What SSK Is and Why You Use It

SSK stands for slip, slip, knit — a left-leaning decrease that removes one stitch from your needle. You use it when a pattern calls for shaping: narrowing a sleeve, tapering the sides of a sweater, or creating a decorative slant in lace. SSK leans to the left on the finished fabric, which makes it the visual partner to a right-leaning decrease like K2tog (knit two together). Pairing them on opposite sides of a piece creates a balanced, professional look.

The reason knitters use SSK instead of just knitting two stitches together is control. SSK gives you a cleaner decrease with less bulk, and the leftward slant is easier to see and count when you're following a shaping pattern. Once you learn the motion, it becomes automatic.

Key Takeaways

  • SSK is a three-step motion: slip one stitch knitwise, slip another stitch knitwise, then knit those two slipped stitches together through the back loop.
  • The decrease leans left on the finished side of your fabric, making it the opposite slant of a K2tog decrease.
  • Keep your tension even on the slipped stitches so the decrease doesn't look loose or distorted compared to the rest of your row.
  • SSK is worked on the knit side of your fabric; if you're working flat, this is usually a right-side row.

The Three-Step Motion: Slip, Slip, Knit

Step 1: Slip the first stitch knitwise. Insert your right needle through the first stitch on your left needle from left to right, as if you were going to knit it. Slide that stitch onto your right needle without knitting it. The stitch now sits on your right needle unworked.

Step 2: Slip the second stitch knitwise the same way. Insert your right needle through the next stitch on your left needle from left to right, and slide it onto your right needle. Now you have two slipped stitches sitting on your right needle in the order they came off the left needle.

Step 3: Knit those two stitches together through the back loop. This is the move that joins them. Insert your left needle through both slipped stitches from left to right, going through the back loop (the loop farthest from you). Wrap your yarn and knit them together as one stitch. You now have one stitch on your right needle, and you have decreased by one.

Why You Go Through the Back Loop

When you knit two stitches together through the back loop, you twist them slightly. This twist is what creates the left-leaning slant. If you tried to knit the two slipped stitches together through the front loop instead, they would sit flat and the decrease would be nearly invisible — which defeats the purpose of using SSK for shaping.

The back loop entry also prevents the stitches from looking loose. Because you slipped them (rather than knitting them), they are already oriented a certain way on the needle. Going through the back loop respects that orientation and keeps the fabric tight.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Slipping purlwise instead of knitwise. If you insert your needle from right to left (purlwise), you reverse the direction of the stitch on your right needle. This changes how it sits when you knit it together, and the decrease won't lean the way it should. Always slip knitwise for SSK — left to right.

Forgetting to go through the back loop on the final knit. If you knit the two slipped stitches together through the front loop, the decrease will look flat and won't create the left slant. The back loop is not optional; it is what makes SSK work.

Pulling too tight on the slipped stitches. Because you are not knitting the stitches, they can look loose if you do not maintain even tension. Keep your yarn at the same tension you use for regular knit stitches. The stitch should slide onto your right needle smoothly, not with a jerk.

Working SSK on a purl row. SSK is a knit-side decrease. If your pattern shows SSK on a purl row, it is a mistake in the pattern or you are reading it wrong. On purl rows, the equivalent decrease is called PSP (purl, slip, purl) or P2tog through the back loop. Stick to SSK on knit rows.

SSK Versus K2tog: Which Decrease to Use

K2tog (knit two together) is simpler — you just knit two stitches as one. It leans to the right. SSK leans to the left. Patterns use both together to create symmetry: SSK on the left side of a neckline or sleeve, K2tog on the right side.

If a pattern does not specify which decrease to use, you can choose based on the slant you want. For a single decrease in the middle of a row, either works. For paired decreases (one on each side), use SSK on the left and K2tog on the right to balance the visual weight.

Some knitters find K2tog faster because it is one motion instead of three. Others prefer SSK because the result is cleaner. Try both and see which feels natural to your hands. Speed comes with repetition.

Practicing SSK Until It Feels Automatic

The first time you do SSK, it will feel slow and awkward. That is normal. Your hands are learning a new sequence, and your brain is tracking three separate motions. After you do it 20 or 30 times, the motion becomes one fluid gesture and you stop thinking about it.

Practice on a straightforward stockinette swatch (knit and purl rows in alternation) with a decrease every few rows. This gives you repetition without the pressure of a real project. Once the motion is automatic, move to an actual pattern. You will notice that your tension evens out and the decreases look more polished.

If you find yourself still struggling after a swatch, slow down and check each step: Are you slipping knitwise? Are you going through the back loop on the final knit? Is your tension even? Usually one of these three things is the culprit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I do SSK on circular needles?

Yes. SSK works the same way on circular needles as on straight needles. The only difference is that you are working in the round rather than flat, so you do not turn your work. The slip-slip-knit motion is identical.

What if my SSK looks loose compared to the rest of my stitches?

Tighten your tension on the slipped stitches. Do not yank the yarn, but make sure it is snug as you slide each stitch onto your right needle. Also check that you are going through the back loop on the final knit — if you miss the back loop, the stitch will sit loose.

Is there a left-handed version of SSK?

The motion is the same regardless of which hand you favor. Left-handed knitters slip and knit the same way right-handed knitters do. If you knit left-handed (needles reversed), you may find it easier to mirror the instructions, but the stitch itself does not change.

Do I have to use SSK or can I use a different left-leaning decrease?

SSK is the most common left-leaning decrease, but others exist — like SKP (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over). If your pattern specifies SSK, use SSK. If it just says "left-leaning decrease," you can use SSK or another option. SSK is the clearest and most widely recognized.

What does it mean if my SSK twists the stitch?

A slight twist is normal and correct — that twist is what creates the left lean. If the twist is extreme or the stitch looks distorted, check that you are slipping knitwise (not purlwise) and that your tension is even. A twisted stitch usually means the slipped stitches were oriented wrong before you knit them together.