The slip slip knit stitch decreases one stitch and leans left

The slip slip knit stitch (often written as SSK) is a left-leaning decrease that removes one stitch from your needle. You slip two stitches one at a time, insert your left needle through both from left to right, and knit them together. The result sits on your right needle as a single stitch that tilts toward the left side of your work.

This stitch pairs with the knit two together (K2tog) decrease, which leans right. Knitters use SSK and K2tog on opposite sides of a garment to create balanced shaping — for instance, one decrease on each side of a sleeve cap or neckline. The SSK takes a few extra motions than K2tog, but the visual balance it creates is worth the time.

Key Takeaways

  • Slip slip knit removes one stitch and creates a left-leaning decrease that mirrors a knit two together on the opposite side.
  • The stitch requires you to slip two stitches individually, reposition your left needle, and knit them together as one.
  • SSK works best on the left edge of shaping (like the left side of a neckline) to balance a K2tog decrease on the right edge.
  • The stitch sits firmly on your needle and does not unravel easily, making it reliable for garment construction.

Step-by-step: how to work the slip slip knit stitch

Start with your working yarn in the back and your needles in the standard knitting position — left needle holding live stitches, right needle empty and ready to receive.

Step 1: Slip the first stitch. Insert your right needle through 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 working it. The stitch now sits on your right needle unworked.

Step 2: Slip the second stitch the same way. Insert your right needle through 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 in the order they came off your left needle.

Step 3: Insert your left needle through both stitches. Take your left needle and insert it through both slipped stitches from left to right — that is, from the front of your work toward the back. Your left needle now passes through both stitches at once.

Step 4: Knit the two stitches together. Bring your working yarn to the back (if it is not already there) and knit these two stitches as if they were one. You will pull yarn through both loops at once and end up with a single new stitch on your right needle. Slip the left needle out. You have decreased by one stitch, and the new stitch leans to the left.

Why SSK leans left and K2tog leans right

The direction a decrease leans depends on which stitch ends up on top. In a knit two together, you knit the first stitch and the second stitch as one unit without moving them — the first stitch stays in front and ends up on top, creating a right lean. In slip slip knit, you reverse the order of the two stitches by slipping them, so the second stitch ends up on top, creating a left lean.

This matters for shaping because the lean affects how your decreases look. If you use K2tog on both sides of a neckline, both decreases will lean inward and create a twisted appearance. Using SSK on the left and K2tog on the right makes the decreases mirror each other and look intentional and balanced.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most frequent error is slipping the stitches through the wrong loop. Make sure you insert your right needle from left to right (the same direction you would knit) and slip the stitch off without twisting it. If you slip through the back loop, your stitch will be twisted and your decrease will not sit flat.

Another mistake is forgetting to reposition your left needle correctly in step 3. Your left needle must go through both stitches from left to right — not from right to left. If you insert it backward, you will twist the stitches and the decrease will not lean the way it should.

Some knitters also rush and knit only one of the two slipped stitches instead of both. Make sure your working yarn passes through both loops at once. If you only catch one loop, you will drop a stitch and create a hole.

When to use slip slip knit in your projects

Use SSK on the left side of any shaping where you want a clean, balanced look. This includes the left edge of a V-neck, the left side of a sleeve cap decrease, the left side of a waist shaping, or anywhere you have already used K2tog on the right side. SSK is also useful in lace patterns where the direction of the decrease matters for the overall design.

If your pattern does not specify which decrease to use, you can choose based on which side of your work you are on. Left side of shaping: SSK. Right side of shaping: K2tog. This creates visual symmetry without extra thought once you establish the habit.

Practicing SSK on a swatch

Before you work SSK in a real project, practice on a small swatch using worsted weight yarn and size 8 or 9 needles. Cast on 15 stitches and knit a few rows in garter stitch (knit every row). On a right-side row, knit 4 stitches, then work an SSK, knit to the end. Knit the next row. Repeat this decrease row every other row until you have only a few stitches left. This teaches your hands the motion and lets you see how the decrease leans.

Once the motion feels natural, the stitch becomes faster. Many knitters find SSK takes only slightly longer than K2tog once they have worked it a few times. The extra step of repositioning your left needle becomes automatic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use SSK on the right side of shaping instead of K2tog?

Yes, you can use SSK anywhere you need a decrease. However, using K2tog on the right and SSK on the left creates a balanced, symmetrical look that most garments benefit from. If you use SSK on both sides, both decreases will lean left and the shaping will look uneven.

What if I slip the stitches through the back loop by accident?

Your stitches will be twisted. You can still knit them together, but the decrease will sit twisted on your needle and look sloppy. If you notice this before you move on, drop back and redo the stitch. If you catch it later, you can usually tink back (unknit) a few rows and fix it.

Does SSK work with different yarn weights?

Yes. SSK works with any yarn weight and any needle size. The motion stays the same. Thicker yarn makes the stitch easier to see and handle, while thin yarn requires more care to avoid accidentally splitting the yarn with your needle.

Is there a faster way to do slip slip knit?

Some knitters use a single-needle slip method: slip both stitches together knitwise onto your right needle, then insert your left needle and knit them together. This saves a step, but it is less reliable because both stitches can twist if you are not careful. The standard method (slip one, slip one, reposition, knit) is slower but more consistent.

What happens if I accidentally knit only one of the two slipped stitches?

You will drop a stitch and create a hole in your work. If you catch it on the same row, tink back and redo the stitch. If you do not notice until later, you can use a crochet hook to pick up the dropped stitch and ladder it back up to the current row.