Decreases are techniques in knitting to reduce the stitch count from the previous row or round. There are many ways to work decreases, all of which boil down to three essential steps resulting in making two stitches as one with your knitting needles. These techniques are absolutely handy when you start working on socks, sweaters that require perfect fit, home décor, toys and more. Even projects such as blankets and scarfs or even the dishcloths can have an interesting edge with the application of knitting decreases.
Whether you are working with a pair of single pointed needles, or a small circumference with double pointed needles (DPNs) or circular needles for flat or round projects, you can use the methods for any project.
In this blog, let’s explore the decrease techniques. To know about other knitting techniques to shape your projects, check out our previous guide on knitting increase techniques.
When and Where to Use Knitting Decreases
Before we dive into the decrease methods, it's important to understand the need. Decreases are effectively used for shaping your knitted fabric - create curves, angles, and tapered edges. Whether you're making garments, socks, accessories, or home decor items, mastering the techniques will enhance your knitting skills. Decreases are usually either left-leaning or right-leaning. The method used is determined by the pattern designer for the look of the finished project. A sleeve will require a different decrease than the waist of a sweater or a sock will be different from lace patterns.
Here’s how to work these basic knitting decrease techniques
1. Knit Two Together (K2tog)
K2tog is one of the most commonly used decrease techniques. You simply knit two stitches together and make it one. This works when you are working on a row or round of knit stitches. It creates a right-leaning decrease and is often used in shaping sleeves, necklines, and other areas where a gentle slope is desired.
To work K2tog:
- Insert your right knitting needle into the next two stitches on the left.
- Wrap the yarn around the right needle and pull it through the stitches, creating a new stitch.
- Slide the original stitches off the left needle.
Similar to k2tog is the k3tog where you work three stitches as one making sharp decreases.
2. Purl Two Together (P2tog)
P2tog is the purl equivalent of K2tog. You basically work two purl stitches together and make it one. It creates a right-leaning decrease in purl stitches. You can work this decrease technique in the row or round of purl stitches or simply work them on the wrong side of the pattern.
To work P2tog:
- Insert your right needle into the next two stitches on the left needle as if to purl.
- Purl the two stitches together.
- Slide the original stitches off the left needle.
Like p2tog, you can also work with p3tog. This means you will knit with three stitches together making it one.
3. Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK)
SSK is a left-leaning decrease that complements the K2tog decrease. It's often used for shaping in lace patterns and other decorative designs. To know more refer to our previous guide on mastering the slip slip (SSK) decrease technique.
To work SSK:
- Slip the first stitch on the left needle as if to knit.
- Slip the second stitch on the left needle as if to knit.
- Insert the left needle into the fronts of these two slipped stitches.
- Knit these two stitches together.
4. Purl Two Together Through the Back Loop (P2tog tbl)
This technique is the purl counterpart of SSK. It creates a left-leaning decrease in purl stitches.
To work P2tog tbl:
- Insert the right needle purlwise through the back loops of the next two stitches on the left needle.
- Purl these two stitches together through the back loop.
- Slide the original stitches off the left needle.
5. Knit Three Together (K3tog)
K3tog is a central decrease that creates a more pronounced angle in your knitting. It's commonly used in cable and textured patterns.
To work K3tog:
- Insert your right needle into the next three stitches on the left needle.
- Wrap the yarn around the right needle and pull it through the stitches, creating a new stitch.
- Slide the original stitches off the left needle.
6. Slip, Slip, Slip, Knit (SSSK)
SSSK is another central decrease that creates a unique design element. It's often used in complex stitch patterns.
To work SSSK:
- Slip the first three stitches on the left needle as if to knit, one at a time.
- Insert the left needle into the fronts of these three slipped stitches.
- Knit these three stitches together.
7. Knitwise Slip, Slip, Knit (Kwise SSK)
Kwise SSK is an invisible decrease that eliminates the small bump that is often seen in regular SSK decreases.
To work Kwise SSK:
- Slip the first stitch on the left needle knitwise.
- Slip the second stitch on the left needle knitwise.
- Insert the left needle into the fronts of these two slipped stitches.
- Knit these two stitches together.
8. Purlwise Slip, Slip, Purl (Pwise SSP)
Pwise SSP is the purl counterpart of Kwise SSK and provides an invisible decrease in purl stitches.
To work Pwise SSP:
- Slip the first stitch on the left needle purlwise.
- Slip the second stitch on the left needle purlwise.
- Insert the left needle into the fronts of these two slipped stitches.
- Purl these two stitches together.
Mastering knitting decrease techniques is an essential skill. So, whether you are working on shape and fit or making interesting designs, decreases have an important role to play. So, grab your knitting needles, choose your favorite yarn, and embark on a journey of skillful knitting and beautiful design.
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