What an SSK is and why you use it

An SSK (slip, slip, knit) 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 leans toward the left side of your fabric, which makes it useful for shaping—especially on the left edge of a garment where you want decreases to mirror a right-leaning decrease (like a knit two together, or K2tog) on the opposite side.

Decreases are how you shape sleeves, necklines, and crown decreases in hats. An SSK and a K2tog are mirror images of each other. If your pattern calls for decreases on both sides of a piece, using SSK on one side and K2tog on the other creates a balanced, professional look instead of a lopsided one.

Key Takeaways

  • An SSK is performed by slipping two stitches individually, then knitting them together through the back loops to create a left-leaning decrease.
  • The stitch leans left, making it the mirror image of a K2tog (knit two together), which leans right.
  • You slip stitches knitwise (as if to knit) one at a time, then insert your left needle through both from the left side.
  • SSK is commonly used on the left edge of shaping to balance decreases on the right edge of the same piece.

Step-by-step: how to work an SSK

Step 1: Slip the first stitch. Insert your right needle through the first stitch on your left needle from left to right (knitwise), and slip it onto your right needle without knitting it. The stitch moves over but stays unworked.

Step 2: Slip the second stitch the same way. Insert your right needle knitwise through the next stitch on your left needle and slip it onto your right needle. You now have two slipped stitches on your right needle.

Step 3: Insert your left needle. Take your left needle and insert it through both slipped stitches from left to right (through the front of the stitches). Your left needle now goes through both loops.

Step 4: Knit them together. Wrap your yarn around your right needle and pull it through both stitches, completing the decrease. You have now turned two stitches into one, and that one stitch leans to the left.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most frequent error is slipping the stitches purlwise instead of knitwise. If you slip purlwise (inserting your needle from right to left), the stitches twist and the final decrease looks uneven or loose. Always slip knitwise—from left to right, as if you were about to knit the stitch.

Another mistake is inserting your left needle through the stitches from right to left instead of left to right. This reverses the lean of the decrease and defeats the purpose of using an SSK. The left needle should always go through from the left side, picking up both slipped stitches from underneath.

Some knitters also knit through the front of the stitches instead of the back. After you insert your left needle, make sure you knit through the back loops (the loops closest to you on the left needle) to complete the decrease properly. This is what creates the clean, left-leaning line.

When to use SSK in your patterns

SSK appears most often in shaping instructions. If a pattern says "decrease 1 stitch at the beginning of the row," that is usually where you work an SSK. On the opposite side of the same piece, you would typically see "decrease 1 stitch at the end of the row," which is where a K2tog goes. Together, they create symmetrical shaping.

You will also see SSK in lace patterns and colorwork, where the direction of the decrease matters for the visual design. In crown decreases for hats, SSK and K2tog are often worked in pairs around the hat to create an even, balanced reduction.

Some patterns use SSK on every decrease row, while others mix SSK and K2tog depending on the stitch count and the desired effect. Always follow your pattern's instructions for which decrease to use and where.

How SSK compares to other decreases

The most common alternative to SSK is the K2tog (knit two together), which leans right instead of left. You straightforward insert your right needle through two stitches and knit them as one—no slipping involved. K2tog is faster but creates a right-leaning line.

Another option is the P2tog (purl two together), which is the purl-row equivalent of K2tog and also leans right. If you need a left-leaning decrease on a purl row, you would use P2tog tbl (purl two together through the back loop), which is the purl-row mirror of SSK.

For more dramatic shaping, some patterns call for double decreases like S2KP (slip 2 stitches together, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over), which removes two stitches at once. But for standard shaping, SSK and K2tog are the workhorses.

Practice tips for smooth SSKs

If your SSK stitches look loose or uneven, try tightening your tension slightly on the row after you work the decrease. Sometimes the stitch that comes right after an SSK can look sloppy if you are not pulling the yarn snug enough.

Practice the motion on a swatch before you work it into a project you care about. The slip-slip-knit rhythm becomes automatic after a few rows, and your decreases will look neater as you get the feel for the stitch. Pay attention to the angle of your needles and the direction you are inserting them—consistency matters more than speed.

If you are working SSK in a pattern with multiple decreases in the same row, mark your decrease points with stitch markers so you do not lose count. This is especially helpful in lace or colorwork patterns where the decreases are part of the design.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between SSK and K2tog?

SSK leans left; K2tog leans right. Both remove one stitch, but they create opposite slants. Use them on opposite edges of the same piece to create balanced, symmetrical shaping. SSK requires slipping two stitches first, while K2tog is a single motion.

Can I use K2tog instead of SSK in a pattern?

You can, but the shaping will look unbalanced. If the pattern calls for SSK on the left edge and K2tog on the right edge, using K2tog on both sides will make one side of your garment look different from the other. For the best result, follow the pattern's decrease instructions.

Why does my SSK look loose or twisted?

You are likely slipping the stitches purlwise instead of knitwise, or inserting your left needle from the wrong direction. Always slip knitwise (left to right), and always insert your left needle from left to right through both stitches. Also check that you are knitting through the back loops, not the front.

Do I slip stitches knitwise or purlwise for an SSK?

Always knitwise. Insert your right needle from left to right, as if you were about to knit the stitch, then slip it without working it. Slipping purlwise twists the stitches and ruins the decrease.

Can I work an SSK on a purl row?

Not directly. On a purl row, use P2tog tbl (purl two together through the back loop) instead, which creates the same left-leaning effect. SSK is specifically a knit-row decrease.