Working Single Decreases with Knit Stitches

Let’s explore how to work various single decreases using knit stitches. These types of decreases are typically used for shaping projects and are also commonly used in lace knitting. In this video, Jen Lucas walks you through four single decreases found in knitting patterns.

SLIP, SLIP, KNIT (SSK)

The ssk decrease is a left-leaning decrease. With the yarn in back of your project, work the slip, slip, knit using these steps:

– Slip a stitch from the left needle as if to knit to right needle
– Slip a second stitch from the left needle as if to knit to right needle
– Slip both stitches back to left needle and knit together through the back loops

KNIT TWO STITCHES TOGETHER (K2TOG)

The knit two together is a right-leaning decrease. It begins by having your yarn to the back of the work. Insert the right needle into the next two stitches on the left needle, working into the second stitch and then the first stitch, so that you are inserting the needle into them together. Knit the two stitches together as if they are one.

SLIP, KNIT, PASS (SKP)

The slip, knit, pass is another left-leaning decrease and can be used as an alternative to the ssk decrease. With the yarn in back of your project, work the slip, knit, pass using these steps:

– Slip a stitch from the left needle as if to knit to right needle
– Knit one stitch
– Pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch

CENTRAL SINGLE DECREASE (CSD)

The central single decrease is an interesting stitch as it takes three stitches and transforms it into two stitches, creating a single decrease. Work the csd as follows:

– Work a slip, slip, knit (ssk)
– Insert the left needle through the back stitch of the ssk just worked and pick it up
– Work a knit two together (k2tog) with the stitch you picked up and the next stitch

All these single decreases are created using knit stitches and can be used interchangeably depending on the look you want for your project.