How to slip slip knit (ssk)
Published on March 6, 2019 By Yazmin 2 min readThe slip slip knit is a left leaning decrease method, where you can reduce the number of stitches on your row. If you're looking to take your knitting skills to the next level and add shapes and curves to your knitted fabric, the slip slip knit is a game changer! Read on and learn how to ssk with our handy video and written tutorial to guide you.
What is slip slip knit?
Slip slip knit (ssk) is a left-leaning decrease method. To ssk you simply reduce the number of stitches in your row of knitting by slipping 2 stitches knitwise from your left-hand needle onto your right-hand needle. Then, you slide the tip of the left-hand needle into both of those stitches knitting them together. Let’s do this!
How to slip slip knit (ssk)
1
Slip your stitches. Slip two stitches knitwise, one after the other. Which means you slip two stitches from your left-hand needle onto your right hand needle.
2
Slide your stitches. Now slide the left-hand needle into the front loops of the stitches that you have just slipped.
3
Wrap the yarn. Bring the yarn around the right-hand needle.
Pro Tip
Slip, slip, purl, abbreviated as ssp, sees the same steps carried out, except you purl instead of knit at the end.
4
Knit together. Like knitting magic, there you have it, one stitch where there was two. Your knitting pattern will instruct you exactly how many ssk’s you need to make.
Pro Tip
Did you know that the k2tog is a right leaning decrease which means when you apply both ssk and k2tog to your knitting pattern you even out the fabric? Great stuff!
When to use slip slip knit?
There are some different knitting techniques you can use to decrease your stitches, from the ‘cast-off decrease’ to the ‘pass one over’ method. Each technique offers a slightly different texture and finish. The ssk is one of the easiest and most popular decreasing methods, and is often found in patterns for toys and children’s clothes where you need the fabric to curve, for instance around the heel of a baby bootie or to create shape in the body of a toy animal. Ssk can also be applied when knitting lace. Now we’re talking.
The slip slip knit will be abbreviated as ‘ssk’ in your knitting pattern. If you want to opt for a right-leaning decrease you might want to try the knit 2 together, k2tog. You’ll often find many knitting patterns combine the ssk and k2tog to create an even texture in the fabric.
