What SSK Does and When 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 one at a time, then knit them together through their back loops. The result leans to the left on your finished fabric, which makes it useful for shaping the left side of necklines, armholes, and decreases that need to slant in a particular direction.

SSK pairs with right-leaning decreases (like knit two together, or K2tog) to create balanced shaping. When a pattern calls for decreases on both sides of a piece—say, at the edges of a sleeve cap—SSK on the left edge and K2tog on the right edge will make the shaping look intentional and symmetrical. Without SSK, your decreases would all lean the same direction and the fabric would look uneven.

Key Takeaways

  • SSK is a decrease that leans left, made by slipping two stitches separately, then knitting them together through their back loops.
  • You work SSK on a knit row (the right side of stockinette), and it removes exactly one stitch from your needle.
  • SSK creates a neater, more balanced look than K2tog when you need left-leaning decreases on the left edge of your work.
  • The stitch takes three steps but becomes automatic with practice, and most patterns that use it will tell you exactly where to place it.

Step-by-Step Instructions for SSK

Step 1: Slip the first stitch. Insert your right needle into the first stitch on your left needle from left to right, as if you were going to knit it. Slip it off the left needle onto the right needle without knitting it. You now have one slipped stitch on your right needle.

Step 2: Slip the second stitch the same way. Insert your right needle into the next stitch on your left needle from left to right and slip it onto your right needle. You now have two slipped stitches sitting on your right needle, and they are both facing the same direction.

Step 3: Knit these two stitches together through their back loops. Insert your left needle through the back loops of both slipped stitches (from right to left, going through the back). Wrap your yarn and knit them together as one stitch. One stitch remains on your right needle. You have completed one SSK.

The whole motion takes about three seconds once you have done it a few times. Many knitters develop a rhythm: slip, slip, insert left needle, wrap, pull through. Some knitters find it helpful to pause after slipping both stitches and make sure they are sitting evenly on the right needle before inserting the left needle.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

The most frequent error is slipping the stitches in the wrong direction. If you slip them as if you were going to purl (right needle going from right to left), they will be twisted when you knit them together, and the decrease will look sloppy. Always slip knitwise—from left to right—even though you are not actually knitting them.

Another mistake is forgetting to go through the back loops when you knit the two stitches together. If you knit them through the front loops instead, the decrease will not lean left; it will look like a regular K2tog. The back loop insertion is what creates the left lean. Take a breath after slipping both stitches and remind yourself: back loops.

Some knitters accidentally drop a stitch while slipping because they are moving too fast or not controlling the tension. Slow down on your first few attempts. The stitches should slide smoothly from the left needle to the right needle without any tugging. If a stitch falls, pick it up with a crochet hook before you go any further.

When to Use SSK in Your Patterns

Patterns will usually tell you where to place SSK, but understanding why helps you work with confidence. Look for SSK at the beginning of rows, especially on the left edge of a piece. If a pattern says "SSK, knit to the last 2 stitches, K2tog," you are decreasing one stitch on each side of the row, and the decreases will lean toward the center and create a neat V-shape.

SSK also appears in lace patterns and in stitch patterns that require a specific lean. Some patterns use SSK multiple times in a row to create a steeper slant—for example, "SSK, SSK, knit to the end" will remove two stitches from the left edge in a single row. Always count your stitches after you finish a decrease row to make sure you removed the right number.

If you are designing your own decreases or adapting a pattern, remember that SSK works best on knit rows (the right side of stockinette). On purl rows, the equivalent decrease is called "purl two together through the back loop" or P2tog tbl, which creates the same left lean on the reverse side.

Practicing SSK Until It Feels Natural

The first time you work SSK, it will feel slow and awkward. This is normal. Your hands are learning a new motion, and that takes repetition. Cast on 20 stitches in a worsted-weight yarn and a size that feels comfortable in your hands. Knit a few rows, then work a row of SSK at the beginning: slip, slip, knit together, knit to the end. Repeat this row until you have only a few stitches left.

After you have practiced SSK five or six times in a row, the motion becomes automatic. Your hands will remember the rhythm without your brain having to direct each step. This is the point at which SSK stops feeling like a technique and starts feeling like knitting. Do not rush this process. A few minutes of practice on a scrap piece of yarn is much faster than frogging (ripping out) an entire project because you worked SSK incorrectly.

Once SSK feels comfortable, try it in an actual project. Many beginner-friendly patterns include SSK in straightforward shaping—a basic raglan sweater or a fitted hat. Working SSK in a real project, where you can see how it shapes the fabric, reinforces the technique and shows you why the left lean matters.

SSK Compared to Other Left-Leaning Decreases

SSK is not the only way to create a left-leaning decrease, but it is the most common and the neatest. Another option is called "skpo" (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over), which involves slipping one stitch, knitting the next stitch, then passing the slipped stitch over the knit stitch. Skpo works, but many knitters find it creates a slightly looser or less defined decrease than SSK.

A third option is "sl2tog knitwise, k1, psso" (slip two stitches together, knit one, pass slipped stitches over). This is a double decrease that removes two stitches and leans left. You would use it when a pattern calls for a more dramatic decrease, not for the single-stitch decreases that SSK handles.

For most projects and patterns, SSK is the right choice. It is reliable, it looks clean, and once you have learned it, you will use it in nearly every fitted garment you knit. Stick with SSK unless a pattern specifically calls for a different decrease.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use SSK on a purl row?

No, SSK is designed for knit rows. On a purl row, use P2tog tbl (purl two together through the back loop) instead. It creates the same left-leaning effect on the reverse side of your fabric. If you try to work SSK on a purl row, the decrease will not lean the way you expect.

What if I slip the stitches in the wrong direction?

If you slip them purlwise instead of knitwise, they will be twisted. You can still knit them together, but the decrease will look loose or distorted. Rip back to the mistake and redo it. It is faster than living with a sloppy decrease in your finished piece.

Does SSK use more yarn than K2tog?

No, both decreases remove one stitch and use the same amount of yarn. The only difference is the direction the decrease leans. SSK leans left, K2tog leans right. They are interchangeable in terms of yarn consumption.

How do I know if my SSK is correct?

Look at the stitch after you have worked it. The two original stitches should be twisted together and lean clearly to the left. If it looks loose, twisted, or like a regular K2tog, check that you went through the back loops. If the stitch looks neat and the lean is obvious, you have done it right.