Comparing SSK, SKP, and K2tog tbl // Technique Tuesday

This video demonstrates and compares different left-leaning single decreases: twisted, semi-twisted, and untwisted.
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To jump to a specific point in the video, click on the adjacent time stamped link:
Introduction 0:00
Three basic left-leaning decreases: 0:47
K2tog tbl: 2:12
SKP/sl 1-k1-psso: 3:13
SSK: 4:15
Modified SSK, version 1 (sl 1 knitwise, sl 1 purlwise): 5:22
Modified SSK, version 2 (no slipping): 6:22
Modified SSK, version 3 (ktbl on next row): 7:55
TECHknitter's SYTK: 9:46
Tips & Tricks: 11:16
TECHknitter's SYTK decrease on her blog: techknitting.blogspot.com/2007...
Instructions for the non-shrinking decrease swatch can be found here: www.ravelry.com/discuss/rox-r...
Ravelry Group *Rox Rocks*: www.ravelry.com/groups/rox-rocks
Facebook: / roxknits
Twitter: / roxmpls

[@kirstymcleod6647]

as ever, your tips are so useful...even 5 years on! Thank you!

[@peterzmom]

Thank you so very much for doing these videos. I am new knitter, and love knitting. Your videos are the reason I can really learn about knitting, and not just sit down an knit yards and yards of scarves for the rest of my life. Have a Blessed Day. Ginger

[@Serenity-fu8xz]

Oh my goodness thank you I couldn’t stand the net two together and I’m so over the moon about this new stitch thank you so so much the one where you slip Knitwise the next stitch and then slip the first stitch over the second thank you thank you thank you beautiful beautiful beautiful

[@bikihonko1468]

Thank you! I didn’t know that for the past 30 years of being a lone knitter that I was doing SSK incorrectly. I assumed that the slipping of the stitches was done purlwise. The first time I encountered SSK, I was mystified as to what the pattern was telling me. It was an old xerox copy of a pattern where the glossary hadn’t been copied. So I slipped a stitch, slipped a second stitch and knitted the third stitch. Made no sense to me, and then my stitch count was off, and I had weird looking stitches... my mother in law explained what SSK meant, assuming I knew to slip the stitches knitwise.

[@chj127]

Wow, great demonstration of the different methods! You always explain things so clearly. Thanks again!

[@jonesbo4072]

Great video and so helpful having an explanation of all the left leaning decreases. Thank you once again Roxanne.

[@garboabbott9974]

Great demo and thanks for the swatch instructions!

[@maryannbergeron9531]

Your explanations and visual are very helpful. Thank you so much

[@DCFunBud]

This was an excellent presentation. The visuals were very clear and the sections were divided for easy access. The explanations with the pros and cons of each decrease were well articulated.

[@StarryNightKnitting]

Hi Roxanne. I have just watched a few of your videos/tutorials with ribbing and now decreasing and I must tell you how wonderfully you explain things and simplify what many tutorials seem to make more complicated. You really are an amazing teacher and knitter! Thank you!! ~~~Jo

[@rebeccagaines5308]

Great videos! Thanks for showing the variations! As a new knitter, it was very easy to follow!

[@genevievechamberland3065]

You are a great Instructor. Thank you!

[@CatFromFL]

Awesome demo and such clear instructions.

[@asieknits]

This was just what I needed. Thank you so much!!

[@user-tc8lj4tj4d]

Thank you! It’s really helpful. Now I can choose to use SSK instead of K2tog tbl to make my socks look nicer !

[@somedayknits]

This was so helpful!! I just learned so much!

[@annh.8290]

Thank you, this was exactly the information I have been needing!

[@RoxanneRichardson]

You are so welcome!

[@fernashes]

Thank you for putting this together! I was wondering about the difference between ssk and k2tog tbl - I learned so much more. :)

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Glad it was helpful!

[@tezater]

Wow, lot of information, but very helpful! Thankyou!

[@priscillamcgarry5200]

Thank you so much. Video was very helpful

[@nicolelafontaine1720]

Thank you so much, I love your open-mindedness, it is so good to have options. I can now understand the difference I often found between French and English patterns. Most French pattern I have seen use the SKP for the left leanning decrease (surjeté simple) and I was always wondering how it is differnet from the often seen SSK in English patterns. One more occasion to have fun swatching. Gratitude to you !

[@sebastianvalentin3366]

You all prolly dont give a damn but does any of you know a trick to get back into an instagram account?? I was stupid forgot my password. I appreciate any help you can give me.

[@andreamoore7035]

The way I learned working the LL decrease on the purl side of those stitches was to re-orient the stitches on the needle. It is very awkward to work, but they do not end up twisted. Annie Modesitt has a video that teaches you to wrap your yarn the other way when knitting the stitches, so they are facing to the right. It supposedly takes out some slack. To be honest, I enjoyed the animation and drama as much as the option.

[@deannakent600]

You do rock

[@indiezee]

I love this, it's so helpful

[@marymcafee9496]

I love your explanation-so clear. I do have a problem with decrease on sleeve. The pattern is K1,P2, K2, p2, k1. I don't know where to decrease in this.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

It depends on where the "seamline" (end of round/beginning of round transition) is within than pattern. I would probably pick a knit column that is at or near the seamline and then maintain that column of knits, leaning them away from the seamline (for each decrease -- one near the EOR and one at the BOR). This video might help kzbin.info/www/bejne/pl7UfXqcpb2sp9k

[@anncarrigan]

FYI. Kastner Auctions will have the vintage patterns found at Mary Borgstrom (potters) house. The auction will end June 15th. Not sure about preview dates. Ann

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Yep, I'm aware. I signed up to be able to bid on that auction. :-)

[@michellelindgren8419]

Hi Rox. I’ve only known about SSK and SKP. Thanks for this information. Different decreases might work better depending on the yarn, gauge, and project.

[@erikalind972]

I always use k2tog tbl but only because I purl clockwise which will twist the stitches, and then on the next row using k2tog tbl will untwist it so no twisted stitch exists afterward.

[@theastewart6721]

Very informative and interesting video. I think the regular SSK looks the neatest. I like your tip for getting rid of the slack too. Very helpful. I have one person who does her SSK’s always slipping both stitches purl wise. Have you ever heard of this?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

There isn’t any point in slipping both as if to purl because the stitch mount doesn’t change. Her result is the same as k2tog tbl. Might as well do that and save steps, if she doesn’t mind the twisted result.

[@theastewart6721]

Thanks for explaining that to me. I will do the SSK your way because that’s how I always do it plus your tip of tightening up the slack. This person is the only one I’ve ever seen do a SSK Purl wise. I think I’ll also make a swatch for fun to see all the differences. It just seemed so strange to see an SSK done that way. Thanks again Roxanne!

[@tephralynn]

Have you tried what Cat Bordhi calls "hungry stitch" for stacked ssks? She has a video for it here on KZbin, "slim and trim ssk". I've done it, omitting the twist in the ssk on the following row because I cannot abide twisted stitches where they aren't called for design-wise. I thought it worked nicely, but it definitely requires planning and attention.

[@MrsMelrom]

I was just about to mention this, Cat Bordhi for socks, especially gusset decreases because it is very important for me to keep even tension in negative ease.

[@anv4262]

Hi Roxanne, thank you for all your videos with very clear explanation on many topics. As one knits raglan decreases (bottom up), is there a standard way to do that (always SSK - K2TOG or reversed).I have consulted already several knitting books, but cannot find "a standard". What is usual the most beautiful choice?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

There is no standard, there is only the guidance to be consistent about the choice, because each method has aesthetic value, each will be useful in different scenarios, and any given knitter will vary regarding which they prefer. I would suggest doing two swatches. In one, create raglan lines using ssk first and k2tog second; in the other use k2tog first and ssk second. You might also see what you think if you have a knit stitch or two between the decreases, and how that affects the result for each one.

[@anv4262]

@@RoxanneRichardson I will do that and also follow your tip about knitting the stitches to the tip of the needles and taking away a little slack by pulling to the back with SSK. Thank you so much for your answer, you are a fantastic teacher! Have a nice weekend, An from Belgium

[@karenrichmond7547]

Do you have any advice for eliminating ladders when a SSK follows a purl stitch when knitting in the round. I dont have ladders when I SSK after a knit stitch. I am a continental knitter and a Norwegian purler. Thanks for your help!

[@tezater]

I wonder if any of you could help me. I have a pattern that says: 42 sts in rev St st, k2tog, MiR, 8 st in St st, M1R, skp, 42 sts in rev ST st. When I am increasing and decresing on the left side, I keep getting a hole. I have changed the M1R st with the invisible increase that Rosanne recommends in another video, but I keep getting a hole between the Stokinette stitch and the following Reverse Stokinette stitch. Does anybody know why? Thanks!

[@andreamiller6200]

I was wondering what circumstances would you choose to do TECHknitter's SYTK in for a left-leaning decrease - you mentioned in this video that you have sometimes used it.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

I've used it when I've done side-by-side decreases to form the decrease line on a peasant heel. I have a video on that on my channel. You can find it in the playlist on peasant heels.

[@NYKnitter]

Oh my goodness , this could be a dumb question and I have been sitting here trying to imagine making the stitch , staring at my sample , pertaining to your video there was slip (as if to knit) slip (as if to purl ) , knit though the back loops. (top untwisted, bottom twisted) , is this the same effect , JUST EXECUTED differently? than the version 2 modified ssk, where you enter as if to knit , enter second stitch from my right to left , yarn over , then follow my path I have taken back through?

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Yes, the result is the same, just a slightly different process.

[@NYKnitter]

@@RoxanneRichardson thank you so much , I love how you approach things. Not to mention how quickly you answered on this older video. :-o I find comfort in knowing the math , ratios and how and why stitches are formed a certain way no matter if it is needlework, knitting, crochet

[@fabiolagonzalez3970]

Thank you so much for the great lesson. I have a question. I have a German pattern that have a symbol that look like an indian tipi, like an arrow head pointing to the sky, like this ^ but bigger and with long legs not flying, and with a number 2 inside of it. What does it mean?? I have found a place in Internet that says it means P2together. I have found other place that says it is a "vertical decreasse". What do you think? How I should knit this symbol??? Thank you!! 🤗🙋‍♀️🇨🇱❤️🌼🌹🌸

[@RoxanneRichardson]

It probably means 2 sts decreased to 1 st. Whether that means k2tog or p2tog depends on what the sts were to begin with, and what stitch is shown in the chart above this symbol. Any pattern that uses a chart should include a key that defines what the symbols are.

[@fabiolagonzalez3970]

@@RoxanneRichardson Thank you so much for your reply!! Above the symbol (next row) are always a symbol - I have found the symbol - means purl. I have notice this symbol (the arrow head with the 2 inside) is always on a row that is located on the Wrong Side of the fabric. Yes!! The charts have always a key for the symbols, but the ones that appear are in German, and there are 3 symbols that they not included 😕 I have solved 2 of them, I only have the doubt about "the tipi" one. 🙃 I think is a Purl 2 together???? Thank you for your kindly answer ❤️🌼🌹

[@sage0925]

I'm a little confused about your original ssk (4:15). I've seen videos where they slip 2, as if to knit, then do a regular knit off the right needle (you have to manipulate the needles, left to the front after you pick up the stitches). Is this essentially the same thing you're doing by going into the 2 stitches with the left needle to the right? I'm thinking not, but I'm a little dyslexic, so I'm not sure.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

This is the sort of question you can actually answer yourself, by trying it out and comparing the results. (I had never seen what you were describing, so I picked up the swatch I have lying around for just this purpose, and tried it out.) Doing the comparison yourself, and then watching what's going on as you do it leads to a much deeper understanding of how knitting works than if I just tell you the answer. If you find that both methods produce the same result, then you get to decide which method you prefer.

[@elkeeffler173]

Hello Roxanne, I’m having no luck at all with a pattern that requires decrease both left and right in 1 x 1 rib. I have to pick up 106 stitches around the armholes and decrease leaning both left and right with a single row of knit stitch running through the decreases like a spine. The spine with decreases starts in the middle of the bottom of the armhole. I’m not getting it. Do you have any solutions, please? I need to add that the pattern requires the knitting to be worked on a circular needle.

[@RoxanneRichardson]

This video on decreasing while maintaining a ribbing pattern might be helpful. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYfHh3agbbinsMk If not, post your question in a new discussion thread, along with some photos to show us what you're having difficulty with.

[@vcteacher9814]

Purl row decrease

[@RoxanneRichardson]

Is that a question? Request? I do have videos on purl decreases. here is one: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fpXRZYOOna2NqZI

[@lindamcneely]

what is your favorite decrease for knitting socks and do you have a sock vido using magic loop from beginning to the end? have you heard of the kfb and instead of knitting through the back like normal you simply slip it. that gets rid of the that bump that normally comes with the kfb.

[@donnabeaton4707]

VintGe patterns. www.beautifulskills.com/2016/07/online-archive-of-vintage-knitting.html

[@yvonnejenkins4357]

Too much information. I would prefer just plain steps