Stitch · Decrease · First project
Slip, slip, knit (ssk): the left-leaning mirror of k2tog
Ssk removes a stitch and leans the column to the left, which makes it the correct partner for k2tog on any symmetric shaping line. The basic version leaves a slightly twisted stitch at the base; the modified version fixes it, and the difference is visible in any yarn thicker than fingering.
Published Abbreviation ssk
- ^decrease
- Vknit
At a glance
- Symbol∧
- Abbreviationssk
- TypeStitch
- FamilyDecrease
- LevelFirst project
Working chart
| Step | Round / row | Stitches |
|---|---|---|
| Cast on 20 sts and knit 2 rows Set up a plain base first. | - | 20 |
| k8, ssk, k8, ssk Slip 1 knitwise, slip 1 knitwise, insert left needle into both fronts, knit. | 3 | 18 |
| Purl one row No shaping. | 4 | 18 |
| Repeat the decrease row once more Compare with the k2tog swatch: the columns lean opposite ways. | 5 | 16 |
| Block both swatches flat Slip the two stitches purlwise in a modified ssk to remove the twisted leg at the base. | 6 | 16 |
Measurements
| Needle (mm) | Sts / 10 cm | Decrease slope |
|---|---|---|
| 3.25 | 26 | left |
| 4.00 | 22 | left |
| 4.50 | 20 | left |
| 5.50 | 16 | left |
Yarn and yardage
| Yarn weight | Yarn saved per 10 ssk | Finished width of decrease |
|---|---|---|
| Fingering (4-ply) | 0.7 m | 1 stitch |
| DK | 0.9 m | 1 stitch |
| Worsted | 1.1 m | 1 stitch |
| Chunky | 1.5 m | 1 stitch |
The standard version
Slip the next two stitches from the left needle to the right needle one at a time, both as if to knit. Then insert the left needle into the front legs of both slipped stitches and knit them together.
Both stitches have been reversed relative to their orientation on the needle, so the right-hand stitch of the pair ends up on top. That produces a column leaning left.
Why the base looks twisted
Slipping knitwise rotates each stitch a half turn. When you then knit the pair, the two legs at the base of the decrease sit at an angle rather than lying flat, and a small, tight bump appears.
In fingering weight nobody will see it. In worsted or chunky it shows as a dark pinprick at the base of every decrease on the left-hand raglan line, and on a 240-stitch yoke with 36 decrease stitches that is a lot of pinpricks.
The modified ssk
Slip the first stitch knitwise as usual, then slip the second stitch purlwise. Return both to the left needle without twisting, then knit them together through the back loops. The loops no longer rotate twice and the base sits flat.
Some knitters skip the return step and simply slip one knitwise and one purlwise, then knit through the back loops directly. Either is correct; pick one and use it consistently so the decreases match across a pair of sleeves.
Pairing with k2tog
For a symmetric raglan, use ssk on the leading edge and k2tog on the trailing edge of each line, or the reverse, as long as both sides of the garment mirror. On a top-down yoke worked in the round, the two decreases at each of the four raglan lines should face each other.
Getting this wrong does not affect fit at all - the stitch count is identical - but it is immediately visible when the sweater is worn, because one raglan line reads as a clean arrow and the other does not.