Fan Stitch Tutorial
Akin to the Bullion stitch, the fan stitch is worked in two parts. First, the “cast on” places several yarn loops on the hook. Then, the hook is inserted into the specified stitch and finished off by pulling a yarn over through all the cast on loops. Special Technique— Cast On Loops Instead of yarning over the hook, the working yarn is twisted into loops, similar to a half-hitch knot.
First Cast On Loop
Step 1: Bring yarn across palm side, between index and middle fingers; bring yarn over the index finger then under the middle or ring finger (whichever is more comfortable), bring the yarn back up from behind and over the index finger (see Photo 1).
Step 2: Begin with hook behind yarn that extents from the work; insert hook from the left (if working yarn is on the left hand—from the
right if on the right hand), under the yarn that runs over the index finger then under middle or ring finger (see Photo 2).
Step 3: Relax fingers and let yarn come off of your fingers (see Photos 3 and 4). Step 4: Secure the cast on around your hook (see Photo 5).
Step 5: Place a finger from the hand holding the hook across the loop and hook to keep the loop secure (see Photo 6).
Next Cast On Loop
As one loop is cast onto the hook, the next cast on can be set up by keeping the yarn between index and middle fingers, letting the yarn hand lower to tighten the yarn on hook while putting the yarn back under the middle or ring finger, then back up behind and over the index finger. Repeat steps 2–5 for each additional loop. Each twist should be at the bottom to make it easier to remove the hook. Do not cast on too tightly as the hook must be able to pass through all the loops. Special Stitch—Fan Stitch Step 1: Cast on 8 loops (see Photo 7).
Step 2: Insert the hook into the designated chain or stitch (see Photo 8). Step 3: Yarn over and bring up a loop (see Photo 9).
Step 4: Yarn over, holding the cast on loops by the twists at the bottom (see Photo 10), draw the yarn through all loops on hook (see Photo 11). Step 5: Chain 1 to close (see Photo 12).