The two main ways to decrease stitches

Decreasing stitches means removing one stitch from your needle to narrow your fabric. You do this by knitting two stitches together or by slipping one stitch over another. Both methods work; the choice depends on which direction you want the decrease to lean and where it sits on your garment.

A knit two together (K2tog) decrease leans to the right. A slip, slip, knit (SSK) decrease leans to the left. Most patterns call for one or the other to create a balanced look on both sides of a neckline or armhole. Learning both gives you control over how your finished piece looks.

Key Takeaways

  • Knit two together (K2tog) is the simplest decrease and creates a right-leaning slant that works well on the right side of your fabric.
  • Slip, slip, knit (SSK) creates a left-leaning slant and is the mirror image of K2tog, used to balance decreases on both edges.
  • Purl two together (P2tog) and slip, slip, purl (SSP) are the purl-row versions of the same decreases.
  • Decreasing on the edge stitch versus one stitch in from the edge changes how visible the decrease line is in your finished garment.
  • Practice decreases on a swatch before working them into a project so you can see how they look and feel at your tension.

How to knit two together (K2tog)

Insert your right needle through two stitches on your left needle as if you were going to knit them normally — but go through both at the same time. Wrap your yarn and pull through. You now have one stitch on your right needle instead of two.

This is the fastest decrease and the one most beginners learn first. It works on any row and creates a visible right-leaning line. If your pattern does not specify which decrease to use, K2tog is usually the safe choice.

How to slip, slip, knit (SSK)

Slip one stitch knitwise from your left needle to your right needle. Slip the next stitch the same way. Now insert your left needle through the front of both slipped stitches (from left to right) and knit them together. You have decreased one stitch, and it leans left.

SSK takes one extra step but gives you a left-leaning decrease that mirrors K2tog. Use SSK on the left side of a neckline and K2tog on the right side to create a balanced, professional look. The two decreases should frame your shaping symmetrically.

Decreasing on purl rows

On a purl row, use purl two together (P2tog) for a right-leaning decrease. Insert your needle through two stitches as if to purl, wrap, and pull through. This is the purl equivalent of K2tog.

For a left-leaning purl decrease, use slip, slip, purl (SSP). Slip two stitches knitwise one at a time, then insert your left needle through both from right to left and purl them together. SSP mirrors SSK and keeps your decreases consistent across stockinette stitch.

Where to place your decreases

You can decrease on the edge stitch (the very first or last stitch of a row) or one stitch in from the edge. Decreasing on the edge creates a clean selvage but makes the decrease invisible. Decreasing one stitch in from the edge puts the slant line one stitch away from your edge, making it visible and part of your design.

Most patterns specify where to decrease. If yours does not, one stitch in from the edge is standard for shaping like armholes and necklines because the decrease line becomes a design feature rather than hidden in the seam allowance.

Common mistakes when decreasing

The most common error is twisting your stitches. When you insert your needle through two stitches, make sure you go through them in the same direction you normally would for a single stitch. If you twist them, your decrease will look loose or uneven.

Another mistake is decreasing too early or too late. Count your rows carefully and mark where your decreases should happen with a stitch marker or a piece of yarn. Decreasing in the wrong spot throws off the fit of sleeves and necklines. If your pattern says to decrease every fourth row, count: knit four rows, then decrease on the fifth.

Tension changes around decreases are normal but can be minimized by keeping your stitches snug on the needle and not pulling too hard on your working yarn after the decrease.

Practicing decreases on a swatch

Before you work decreases into a real project, knit a small swatch and practice both K2tog and SSK. Cast on 20 stitches and knit a few rows in stockinette stitch. Then decrease one stitch every other row until you have only a few stitches left. Bind off and look at how the decreases sit.

A practice swatch shows you how decreases look at your personal tension and helps you feel the rhythm of the decrease rows. You will also see whether you prefer the look of K2tog or SSK, and you can test different placement — on the edge versus one stitch in. This ten-minute investment prevents mistakes in a garment that takes hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between K2tog and SSK?

K2tog leans right; SSK leans left. Both remove one stitch. Use them as a pair on opposite edges of a neckline or armhole to create a balanced, symmetrical look. If you use only K2tog on both sides, one edge will slant one way and the other edge will slant the opposite way, which looks unbalanced.

Can I decrease more than one stitch at a time?

Yes. Knit three together (K3tog) removes two stitches in one move. Slip two stitches together knitwise, knit the next stitch, then pass the slipped stitches over (called a double decrease) removes two stitches and is more visible. Use double decreases when a pattern calls for them, usually in lace or shaping that needs to happen quickly.

Why does my decrease look twisted?

You are likely inserting your needle through the stitches in the wrong direction. For K2tog, go through both stitches as if you were knitting a single stitch — left needle to right. For SSK, slip knitwise (right to left), then insert your left needle left to right through both slipped stitches. The direction matters.

Do I count the decreased stitch in my stitch count?

No. If you have 20 stitches and decrease one, you now have 19 stitches. Decreasing removes a stitch from your total. Keep a running count or use a row counter to track where you are in your pattern.

What if my pattern does not say which decrease to use?

Use K2tog on the right side of your shaping and SSK on the left side. This creates a balanced look. If the pattern is silent, the designer likely expects you to know this standard. If you are unsure, check the pattern notes or look at a finished photo to see which way the decreases lean.