Three ways to SSK

SSK is a single-stitch decrease that creates a left-leaning stitch. It’s commonly paired with k2tog in knitting patterns so that the decreases mirror each other.

The most common issue knitters run into with SSK is that the top stitch often ends up looser than the bottom stitch. This happens because when you knit the decrease, your right needle naturally pulls on the lower stitch. The upper stitch doesn’t get the same opportunity to redistribute the tension, so it can sit a little slack.

You can fix this manually by going back and gently tugging on the stitches on either side of the SSK after working a few stitches. But another option is to try a slightly different technique so the stitches are set up more evenly from the start.

To help illustrate a few options, I put together a quick YouTube video demonstrating three different ways to work an SSK.

Method 1: The Classic SSK

This is the technique most patterns assume.

Slip one stitch knitwise.
Slip the next stitch knitwise.
Insert your left needle into the front of both stitches and knit them together through the back loop.

It works well and produces a clean left-leaning decrease, though it’s also the method most likely to produce that slightly loose top stitch.

Method 2: The Twisted Setup

This technique uses what is essentially a 1/1 left cable setup (or a left-twisted stitch, depending on how you think about it) to place the stitches in the correct order before knitting them together.

First, rearrange the two stitches so the second stitch crosses in front of the first. Once they’re in position, simply knit the two stitches together.

The result is the same left-leaning decrease, but many knitters find the stitches sit a little more neatly.

Method 3: The Reordered SSK

This method is a little trickier to set up, but it’s often my favorite in terms of the finished result.

Slip two stitches purlwise onto the right needle. Then insert your left needle through the first stitch from front to back, and continue through the second stitch. Slip both stitches back onto the left needle.

You’ve now reversed their order and set yourself up to knit the two stitches together normally.

The extra step helps distribute the tension more evenly, which can create a tidier decrease.

Oh. One last note. If you really want to up your SSK game, knit through the back loop on the next row. You’ll get a much cleaner left slanting line, especially in those double gussets you’re knitting. ;)

Questions? Thoughts? Other techniques you’d like to see demonstrated? Let me know in the comments.