Knitting Double Decreases 【１０】 Must-Know Techniques

10 Different Ways to decrease two stitches, classified into 5 pairs:

1. K3TOG-SSSK: Left-slanting and right-slanting double decreases knitwise.
2. K2SP-SK2P: Left-slanting and right-slanting double decreases knitwise.
3. S2PP - S2KP: Centered double decreases.
4. SSSP - P3TOG: Left-slanting and right-slanting double decreases purlwise.
5. P2SP - SP2P: Left-slanting and right-slanting double decreases purlwise.

If you are a new beginner, please visit the link for detailed written instructions and step-by-step tutorial photos 👉   K3TOG-P3TOG, SSSK-SSSP, S2KP-S2PP, SK2P-SP2P, K2SP-P2SP.

Here are quick guides on how to knit double decreases for knitters who already know how to knit basic stitches such as knit, purl, k2tog, p2tog, slip stitch knitwise, and slip stitch purlwise.

🧶 K3TOG - SSSK

Category: Mastering Essential Techniques

To work the K3TOG: Insert right needle into the first three stitches on the left needle from left to right, just like you would to knit a single stitch. Knit three stitches together. 

To work the SSSK: Slip 3 stitches knitwise from the left needle to the right needle one at a time. Put the tip of the left needle into the three slipped stitches on the right needle from left to right and and keeping the left needle in front. Wrap the working yarn counter clockwise around the right needle. Knit them together through the back legs. 

🧶 P3TOG - SSSP

Category: Mastering Essential Techniques

To work the P3TOG: With the working yarn in front, put the right needle into the first three stitches on the left needle from right to left. Purl three stitches together.

To work the SSSP: With the working yarn in front, slip three stitches knitwise from the left needle to the right needle one at a time. Slip these stitches purlwise back to the left hand. Insert the tip of the right needle into the three slipped stitches on the left needle from back to front. Purl them together through the back legs.

🧶 S2KP - S2PP

Category: Mastering Essential Techniques

To work the S2KP: Slip two stitches knitwise from left hand to the right needle at once. Knit the next stitch. Use the tip of left needle to lift up the slipped stitches and pass them over the stitch you just knitted and off the right needle. This results in a centered double decrease.

To work the S2PP: With the working yarn in front, slip one stitch knitwise, slip next 2 stitches knitwise from the left needle to the right needle at once. Slip all stitches knitwise back the left needle at once. Put the right needle into these stitches on the left needle from right to left. Purl three stitches together.

🧶 K2SP - SK2P

Category: Mastering Essential Techniques

To work the K2SP: Slip next two stitches knitwise from the left needle to the right needle, one at a time. Slip two stitches knitwise back to left needle at once. Insert the right needle into the first three stitches on the left needle from left to right. Knit three stitches together.  

To work the SK2P: Slip next stitch knitwise from the left needle to the right needle. Knit two stitches together. Use the tip of left needle to lift up the second stitch and pass it over the first stitch and off the right needle.

🧶 P2SP - SP2P

Category: Mastering Essential Techniques

To work the P2SP: With the working yarn in front, slip one stitch purlwise then slip next two stitches knitwise from the left needle to the right needle one at a time. Slip two stitches knitwise at once and slip next stitch purlwise back to left needle. Put the right needle into three stitches on the left needle from right to left. Purl these stitches together.

To work SP2P: With the working yarn in front, slip one stitch purlwise, slip next two stitches knitwise one at a time. Slip these stitches purlwise back to left needle. Insert the right needle into the three stitches on the left need through the back loops from back to front. Purl these stitches together through the back legs.

That are 10 different ways to decrease two stitches. Choose the method that best suits your project to achieve the desired results.

To learn these techniques with visual tutorials , click on the images below:

Step-by-step Tutorials

Honestly, while writing this series of tutorials, I felt as if my mind were lost in the matrix!