What SSK Does and When to Use It

SSK stands for slip, slip, knit — a method that decreases one stitch by leaning it to the left. You slip two stitches one at a time as if to knit, then insert your left needle through both from left to right and knit them together. The result is a left-leaning decrease that mirrors a knit two together (K2tog), which leans right. Patterns use SSK on the left side of a design and K2tog on the right side to create a balanced, symmetrical look.

You will see SSK in nearly every shaping instruction — armholes, necklines, waist shaping, and decorative decreases. It is one of the two standard decreases in knitting, and learning it well means your finished pieces will have clean, intentional lines instead of a twisted or uneven edge.

Key Takeaways

  • SSK requires you to slip two stitches individually as if to knit, then knit them together through the back loop to create a left-leaning decrease.
  • The motion is slip, slip, knit — three separate actions done in order, and the stitch count drops by one.
  • SSK and K2tog are mirror decreases; use SSK on the left edge of shaping and K2tog on the right to keep edges even.
  • The most common mistake is slipping stitches purlwise instead of knitwise, which changes the angle and makes the decrease look twisted.

The Three-Step Motion: Slip, Slip, Knit

Insert your right needle through the first stitch on your left needle as if you were about to knit it, then slide that stitch off the left needle onto the right needle without knitting it. You have now slipped one stitch knitwise. Repeat: insert your right needle through the next stitch on the left needle as if to knit, and slip it onto the right needle. You now have two slipped stitches sitting on your right needle.

Insert your left needle through both slipped stitches from left to right — the needle goes in from the front of the stitches, not the back. Wrap your yarn around your right needle as if to knit, and pull the yarn through both stitches at once. Slide both stitches off the left needle. You have now knitted two stitches together, and the resulting stitch leans to the left.

The entire sequence takes about three seconds once your hands know the motion. The key is that both slipped stitches must be slipped knitwise — meaning your needle goes through them the same way it would if you were knitting them. Slipping purlwise (the way you would slip for a purl stitch) twists the stitches and makes the decrease look wrong.

Why Slip Knitwise, Not Purlwise

When you slip a stitch knitwise, the stitch sits on your needle in its original orientation. When you slip purlwise, you flip the stitch slightly. For SSK, you need the stitches to stay in their original position so that when you knit them together, they sit flat and lean cleanly to the left.

If you slip both stitches purlwise and then knit them together, the resulting decrease will look twisted or uneven — the stitch will appear to spiral rather than lean. This is one of the most common mistakes in SSK, and it is straightforward to fix once you notice it. Check your first few SSK decreases in a practice swatch: the stitches should look smooth and angled, not kinked.

SSK Versus K2tog: Which Decrease to Use

K2tog (knit two together) is simpler: you insert your right needle through two stitches from left to right and knit them as one. The resulting stitch leans to the right. SSK, by contrast, leans to the left. Patterns pair them to create symmetry — if you are decreasing on both sides of a neckline or armhole, you use K2tog on the right side and SSK on the left side.

Some knitters use only K2tog because it is faster, but the resulting shaping looks unbalanced. The left edge will appear to spiral inward while the right edge leans outward. Using both decreases in the correct places is what separates neat, professional-looking garments from ones that look hastily made. It takes no extra time once you know the motion.

Practice Swatch: Building the Motion

Cast on 12 stitches using your preferred method. Knit 4 rows in garter stitch (knit every row). On row 5, knit 3 stitches, then work SSK, knit to the end. On row 6, knit all stitches. Repeat rows 5 and 6 until you have 6 stitches left. Bind off.

Your swatch should show a clear left-leaning decrease line running down the middle. If the decreases look twisted or uneven, check that you are slipping both stitches knitwise — not purlwise. Repeat the swatch until the motion feels automatic. Once you can do SSK without thinking about the steps, you are ready to use it in actual patterns.

Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them

The most frequent error is slipping purlwise instead of knitwise. The second is inserting your left needle through the slipped stitches from the wrong direction — you should go from left to right (front to back), not right to left. If you insert from the wrong side, the stitch will twist and the decrease will look wrong.

A third mistake is knitting the slipped stitches together through the front loop instead of the back. This creates a twisted stitch. After you slip both stitches, insert your left needle from the front, then knit through the back loop of both stitches at once. This ensures the decrease leans left and sits flat.

If your SSK looks loose or sloppy, you may be pulling the yarn too gently when you knit the two stitches together. Pull firmly but not so hard that you distort the stitch. The tension should match the rest of your knitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

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

Technically yes, but it will look unbalanced. SSK leans left and K2tog leans right. If you use SSK on both sides of a neckline, the left side will look correct and the right side will look like it is spiraling inward. Patterns specify which decrease to use in which location for a reason — follow the pattern instructions for the cleanest result.

What if I accidentally slip a stitch purlwise?

If you notice before you knit the two stitches together, slip the stitch back to your left needle and redo it knitwise. If you have already knitted them together, the decrease is done — you cannot undo it without ripping back. On your next SSK, slow down and confirm you are slipping knitwise before moving to the knit step.

Is there a faster way to do SSK?

Some knitters use a technique called "skp" (slip, knit, pass slipped stitch over), which is slightly faster. You slip one stitch knitwise, knit one stitch, then pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch. It creates the same left-leaning decrease. Try both methods and use whichever feels more natural in your hands.

Does SSK work the same on purl rows?

No. On purl rows, you would use a different decrease called "ssp" (slip, slip, purl). The motion is the same as SSK, but you slip purlwise and purl the two stitches together instead of knitting them. Patterns will specify which decrease to use on each row.

Why does my SSK look different from the K2tog next to it?

SSK should lean left and K2tog should lean right — that is the whole point. If they look identical, you may be slipping purlwise for SSK, which removes the lean. Check your slip direction. If one decrease looks much looser than the other, your tension may be uneven between the two decreases — practice until they feel the same in your hands.