Every knitter needs to know how to make the slip, slip, knit decrease (abbreviated as SSK).
In this knitting tutorial, I’ll explain what this decrease does and what to expect from the SSK. I’ll also demonstrate how to SSK, and provide tips to make a neater SSK.
By the end of this post, you’ll feel confident knitting the SSK decrease. Let’s get started!
Table of Contents
What Does the SSK Decrease Do?
In a previous post on the K2tog decrease, I mentioned that it decreases one stitch in your knitting and it creates shape. The SSK is no different in this regard.
In many knitting patterns, decreases are paired with other knitting decreases to create a particular shape. For example, decreases in the knit the crown create the hat shape.
The Perfect Beret pattern below is an example of this as the knitting pattern specifically uses the SSK and the K2TOG decreases. It’s not just specific to knit hats, though. Paired decreases are also commonly used in knitting sock toes (or Christmas stockings), raglan sweaters, and more.
using different knitting decreases together
Use Rowan Felted Tweed yarn, Berroco Millefiori Light yarn, or Cascade 220 Superwash DK for this knitting project.
More free Knitted Hat Patterns here.
You can also pair knitting decreases with knitting increases to make more interesting and complex stitch designs. From functional cotton dishcloths to warm knit shawls, you can pair increases and decreases to create just about anything. I’ll provide some examples later on in this post.
Finally, you’ll make SSK decreases on the right side (RS) of your knitting, on knit side rows. When made correctly, they create a left-leaning decrease. Let’s talk about this for a minute.
SSK is a Left Leaning Decrease
How a knitted decrease leans depends on the order of the stitches as they’re worked into the decrease and which stitch ends up on top.
Now, you can place SSKs on the left side or the right side of your knitting, or the left or right side of your stitch pattern repeat. What doesn’t change is the lean of the decrease. Where it’s placed, though, will determine how visible it is in your knitting.
If you’re a visual learner like I am, then it always helps to see it.
Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK) Decrease
Any search on the internet will show you different ways to knit the SSK decrease. In this knitting tutorial, I’ll focus on the standard way to slip, slip, knit decrease.
The standard method is the one accepted and required by The Knitting Guild of America for their courses, especially if you’re wanting to become a certified TKGA Master Knitter. It’s also the standard accepted by the Craft Yarn Council (CYC).
Now, to knit this standard method, it’s important to know that the slip, slip, knit (ssk) decrease combines two different knitting techniques – slipping a stitch and knitting through the back loop (KTBL).
For this knitting tutorial, I’ve made a small knit swatch in stockinette stitch. I long tail cast on 20 stitches on size 8 ChiaoGoo knitting needles and used worsted weight wool yarn.
If you want to knit your own practice swatch, which I highly recommend, any yarn weight will do. Just be sure to check your yarn label for the recommended knitting needle sizes.
These are the knitting tools I used:
Now, let’s look at how to knit the SSK decrease.
How to SSK
On the right side (RS) of your knitting, knit to the location where you want to place your SSK decrease. I’ve marked it with a purple stitch marker.
Now, slip the next two stitches knitwise, one by one, from your left needle to your right needle. In other words, insert your right needle into the stitch as if to knit but, instead, slip each stitch off the left needle to the right. Do this twice.
Then, insert your left knitting needle through the front of both stitches as shown below.
Remember, your right knitting needle does the knitting. Take note of how, with the left needle in front, the right needle points through the back loops of the two slipped stitches.
Wrap the yarn as usual around the right needle and knit two together through the back loop. Slide the decreased stitch off the needle. You have now decreased your knitting by one single stitch.
Slipping the stitches knitwise changes the orientation of the stitches and twists them. Knitting them together through the back loop reorients them.
Now, let’s look at the angle of this knitting decrease.
slip, slip, knit (SSK) decreases at beginning of row
When you knit this decrease, the first stitch is still first so it lands on top, while the second stitch fades behind it. In this case, the SSK creates a left leaning decrease.
Here, the SSK decreases occur every other right side row (EORSR). Knitting EORSR creates a slow lean in your knitting.
Knitting a Neater SSK Decrease
It’s very easy to stretch the stitches in an SSK knit decrease, as the knitted swatch shows below. I’ve marked the regular sized decreases in black and the stretched stitches in red arrows.
The best way to avoid stretching your SSK decrease is to slip the stitches on your needle tips to avoid stretching out the SSK decrease stitch.
How to Unknit the SSK
Now that you know how to SSK, I’m going to teach you how to unknit the SSK. I’ll show you step-by-step in this photo tutorial below how to undo a slip, slip, knit.
Take note of the two loops below the stitch on the needle.
To unknit an SSK decrease, turn your knitting to the wrong side. From the image above, take note of the two loops just below the stitch on the left needle.
Next, insert your right needle into the two stitch loops from front to back beginning with the stitch below. In the image above, I’ve purposely angled my needle to show how you insert the needle through the loops from below.
Once you have picked up the two stitch loops onto the right needle, you can safely slip the stitch off of the left needle. Pull the yarn free from the stitch.
Now, if this were the K2TOG, you’d be done. Not with the SSK. Remember, when you made the SSK, you twisted the stitches as you slipped them, So, now, you have to twist them back to properly orient them.
As shown in the image above, insert your right needle into the first stitch from below and slip it to the right needle. This will return the stitch to its original position. Repeat this step for the second stitch as well.
You’ve done it, or rather, undone it! That was easy, right? Now, let’s talk about how you can practice your SSK with some free knitting patterns.
Free Knit Patterns Using the Slip, Slip, Knit
What good would a knitting lesson be without a few easy knitting patterns to practice on. With these free knitting patterns, you can practice your SSK decreases and see them in action.
Bias Mesh Stripe Wrap
Here’s a fun knit scarf pattern that’s knit on the bias. You’ll get to practice knitting 2 together, yarn overs, and slip slip knit decreases. The knitted wrap pattern features an eyelet knit fabric and uses self-striping yarn.
Use Premier Spun Colors Yarn or try Caron Cakes Self-Striping yarn for this knitted wrap.
More free knitted scarf patterns here.
Belgian Waffle Dishcloth
Who doesn’t love quick knitting projects that are also functional? Like this free knit cotton dishcloth. It features a beautiful stitch pattern that gives you a chance to practice both SSKs and K2TOGs.
Try Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn or Knit Picks Dishie yarn for this cotton dishcloth.
Learn about cotton yarn here and find more free knit dishcloths:
Double Broken Rib Knitted Washcloth Pattern
Happy Accident Knit Washcloth Pattern
Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK) FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the slip, slip, knit decrease.
What Does SSK Mean in Knitting?
When you’re reading a knitting pattern and it tells you to ssk, it means you’ll slip, slip, knit. The SSK will decrease your knitting by one stitch and create a left leaning decrease.
As shown in the tutorial above, you’ll need to slip two stitches, one by one, knitwise. You’ll then knit the two stitches through the back loop.
What Does the Abbreviation SSK Mean?
The knitting abbreviation SSK means to slip, slip knit. It’s also the standard abbreviation accepted and used by the Craft Yarn Council.
Each letter in this abbreviation indicates the different steps for this knitting technique. That’s an easy way to remember what the SSK stands for.
What is the Knitting Chart Symbol for the SSK?
Since the SSK is a left leaning decrease, it stands to reason that the knitting chart symbol slants to the left (\). In the image below, you’ll see both the knit side (SSK) and the purl side, the slip, slip, purl (SSP), standard knit chart symbols.
Which Way Does the SSK Lean?
As discussed earlier, the SSK creates a left leaning decrease in your knitting. An easy way to remember which way the SSK leans is to familiarize yourself with the knitting chart symbol, as shown above.
If you’re not familiar with using knitting charts, don’t worry. There are several other ways to remember how your SSK leans.
One way to remember which way the SSK leans is to look at the order of your stitches as they go into the decrease. As you slip the stitches and twist them, they move to the right, but when you actually knit them, they move to the left.
Another way to remember which way the slip, slip, knit leans is to look at the direction in which your knitting needles point. When you make the SSK, your right needle ends up pointing left as you knit the stitches through the back loop. Your finished SSK will lean to the left.
Finally, an easy way to remember that your SSK is a left leaning decrease is this. When you knit the SSK, your left needle goes into the left leg of the stitch, so your knitting decreases to the left.
What is the Purl Equivalent of the SSK?
The slip, slip, purl (SSP) is the purl equivalent of the SSK, which occurs on the wrong side of your knitting.
Is the SSK the same as the K2TOG TBL?
While the knit two together through the back loop (K2TOG TBL) is also a left leaning decrease, it is NOT the same as the Slip, Slip, Knit decrease (SSK). The main difference between them is that the SSK reorients the stitches, while the K2TOG TBL does not.
On the one hand, the K2TOG TBL leaves the stitches twisted. The SSK first twists the stitches then reorients them by knitting through the back loop.
You can find our tutorial on how to K2TOG TBL here.
I hope you enjoyed this blog post and the in-depth tutorials shown here. Be sure to check out my other knitting tutorials here. These tutorials feature step-by-step instructions and contain tons of big pictures to easily see each step clearly.
Want more free patterns? You’ll find an assortment of knitting projects here. Also, please check out the patterns in my shop or on Ravelry. Each has been thoroughly tech edited by a certified tech editor.
Now that you know how to decrease a stitch using the SSK, all that’s left is for you to go out and try it for yourself. I’ve also added a post comparing the SSK vs K2TOG, which you can find here. Check it out.
Still have questions? Drop me a comment below and I’ll do my best to help you.
