A right leaning decrease slants your stitches to the right

A right leaning decrease (often written as K2tog in patterns) is made by knitting two stitches together as one. The resulting stitch leans toward the right side of your work. You use it to reduce stitch count while shaping your piece — narrowing sleeves, creating decorative lines, or closing gaps in lace patterns.

The most common method is the knit two together decrease, which takes seconds once you know the motion. There are also variations that create slightly different textures, but knit two together is what most patterns call for when they write K2tog.

Key Takeaways

  • Knit two together (K2tog) is the standard right leaning decrease: insert your needle through two stitches at once and knit them as one.
  • The stitch leans right because the first stitch passes over the second one as you complete the decrease.
  • A right leaning decrease pairs with a left leaning decrease (SSK or slip, slip, knit) to create balanced shaping on both sides of a garment.
  • Practice the motion on a swatch before using it in a finished project so the tension stays even.

The basic knit two together motion

Insert your right needle through the first stitch on your left needle, then through the second stitch on the left needle — both at the same time, from left to right. Your needle now passes through two stitches instead of one. Wrap your yarn around the right needle and pull it through both stitches in one motion, just as you would for a regular knit stitch.

Slide both stitches off your left needle. You now have one stitch on your right needle instead of two. That single stitch is your decrease, and it leans to the right.

The reason it leans right: when you knit two stitches together, the first stitch (the one closer to the tip of your left needle) passes over the second stitch as you pull the new loop through. This creates the rightward slant.

When to use a right leaning decrease

Patterns often pair a right leaning decrease on one side of your work with a left leaning decrease on the other side. This creates balanced, symmetrical shaping. For example, if you are narrowing a sleeve, you might decrease one stitch on the right edge using K2tog and one stitch on the left edge using SSK (slip, slip, knit), which leans left.

Right leaning decreases also appear in lace patterns and decorative stitch work, where the slant becomes part of the design. A column of right leaning decreases creates a visible diagonal line across your fabric.

Keeping tension even when you decrease

The stitch right after a decrease often looks loose or uneven. This happens because you are working with a new loop that has not been tightened yet. On your next row, knit that stitch slightly tighter than usual — not so tight that you distort it, but firm enough that it matches the stitches around it.

If you are decreasing at the edge of your piece (for shaping a neckline or armhole), the edge stitch after the decrease matters most. Tightening it slightly keeps your edges from looking sloppy.

Other right leaning decreases

Knit two together is the most common, but you can also make a right leaning decrease by slipping one stitch knitwise, knitting the next stitch, then passing the slipped stitch over the knit stitch (written as SKP or sl1, K1, psso). This creates a similar lean but with a slightly different texture — the stitch sits a bit flatter.

Some knitters prefer SKP because it feels more controlled than K2tog, especially when working with delicate yarn. Both methods reduce by one stitch and lean right. Use whichever your pattern calls for, or whichever feels more comfortable in your hands.

Practicing on a swatch before your project

If you have not made a right leaning decrease before, spend a few minutes on a practice swatch. Cast on 15 or 20 stitches and knit a few rows in stockinette stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side). Then pick a row and decrease every third stitch across using K2tog.

Knit several more rows and look at the result. You will see a diagonal line of decreases running across your swatch. This shows you exactly how the stitch behaves and gives your hands time to learn the motion before you use it in a garment where mistakes are harder to fix.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between K2tog and SSK?

K2tog (knit two together) is a right leaning decrease. SSK (slip, slip, knit) is a left leaning decrease. They reduce stitch count by one, but they slant in opposite directions. Patterns use both to create balanced shaping on either side of a piece.

Why does my decrease look loose?

The new stitch created by the decrease has not been tightened yet. On the next row, knit that stitch a bit firmer than usual. If the looseness is at an edge, tightening the edge stitch after the decrease will make the biggest difference.

Can I use K2tog in the middle of a row?

Yes. K2tog works anywhere on your needle. It is common to use it in the middle of a row for lace patterns or decorative decreases, and at the edges for shaping sleeves and necklines.

What if my pattern says K2tog but does not say where?

Check the stitch count and the shaping notes. If your pattern is narrowing a sleeve, the decrease usually goes one or two stitches in from the edge. For lace, the pattern diagram shows exactly where each decrease sits. When in doubt, place it where it creates a balanced look on both sides of your piece.