Monday Night Knitting Group

One of the things we talked about Monday night was decreases. A well written pattern will tell you which type of decrease you should use. But if it doesn't  . . . well, what's a knitter to do?!


Just be aware that some decreases will slant to the left and some will slant to the right. The most common right slanting decrease is the k2tog (knit 2 stitches together). Here is a swatch with K2tog decreases done on both sides.

The left hand side shows a neat line slanting to the right.
The right hand side is more jagged.

The SSK is a common left slanting decrease. (slip one stitch knitwise, slip a second stitch knitwise, then knit the two together) Here is a swatch with SSK decreases done on both sides.

Notice how the left hand edge is jagged but the right hand
side has the smooth line that is slanting to the left.

By combining the k2tog and the SSK you will have a balanced look to your project. For example, when you fold the swatches in half you can see that using the 2 different decreases in one row will create a smooth neckline on a cardigan. They are considered 'mirror' decreases.

It will also create a smooth seam line if you were knitting a sleeve from the top down.

But don't rely on these two decreases only. There are other decreases that will slant to the right or left and will look different. Knit up a swatch and try them out. See which ones you like to mirror each other.

If you knit a couple of stitches before you decrease at the beginning of a row, and leave a couple of stitches to knit after a decrease at the end of the row, you will produce a wider line or bar. This is called a 'full fashion' decrease. It also makes it a lot easier to do any seaming or picking up stitches.

Even if you're an experienced knitter, give it a try. It's always nice to try something new and you may find a technique you like better than what you are using now.

Go ahead. Get out your reference book. If you don't have one it's time to stop at the library. We have some great ones. Tell them at the desk that Library Girl sent you.

Until next time, keep your nose in a book or your fingers in fiber.