Decreases are necessary if you want to move past the traditional scarf and knit something with more shape. You’ll see decreases in all types of knit patterns, from hats to wraps and sweaters.
When you want to work some decreases into your knitting, knit two together (usually written as k2tog in the pattern) is one of the easiest ways to do it.
When to use knit 2 together
Knit two together works for all kinds of decreases, but you’ll notice that the stitches in the knit two together lean toward the right. Most patterns have right-leaning stitches on the left side and left-leaning stitches (like an ssk) on the right side — that way everything is all neat and tidy.
The knit two together is most commonly used for in-the-round knitting where you have something that’s knit in a circle, like a hat.
How to make a knit 2 together
Knit up until the two stitches that you want to knit together to make the decrease. (If you’re following a pattern, the pattern will tell you when to knit two together. No need to worry about that!)
Put the needle through both of the next two stitches as if to knit. Wrap the yarn around, just like you would for a normal knit stitch.
Pull the yarn through both loops, just like you would a regular knit stitch.
And then drop the two stitches off the lefthand needle. Ta-da! Decrease made. Easy, right?
Master More Increases & Decreases
Knit clean, matching sets of increases and decreases for projects with better shaping, tantalizing textural embellishments and fewer mistakes!
