The two main ways to decrease stitches

Decreasing stitches means removing one or more loops from your active needles so your fabric gets narrower. The two methods you'll use most are knit two together (K2tog) and slip, slip, knit (SSK). Both remove one stitch and lean in opposite directions—K2tog leans right, SSK leans left—so your choice depends on which way you want the decrease to slant on the finished fabric.

K2tog is simpler: insert your needle through two stitches at once and knit them as one. SSK takes an extra step but gives you more control over the angle. Most patterns will tell you which one to use, but if they don't, either works—the difference is mostly visual.

You can also decrease multiple stitches at once by binding off, but that's a separate technique used mainly at edges and armholes. For shaping the body of a garment, K2tog and SSK are what you'll reach for.

Key Takeaways

  • Knit two together (K2tog) is the fastest decrease: insert your needle through two stitches and knit them as one stitch.
  • Slip, slip, knit (SSK) creates a left-leaning decrease and takes one extra step but gives you a cleaner edge in some patterns.
  • Your pattern will usually specify which decrease to use, but both remove one stitch and narrow your fabric by the same amount.
  • Decreases work best when you place them consistently—usually one or two stitches in from the edge so they're visible and balanced.

How to knit two together (K2tog)

Insert your right needle through the first stitch on your left needle, then through the second stitch on the left needle. Both stitches go on the right needle at the same time. Wrap your yarn and knit them as a single stitch, then slide both original stitches off the left needle. You've now turned two stitches into one.

K2tog is fast because it's just one motion. The decrease slants to the right on the front of your fabric. Use it when your pattern calls for a right-leaning decrease, or when you're decreasing on the right side of a garment and want the slant to follow the edge.

If you're working in the purl direction, the same technique is called purl two together (P2tog)—insert through two stitches and purl them as one. The mechanics are identical.

How to slip, slip, knit (SSK)

Slip the first stitch knitwise (as if you're about to knit it), then slip the second stitch knitwise. Now insert your left needle through both slipped stitches from left to right and knit them together. This takes three steps instead of one, but it creates a left-leaning decrease that looks neater in many patterns.

The extra steps matter because slipping the stitches first twists them slightly, which changes how they sit when you knit them together. The result is a smoother left-leaning line. Use SSK when your pattern specifies it, or when you're decreasing on the left side of a garment and want the slant to follow the edge inward.

SSK is common in lace patterns and fitted garments because the left-leaning slant mirrors a right-leaning K2tog decrease, so you can pair them on opposite sides of a centerline and create a balanced, symmetrical shape.

Where to place decreases for balanced shaping

Most patterns tell you exactly where to decrease, but if you're designing your own shaping, place decreases one or two stitches in from the edge. This keeps them visible and makes them part of the design rather than hidden in a seam allowance. On a sleeve cap or armhole, you might decrease every row, every other row, or every third row depending on how much narrowing you need and how gradual you want the slope.

For symmetrical shaping—like on a cardigan front or a tapered sleeve—use K2tog on one side and SSK on the other side of the centerline. This creates mirror-image decreases that look intentional and balanced. If you're decreasing on both edges of the same row, do the SSK first (on the left edge) and the K2tog second (on the right edge) so you don't accidentally twist your stitches.

Write down your decrease rows as you go, especially if you're improvising. A straightforward note like "decrease 1 stitch each edge every other row for 6 rows" helps you stay consistent and makes it easier to repeat the same shaping on a second sleeve or matching piece.

Common mistakes when decreasing

The most common error is decreasing too close to the edge, which hides the decrease inside the seam allowance and makes your shaping invisible. Move your decreases in one or two stitches so they show. Another mistake is forgetting to decrease on both sides of a garment—if you decrease only on the right edge, your piece will slant instead of narrowing evenly.

Inconsistent spacing is also straightforward to miss. If you decrease every row for three rows, then skip a row, then decrease again, the shaping will look uneven. Count your rows between decreases and write them down. Finally, don't confuse SSK with a regular slip—you must slip knitwise (as if to knit) not purlwise, or the stitch will twist the wrong way and your decrease will look sloppy.

Decreasing multiple stitches at once

If you need to remove more than one stitch—say, at an armhole or neckline—you can bind off multiple stitches instead of decreasing one at a time. Bind off works faster but creates a more visible edge, so it's usually reserved for places where that edge will be seamed or finished with ribbing.

To bind off multiple stitches, knit the first two stitches normally, pass the first stitch over the second, then knit the next stitch and pass the previous stitch over it. Repeat until you've bound off the number of stitches your pattern calls for. The remaining stitches stay on your needle and you continue knitting. Binding off is firmer than decreasing and won't stretch, so use it when you need a stable edge.

Frequently Asked Questions

What's the difference between K2tog and SSK in the finished fabric?

K2tog leans to the right, SSK leans to the left. Both remove one stitch. The difference is purely visual—which direction looks better depends on where the decrease sits in your pattern. In lace or fitted garments, matching the slant to the edge creates a polished look.

Can I use K2tog and SSK in the same row?

Yes, and it's common. Use SSK on the left edge and K2tog on the right edge to create balanced, mirror-image decreases. Do the SSK first so you don't accidentally twist your stitches when you move to the K2tog.

What if my pattern doesn't say which decrease to use?

Either K2tog or SSK works—they both remove one stitch. Pick whichever is easier for you, or choose based on which direction the slant should lean. If you're pairing decreases on opposite sides, use SSK on the left and K2tog on the right.

How do I know how many rows to decrease over?

Your pattern will specify. If you're improvising, divide the number of stitches you need to remove by the number of rows you have available. For example, if you need to remove 8 stitches over 16 rows, decrease 1 stitch every 2 rows. Spread decreases evenly so the shaping looks gradual and intentional.

Can I decrease on the wrong side of the fabric?

Yes. Decreasing on the purl side (wrong side) works the same way—use P2tog or slip, slip, purl. The decrease will still slant the same direction, but it will be less visible on the finished fabric. Some patterns use this to hide shaping seams.