Knitting is a timeless craft that offers a bundle of techniques to explore and master. One such technique is the slip-slip knit (SSK), widely used to create symmetrical decreases in knitting patterns. Whether you are a seasonal knitter or an experienced enthusiast looking to expand your skills, learning the slip-slip decrease technique is essential. While there are many ways to decrease stitches and reduce the stitch count in the row or round than the previous knit row or round, SSK is a very common decrease in technique. Whether you are working on a pair of socks with a set of double-pointed needles or shaping a seamless sweater or cardigan with circular knitting needles, you may need the decrease technique anytime or on any project. Even when you are working back and forth on circulars or a pair of single-pointed needles you can work out the knitting decrease easily.
By twisting the stitches before you knit them together, you can create a decrease that tilts to the left. It is a left-leaning technique that reduces two stitches into one. You have to take two stitches from the left needle to the right, then knit together to form a single stitch. In this blog post, we will delve into the twists and turns of knitting a slip-slip knit decrease, providing step-by-step instructions and valuable tips to help you achieve professional and polished results in your knitting projects.
Understanding the Slip-Slip Knit Decrease
The slip-slip decrease is a technique commonly used to create left-leaning decreases in knitting. It is usually used to make sleeves, socks, caps, etc. It is often abbreviated as "SSK" in knitting patterns. By slipping two stitches individually and then knitting them together, you effectively decrease the stitch count by one while maintaining an attractive, slanted appearance.
For practice start with a swatch. Cast on stitches on your knitting needles. Knit or purl for a few rows. Now follow the instructions.
Step-by-Step Guide to Knitting a Slip Slip Knit Decrease:
- Identify the stitches: Locate the two stitches in your knitting pattern that you need to decrease. These stitches are typically denoted as "SSK" or "slip slip knit."
- Slip the first stitch: Insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle as if you were going to knit it, but instead, simply slide it onto the right needle without knitting it. This creates a slipped stitch.
- Slip the second stitch: Repeat the same process for the second stitch. Insert the right needle into the second stitch on the left needle as if you were going to knit it, and then slide it onto the right needle without knitting.
- Position the slipped stitches: With the two slipped stitches now on the right needle, insert the left needle into the front loops of the slipped stitches from left to right.
- Knit the slipped stitches together: With the left needle positioned in the front loops of the slipped stitches, insert the right needle through both loops from left to right. Wrap the yarn around the right needle and pull it through the loops, knitting the slipped stitches together.
- Slide the completed stitch: After knitting the slipped stitches together, slide them off the left needle. You have successfully completed a slip-slip decrease.
With this, you can use the knitting decrease technique for all your projects. Ensure that the tension in your hand on the thread remains consistent throughout the decrease to prevent loose or tight stitches. Whether you are an English style or Continental Style knitter, make sure to work with tension that allows the yarn to flow smoothly.
Alternatives to SSK
Knit 2 Together (k2tog): This is a standard right-leaning decrease. Insert the right needle into the next two stitches on the left needle as if to knit, and then knit them together.
Slip Slip Purl (ssp): This is a variation of ssk that creates a left-leaning decrease with a slightly different appearance. Slip the first stitch as if to knit, slip the second stitch as if to purl, then insert the left needle into the front loops of both slipped stitches and purl them together.
Centered Double Decrease: This decrease creates a centered double decrease that leans neither left nor right. Slip the next two stitches together as if to knit, knit the next stitch, then pass the slipped stitches over the knit stitch.
Slip Knit Pass (skp): Slip the first stitch as if to knit, knit the next stitch, then pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch. This creates a left-leaning decrease similar to ssk.
CDD (Centered Double Decrease): Slip the next two stitches together as if to knit, knit the next stitch, then pass the slipped stitches over the knit stitch. This creates a centered double decrease.
K2tog Through Back Loop (k2tog tbl): Insert the right needle into the back loops of the next two stitches on the left needle as if to knit, and then knit them together. This creates a left-leaning decrease.
Slip 1, Knit 1, Pass Slipped Stitch Over (skp): Slip the first stitch as if to knit, knit the next stitch, then pass the slipped stitch over the knit stitch. This creates a left-leaning decrease.
Remember that different decreases can affect the appearance of your knitting, so it's a good idea to experiment and choose the one that best fits your project and desired outcome.
Knitting the slip-slip decrease is a great technique that adds elegance and symmetry to your projects. Following the step-by-step guide outlined in this blog post and implementing the tips, you can achieve professional-looking results in your knitting attempt. Remember, practice makes perfect, so take time to familiarize yourself with the technique and experiment with it on various projects. Keep trying different patterns with scrap yarn first, and when you get your hands on it, start a complete project using the pattern you choose. With dedication and perseverance, you'll soon find yourself confidently incorporating the slip-slip decrease into your knitting repertoire, creating beautiful and intricate designs that showcase your skills as a knitter.