What SSK Means and Why You Use It

SSK stands for "slip, slip, knit," and it is a left-leaning decrease that removes one stitch from your row. You slip two stitches one at a time, then knit them together through their back loops. The result leans to the left on your finished fabric, which makes it useful for shaping — particularly on the left side of a garment where you want decreases to slant inward toward the center.

SSK pairs with K2tog (knit two together), which is a right-leaning decrease. When you use both decreases symmetrically on opposite sides of a piece, your shaping looks balanced and intentional. Patterns call for SSK specifically because the direction the stitch leans matters to how the finished piece looks.

Key Takeaways

  • SSK is a left-leaning decrease made by slipping two stitches individually, then knitting them together through their back loops.
  • You slip the first stitch as if to knit, slip the second stitch the same way, then insert your left needle through both from left to right and knit them as one.
  • The stitch leans left on your fabric, making it the mirror image of K2tog, which leans right.
  • SSK is worked on the knit side of your fabric and is commonly used in paired decreases for symmetric shaping in sleeves and necklines.

How to Slip the First Two Stitches

Start with your working yarn in back and your right needle ready. Insert your right needle into the first stitch on your left needle as if you were going to knit it — that means from left to right, going under the left needle. Slip that stitch off the left needle onto the right needle without knitting it. You now have one slipped stitch on your right needle.

Repeat the same motion with the second stitch: insert your right needle into the next stitch as if to knit, and slip it onto the right needle. You now have two slipped stitches sitting on your right needle, both facing the same direction. This is the foundation of the SSK.

Knitting the Two Slipped Stitches Together

Now you have two slipped stitches on your right needle. Pick up your left needle and insert it through both stitches from left to right — meaning the tip of your left needle goes in from the front of the fabric toward the back. This is the opposite direction from a normal knit stitch entry. You are going through the back loops of both stitches at once.

Once your left needle is through both stitches, bring your working yarn to the front (between the needles) and knit these two stitches together as if they were one stitch. Pull the yarn through and let both stitches slip off your left needle. You have now completed one SSK decrease, and you have reduced your stitch count by one.

The Difference Between SSK and K2tog

Both SSK and K2tog remove one stitch, but they lean in opposite directions. K2tog (knit two together) is faster — you straightforward insert your right needle through two stitches and knit them as one. The resulting decrease leans to the right. SSK takes an extra step because you slip first, which changes how the stitches sit and makes the decrease lean left.

In a pattern, when you see decreases on both sides of a piece — for example, one stitch in from each edge on every other row — the pattern usually calls for SSK on the left side and K2tog on the right side. This creates a symmetrical, professional-looking taper. If you use K2tog on both sides, the shaping will look unbalanced.

Common Places SSK Appears in Patterns

SSK shows up most often in sleeve shaping, where you decrease stitches gradually to make the sleeve narrower as it approaches the wrist. A typical instruction might read: "K2, SSK, knit to last 4 stitches, K2tog, K2." This decreases one stitch on each side of the row, and the decreases lean toward the center, creating a neat taper.

You will also see SSK in neckline shaping, raglan armholes, and any pattern where the designer wants a left-leaning decrease. Lace patterns sometimes use SSK as part of the stitch pattern itself, where the lean of the decrease is part of the visual design. Always work SSK on the knit side of your fabric — if your pattern is worked in the round, SSK is worked on every round. If you are working flat, SSK appears only on right-side (knit) rows.

Troubleshooting SSK Mistakes

If your SSK looks twisted or loose, you likely slipped the stitches incorrectly. Make sure you are slipping as if to knit — not as if to purl. Slipping as if to purl (inserting the needle from right to left) will flip the stitch and create a twisted result. Always slip as if to knit, even though you are not actually knitting the stitch.

If your decrease does not lean left, check that you inserted your left needle through the back loops of both slipped stitches. If you went through the front loops instead, the stitch will lean right and look like a K2tog. The back-loop entry is what creates the left lean. If you are unsure, practice on a swatch first — SSK becomes automatic after a few rows.

When to Use SSK Versus Other Decreases

SSK is one of several left-leaning decreases. Slip 2 together, knit 1, pass slipped stitches over (abbreviated SK2P or SKPO) decreases two stitches at once and also leans left, but it is more visible and creates a different texture. Use SK2P when a pattern calls for it specifically, usually in lace or textured designs.

For most everyday shaping — sleeves, necklines, basic garment construction — SSK and K2tog are the standard pair. They are straightforward, they create a clean line, and they are reversible: if you make a mistake, you can tink back (unknit) a few stitches and try again without unraveling the whole row. Start with SSK and K2tog, and you will have the tools for nearly every shaping situation in knitting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does it mean to slip as if to knit?

It means you insert your right needle into the stitch the same way you would if you were about to knit it — from left to right, under the left needle — but you do not actually knit. You straightforward slide the stitch onto the right needle. This is different from slipping as if to purl, where you insert from right to left.

Can I use SSK on the purl side of my fabric?

No. SSK is a knit-side decrease. On the purl side, you would use its mirror stitch, which is PSP (purl, slip, purl) or a similar purl-side decrease. Most patterns are designed so you work decreases on the knit side only, so you rarely need to worry about this.

Does SSK use more yarn than K2tog?

No. Both decreases remove exactly one stitch and use the same amount of yarn. The only difference is the direction the decrease leans and the number of steps it takes to complete.

What if I slip the stitches but forget to knit them together?

You will have two loose stitches on your right needle. straightforward insert your left needle through both and knit them together as you normally would. It is an straightforward fix and happens to everyone when learning.

Is SSK harder than K2tog?

It takes one extra step, but it is not harder — just slightly slower. After a few rows, the motion becomes automatic and your speed will match K2tog. The extra step is worth it because it gives you control over which direction your decreases lean.