What SSK Means and Why You Use It

SSK stands for "slip, slip, knit," and it is a left-leaning decrease that removes one stitch from your needle. You slip two stitches knitwise one at a time, then knit them together through the back loop. The result leans to the left on your finished fabric, which makes it useful for shaping the left side of necklines, armholes, and sleeves.

SSK pairs with the knit two together (K2tog) decrease, which leans right. Using both decreases on opposite sides of a garment creates balanced, symmetrical shaping. Without SSK, your decreases would all slant the same direction, making one side of your work look different from the other.

Key Takeaways

  • SSK is a left-leaning decrease made by slipping two stitches, then knitting them together through the back loop.
  • You slip each stitch individually knitwise (as if to knit), not purlwise, which is the most common mistake.
  • The stitch removes one stitch from your needle and is worked on the knit side of your fabric.
  • SSK creates a mirror image to K2tog decreases, so use them on opposite sides of shaping for balanced results.

The Four-Step Process for SSK

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 about to knit it. Slide the stitch off the left needle onto the 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 slip it onto the right needle. You now have two slipped stitches on your right needle, sitting next to each other.

Step 3: Insert your left needle through both stitches. Take your left needle and insert it through the front of both slipped stitches on your right needle, going from left to right. Your left needle now passes through both stitches at once.

Step 4: Knit the two stitches together through the back loop. Wrap your yarn around your right needle and pull it through both stitches, completing the knit stitch. Drop both stitches off your left needle. You have decreased by one stitch, and the new stitch leans to the left.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most frequent error is slipping the stitches purlwise instead of knitwise. When you slip purlwise, you insert your needle from right to left, which twists the stitches. This changes how they sit on the needle and makes the final decrease look loose or uneven. Always insert your needle from left to right, as if you were about to knit.

Another mistake is knitting the two stitches together through the front loop instead of the back loop. If you knit through the front, the decrease will lean right instead of left, defeating the purpose of using SSK. The back loop is the one away from you when you look at your needle.

Some knitters also rush the slipping step and slip both stitches at once. This does not work because you need to slip each one individually to set them up correctly for the decrease. Take the extra second to slip them one at a time.

When to Use SSK in Your Patterns

SSK appears most often in shaping instructions on the left side of a garment when you are working flat (back and forth in rows). If your pattern says "decrease 1 stitch at the left edge," SSK is the standard choice. You will see it written as "SSK" or sometimes abbreviated as "sl 1, sl 1, k2tog tbl" in older patterns.

On the right side of shaping, use K2tog instead, which leans right. This creates a balanced look. If your pattern does not specify which decrease to use, check whether the shaping is on the left or right edge and choose accordingly.

SSK also appears in lace patterns and stitch patterns where the direction of the decrease matters for the visual design. Always work SSK on the knit side of your fabric, never on the purl side. If you are working in the round, SSK still leans left, so use it on the left side of your shaping.

Practicing SSK Until It Feels Natural

The first few times you work SSK, it will feel slow and awkward. This is normal. The motion becomes automatic after you have done it ten or twenty times. Practice on a straightforward stockinette swatch where you decrease every few rows so you can focus on the technique without thinking about the rest of your pattern.

Many knitters find it helpful to say the steps out loud the first few times: "Slip, slip, knit." This rhythm helps your hands remember the sequence. Once your hands know the motion, you will not need to think about it anymore, and you can work at your normal speed.

If your SSK stitches look loose compared to the rest of your fabric, you may be pulling the yarn too loosely after the decrease. Tighten your tension slightly on the stitch after the SSK, or pull the working yarn a bit firmer as you complete the decrease.

SSK Versus Other Left-Leaning Decreases

SSK is not the only left-leaning decrease, but it is the most common. Another option is skp (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over), which is slightly faster because you only slip one stitch instead of two. However, skp can look a bit bulkier than SSK, so many knitters prefer SSK for visible shaping.

A third option is sl 2 tog, k1, psso (slip 2 together, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over), which decreases two stitches at once instead of one. This is used for more dramatic shaping, like at the top of a cap sleeve. For standard single decreases, SSK and skp are your main choices, and SSK is the standard in modern patterns.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SSK and K2tog?

SSK leans left and K2tog leans right. Both remove one stitch, but they create opposite slants. Use SSK on the left side of shaping and K2tog on the right side to create balanced, symmetrical decreases in your garment.

Can I use SSK on the purl side of my fabric?

No. SSK is worked on the knit side only. If you need a decrease on the purl side, use a different stitch like P2tog or P2tog tbl. Working SSK on the purl side will not produce the correct lean.

Why does my SSK look loose or sloppy?

The most common cause is slipping the stitches purlwise instead of knitwise, which twists them. Make sure you insert your needle from left to right when you slip. You may also be pulling the yarn too loosely after the decrease; try tightening the stitch that follows the SSK.

Do I have to use SSK, or can I use skp instead?

You can use skp if you prefer. Both are left-leaning decreases and will work in most patterns. SSK is more common in modern patterns and tends to look slightly neater, but skp is faster to work. Choose whichever you find easier.

How do I know which side is the left side when I am knitting in the round?

When you knit in the round, the left side is the side that would be on your left if you were looking at the garment laid flat. For a sleeve, the left side is the side closer to the center front of the body. Check your pattern for clarification if you are unsure.