Knit two together is a single decrease that combines two stitches into one

Knit two together (abbreviated K2tog) is the most common way to reduce the stitch count on your needle. You insert your working needle through two stitches at once instead of one, then knit them as if they were a single stitch. The result: one stitch on your right needle instead of two, and one fewer stitch on your left needle. This is how you shape sleeves, crown decreases on hats, and the sides of garments that taper.

The stitch leans to the right. If you need a left-leaning decrease for symmetrical shaping, you would use slip, slip, knit (SSK) instead. But K2tog is where most knitters start because the motion is identical to a regular knit stitch — you are just catching two loops instead of one.

Key Takeaways

  • Knit two together means inserting your needle through two stitches at the same time and knitting them as one, reducing your stitch count by one.
  • The stitch leans to the right, so it is used on the right side of a garment when you want the decrease to slant that direction.
  • You perform K2tog on the knit side of your work; on the purl side, the equivalent move is purl two together (P2tog).
  • Decreases are essential for shaping — sleeves, necklines, hat crowns, and any place where fabric needs to get narrower.

Step-by-step: how to knit two together

Hold your working yarn in your right hand as you would for a normal knit stitch. Insert your right needle from left to right through the first stitch on your left needle, then continue through the second stitch without dropping the first one. Both stitches should now be on your right needle.

Wrap your working yarn around the right needle the same way you would for a regular knit stitch. Draw the yarn through both loops in one motion. Drop both original stitches from your left needle. You now have one new stitch on your right needle. That is the complete decrease.

The whole motion takes the same time as a regular knit stitch once you have done it a few times. Many knitters find it easier than it sounds because the mechanics are so familiar.

When to use knit two together in a pattern

Patterns call for K2tog when they want the decrease to slant to the right. Look at the right edge of a V-neck or the right side of a tapered sleeve — if the decreases angle that direction, the pattern used K2tog. On the left edge of the same garment, you will usually see SSK or a similar left-leaning decrease for visual balance.

Crown decreases on hats often use K2tog in every decrease round because the slant is less visible when decreases radiate from a center point. Lace patterns use K2tog paired with yarn overs to create intentional holes and texture. Always check your pattern to see which decrease it specifies and where.

The difference between knit two together and slip, slip, knit

K2tog leans right. SSK leans left. Both reduce by one stitch, but the direction of the slant matters for shaping that looks intentional rather than accidental. If you use K2tog on both sides of a V-neck, the decreases will both angle away from the center point, which looks unbalanced. Using K2tog on the right side and SSK on the left side creates a symmetrical V.

SSK requires you to slip two stitches knitwise one at a time, then insert your left needle through both from left to right and knit them together. It takes one extra step, which is why many patterns use K2tog on the right side (where it is faster) and SSK on the left side (where the extra step is worth it for the visual effect).

Purl two together on the wrong side

When you are working in stockinette stitch and your pattern calls for a decrease on a purl row, you use purl two together (P2tog). The motion is identical to K2tog except you are purling instead of knitting. Insert your needle through two stitches, wrap your yarn, and pull through both loops at once.

P2tog also leans to the right, so it creates the same directional effect as K2tog. If your pattern specifies K2tog on a knit row and P2tog on the corresponding purl row, the decreases will be stacked vertically and lean the same direction.

Common mistakes and how to avoid them

The most common error is inserting your needle through only the first stitch, then trying to catch the second one. Your needle will slip off the second stitch and you will end up with a regular knit stitch instead of a decrease. Push your needle all the way through both stitches before you wrap your yarn. You should feel both loops on your needle.

Another mistake is dropping the first stitch before you have secured the new stitch. Keep both original stitches on your left needle until you have pulled the yarn all the way through. Only then do you let them fall off. If you drop them early, you risk a ladder or a loose stitch.

Tension can also suffer around decreases. If your K2tog stitches look much tighter than the rest of your row, you may be pulling the yarn too hard after the decrease. Try loosening your tension slightly on the stitch when ready after the decrease, or on the decrease itself.

Decreases in different stitch patterns

In garter stitch (knit every row), K2tog works the same way — you knit two together on every row. In ribbed patterns, you decrease within the knit columns by working K2tog instead of a single knit stitch. In lace, K2tog is paired with yarn overs to maintain stitch count while creating holes.

In cables, you may need to decrease before or after a cable cross depending on the pattern. Always read the instructions carefully because the position of the decrease relative to other stitches affects how the fabric looks. A decrease worked one stitch too early or too late can throw off the entire pattern repeat.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does knit two together always lean to the right?

Yes. K2tog always creates a right-leaning decrease because of the direction your needle enters the stitches. If you need a left-leaning decrease, use slip, slip, knit (SSK) or another left-leaning method instead.

Can I use knit two together on every row?

Yes, if your pattern calls for it. Many shaping sequences use K2tog on every knit row or every other row. Just make sure you are following your pattern's instructions, because the placement and frequency of decreases determines the final shape.

What happens if I accidentally knit two together when the pattern says to knit one?

You will have one fewer stitch than the pattern expects, which will throw off your stitch count and any shaping that depends on it. If you catch the mistake on the same row, you can pick up the dropped stitch and fix it. If you do not notice until later, you may need to unravel back to that point.

Is knit two together the same as a yarn over decrease?

No. K2tog is a decrease with no yarn over — it straightforward reduces stitch count. A yarn over is an increase. In lace patterns, you often pair K2tog with a yarn over on the same row to maintain stitch count while creating a hole, but they are two separate actions.

Can I knit two together through the back loop?

Yes, though it is less common. K2tog through the back loop (K2tog tbl) creates a left-leaning decrease, similar to SSK. Some patterns specify this when they want a left-leaning decrease but prefer the K2tog motion over the slip-slip-knit method.