Neater SSKs Using the Easing Method - A Sockmatician Tutorial

Ever wondered why your lines of SSKs don't look as tidy as your lines of K2togs? Ever wanted to overcome that? Well, here is the definitive answer to those issues. It's all about easing. And no, it's not about twisting one of the stitches...! Watch this tutorial. The method is as simple as it is effective, and will transform your sock gussets and your lace knitting instantly and forever. What have you got to lose?

[@judithcarter3471]

Thankyou…..my knitting will be forever changed! You are a brilliant knitter and designer!

[@gayecairns7904]

Finally, an accurate explanation of why the SSK is not like a K2tog. Excellent. I am now going to rip back the toe of the sock that I am working on and try this method. Thank you so much. 🙏👏

[@mandyelliott5162]

Finally! An end to my hatred of the ssk. You are my new hero 😊

[@janeedwards7193]

Love that you’ve explained the reason for the ‘baggy’ stitch on SSK. My SSKs are looking so much neater using this technique. Thank you Nathan 😊

[@beagare2197]

Give it a good old tug I say! Works really, really well. Thanks Nathan.

[@elizaconstantino1354]

I am going to try this now!!! I have to tink as I mixed my k2tog and ssk in my current project. I love the explanation, it will remain in the memory Edited: tried it and it really works!!!!! And I tried it in another project, the explanation does stay in the memory.

[@sohzingheu7856]

Not only you're a sockmatician, you're a magician!!! That's amazing.

[@shonawarwick3259]

So simple. I've just been totally confused by another method. Thank you!

[@tessaw7549]

Brilliant! Can't wait to try this in my next project.

[@russellhoag4548]

Love seeing your videos. We need to. See you more often 😍🥰😘

[@deedawson6074]

Nathan, so lovely to find this, been wondering how you are. Met you in New Zealand and you said I reminded you of a friend of yours. Great memories of KAN. Hoping this finds you in good health and sending love from NZ.

[@bdarci]

I’m using this method on my sock toe now. I’m really pleased with the result. Thank you.

[@Sockmatician]

I’m so glad it’s helped out!

[@easterisa]

Excellent tip, thank you. I really appreciate you teachings.

[@dr.evelynsharp2351]

Love it!! Can't wait to try but it also shows me how to look at my knitting if I see any other problems. Love it!

[@Sockmatician]

YES! Good for you! If you can accurately identify what is actually causing any issues, you can work out how to fix them. That’s what this is all about!

[@ewekneekness2576]

Nathan Taylor, I would have you know that you are totally missed in action!🌹 I hope you are well and in great spirits.🙏🏿❤

[@Sockmatician]

I'm well, thank you for asking! I've been very busy with writing my latest book, and doing lots of acting work, so I haven't had much time for the socials! I hope you are well.

[@margaretburt9947]

Came across your method of ssk and it is the only one that works simply. Other ssk methods I’ve tried do work and look neat but are very difficult to achieve with my arthritic fingers. So thank you very much for your help!

[@user-ei1gr4pz5i]

So helpful. Now i really understand. Thank you so much

[@pattishanks3788]

Thank you! I’m really looking forward to trying this method.

[@jo-annefalconer6280]

THANKS Love that you’ve explained the reason for the ‘baggy’ stitch on SS

[@bdavis7801]

Thank you for this! It helps a lot!

[@aletrisvazquez2526]

I love your tutorials! Your thorough explanations help with understanding the why behind issues and solutions. Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge and expertise!!

[@rebeccaknudsen6190]

So perfect! Thanks for improving knitting the world over! You're quite genius of course❤❤❤

[@tammybrassard2395]

Oddly I've been doing SSK's on a pair of socks this morning so I watched this thinking 'yeah, sure, this will be stupid'. Guess what? Not stupid, very easy and intuitive. Thanks, Nathan.

[@Sockmatician]

I’m so pleased it’s helped!

[@bunkyman8097]

I knew there had to be a better SSK. this is great. Thank you!

[@sandrabakerwarnerbakerwarn3782]

doing the master hand knitting course as part of my Master visual art and this video makes complete sense and is brilliant.

[@Sockmatician]

I'm so glad you found it helpful. Good luck with the course: I know it's a LOT of work!

[@marybutler9581]

I love you! Thank you so much for them demonstration of why SSK can look so sloppy.

[@susaniacuone5758]

Nathan you're a bone fide genius

[@Wendy-kh3hg]

That was so well explained it made sense giving a perfect result. Thank you for sharing.

[@R.a.p.h.a.e.l.a]

This is brilliant. So simple and so effective. Thanks!

[@violapinkgin]

You do a little bit too much talking but the explanations of the stitches of how they work were very helpful. Ive always wondered why not knit 2 tog instead but youve explained very well with your clear accent. A BIG THANKYOU. 🧶🪡🧶

[@russellsansom1673]

Fabulous Nathan! Thank you

[@Amethyst1919]

Brilliant!

[@ewekneekness2576]

Brilliant! That's all I have to say. That's the whole comment. 😁

[@thechosenvoice3472]

I love your videos and your way of teaching!! Thank you so much! Keep them coming!!!

[@lynnehume9468]

Wow what a massive difference! Thanks 👍🏼

[@carolsze6559]

Thank you. It will definitely make eyelet patterns more even

[@carrynpimm2007]

This is an AMAZING tutorial. Thank you so much!

[@jeaninegunn4118]

OOHH thank you for this - my next pair of socks will look even better!

[@FaydraJones]

Brilliant!! Thanks so much for sharing your technique ❤👏❤

[@andreamiller6200]

What a gorgeous result and so astoundingly simple once I see it. My next question: I love the yarnovers in this sample piece between the lines of k2tog and SSK - how did you get them so uniform in size on each side, and how did you get them to go from larger to smaller in size as you continue to knit up in the piece?

[@teresaharp]

Great info thank you 😄!

[@watsonspuzzle]

Just saw your update on the book, Nathan, and I'm so excited. I want that book!

[@PeggySue-RL]

Wonderful exploration. Watching from cold Maine USA

[@WombatofDOOM53]

Looks great! I'm definitely going to try it out on my next project!

[@betsybartleson5367]

Thank you!! Fantastic accent as well! Especially 'wobble wobble wobble'!

[@takaela]

nice! as a combination knitter, my stitches are usually the wrong way round on the needles, so my SSKs are neater than my K2ts... my usual trick with lace knitting is to be sure to knit with the next row in mind, and make the direction of the stitch match what i need i to do next. i will have to experiment!

[@Sockmatician]

A similar approach should help with combination k2tog. See if you can use the same technique, and see if it works for you.

[@sharifrey]

Loving your videos and Ebook! ❤ You are an inspiration. Thank you!!❤

[@vivienneclarke2421]

I love this~thank you~!!🧶🥢

[@robyn4188]

Awesome detail fix! Thank you so!

[@louisegallagher7612]

Brilliant!. Works a treat. Thanks very much.

[@fredquinn3919]

Wonderful Tutorial!!! Thanks...(any updates on the newest book-double knitted brioche?)

[@abergeron1965]

Great tutorial. as always. Thank you!

[@brenpitch]

Thank you! I hope I remember to do this.

[@faewells2873]

Hello Nathan, love your tutorials thank you. Random question what needles do you use please?🧶

[@wolffdogs1]

Brilliant! Can’t wait to try!

[@robincapuano8216]

Nathan, thank you! 😊

[@naryaknits]

Thanks so much for this tutorial❤️

[@TonijaBabcuka]

Amazing. Thank you 😊

[@jessica-mariegervais9800]

I wonder if this would this work with SSP? I'll have to play around with it. Thank you so much for this! My afterthought heels will look so much better now! The reason for the question is that I use the Portuguese style of knitting, and do everything from the purl side because it's so much faster and easier in that method. In other words, I do everything "wrong side out" and have to reverse the instructions (easier than it sounds!).

[@Sockmatician]

Yes, the theory behind the concept should work for any kind of manoeuvre: it’s all about being able to use easing to tighten up whichever is going to end up as the top stitch in a completed decrease.

[@joycecoffey8444]

Thanks so much for this!

[@valeriebishop561]

Well... look at that!! Thank you!

[@debbie.mckenzie]

THIS!!!

[@gdpope52]

Excellent!

[@sherryschimpf5901]

Best tip ever!

[@catherinewallace1175]

very nifty! Thank you.

[@marcelaroge]

Great tip!!!

[@Sandra-uf5rb]

Patty Lyons has a neater, one movement alternative to ssk with clean left leaning stitch definition.

[@kathyh7069]

Love it!

[@pattigolden1]

Really cool..... I just realized I accidentally do that!!! 😂🤣😂🤣

[@sanumvilenavinavilessons8198]

Interesting technique. Thanks for the video and explanation. What yarn are you using? I love the colour!

[@Sockmatician]

The Yarn is the Sockmatician Edition range, available form my website. The colour is Chappell.

[@shirleyikemeier2142]

I have a tidy SSK but the next row I knit and my decrease row goes wobbly. That knit stitch is straight and not slanted to the left - any way to fix that?? 🙏

[@gulfcoastgal_]

I twist the slipped stitch

[@michelenemann8885]

❤️

[@LizCanKnit]

!!!!

[@1flybyguy]

Damn, where's our book?!

[@Sockmatician]

It’s on its way. The manuscript is back from my tech editor, and I’ve been working long hours implementing all the corrections and improvements. Next stage is the photography and the laying out, which admittedly is a big job, but it’s getting closer to completion. The light is winking at me from the end of the tunnel now, at least. Thank you for your patience. X

[@JACLevair]

Brilliant!

[@kathytaylor8089]

Brilliant!