?

Speed and Simplicity: The Fashion Stitch is remarkably efficient, allowing you to create large projects like blankets in a fraction of the time compared to other knit stitches.
Double-Panel Knit: The stitch results in a double-layered fabric, providing extra warmth and a luxurious feel.
Minimal Curling: The double-panel construction eliminates the pesky curling often associated with single-panel knitted projects.
Subtle Ribbing: The Fashion Stitch creates a subtle, ribbed appearance, adding visual interest to your creations.
Versatility: This stitch is perfect for a variety of projects, from blankets and scarves to hats and even sweaters.

Understanding the Fashion Stitch

The Fashion Stitch is a flat cross rib stitch, which means the yarn is looped around the pegs in a specific way to create a distinct pattern. This technique allows for a fast, efficient way to knit with a pleasing, textured outcome.

Equipment You'll Need

To get started with the Fashion Stitch, you will need the following:

Long Loom: The Fashion Stitch is typically used on Knifty Knitter long looms, either in the circular or rectangular format.
Yarn: Choose a yarn suitable for your chosen project and loom size.
Knitting Hook: A crochet hook, size G or H, is essential for casting off your project.
Scissors: For cutting the yarn.

Step-by-Step Guide: Mastering the Fashion Stitch

Step 1: Casting On

The Fashion Stitch requires a specific cast-on method called the 8 Wrap Cast On:

Prepare Your Loom: Set up your long loom, ensuring the pegs are facing the correct direction.
8 Wrap Cast On: For each peg on the loom, wrap the yarn around the peg eight times, creating a secure foundation for your stitch.
First Row: Once you have 8 wrapped each peg, you've completed the first row.

Step 2: Knitting the Fashion Stitch

Second Row: Prepare to knit the second row by wrapping the yarn once more across the loom, following the same path as the initial 8 wrap cast on. However, instead of wrapping around the entire peg, loop the yarn around only the outside of each peg.
Knitting Off: Use your knitting hook to lift the bottom loop off each peg and pull it over the top loop. This is the essential knitting motion of the Fashion Stitch.
Continue Knitting: Repeat steps 1 and 2 for subsequent rows, working your way across the loom until your project reaches your desired length.

Step 3: Casting Off (Binding Off)

Once you've reached the desired length, it's time to cast off your project to secure the stitches and prevent unraveling.

Prepare for Cast Off: Place your crochet hook at the end of the loom opposite the yarn tail, which is called the working yarn.
Crochet Bind Off:
- Lift the end loop off the peg and place it on your hook.
- Move to the next loop, following the path of the yarn on the loom, and place it on the hook.
- Pull the second loop through the first loop, leaving one loop on the hook.
- Repeat this process, moving across the loom, until you reach the other end.
Final Loop: Feed the working yarn through the last remaining loop on the hook. Tie off securely and trim the yarn.

Tips for Success

Tension: Maintain consistent tension throughout your knitting. Too loose of a tension can result in a floppy, uneven fabric, while too tight of a tension can make your fabric stiff and difficult to work with.
Yarn Choice: Consider the weight and fiber content of your yarn carefully. The Fashion Stitch can be challenging to work with some yarn types, such as very thin or very thick yarn.
Practice: Like any new skill, knitting with the Fashion Stitch takes practice. Don't be discouraged if your first attempts are not perfect.
Video Resources: Many online video tutorials demonstrate the Fashion Stitch in detail. These can be an invaluable resource for beginners.

Conclusion

The Fashion Stitch offers an enjoyable and efficient way to create warm, beautiful knitted projects. With this comprehensive guide and a little practice, you'll be able to master this stitch and knit stunning blankets, scarves, and more. Remember to enjoy the process and experiment with different yarns and colors to create unique and personalized pieces.