Using Decreases to Shape Knitted Fabric

In knitting, there are many stitches that you can use to decrease your fabric. In this video, Corrina Ferguson talks about different decrease stitches and how different decreases change the look and over shape of your fabric.

SINGLE DECREASES

A single decrease is a stitch that takes two stitches and reduces it to a single stitch. These decreases, such as the knit two together (k2og) and slip, slip, knit (ssk), lean in opposite directions and can give a different look to the knitted fabric, depending on their placement. There are also other single decreases that can be used, such as the knit two together through the back loops (k2tog tbl).

DOUBLE DECREASES

A double decrease takes three stitches and reduces it to a single stitch. In the video, Corrina discusses the three most common double decreases. These decreases are:

– knit three together (k3tog)

– slip one, knit two together, pass the slipped stitch over (sk2p or sl1, k2tog, psso)

– central double decrease (cdd or s2kp)

Placement of these different decreases has an affect on the overall look of the knitted fabric and how the fabric will bias.