To knit a left leaning decrease, you reduce the number of stitches while creating a stitch that slants towards the left. This is commonly used in shaping, such as for raglan sleeves, necklines, or sock toes, to mirror right-leaning decreases.
Understanding Left Leaning Decreases
A decrease is a technique used in knitting to reduce the number of stitches on your needle. When shaping knitted fabric, it's essential to make decreases that slant in a specific direction to create symmetrical lines. A left-leaning decrease creates a line that slopes upwards from right to left.
Popular Left Leaning Decrease Methods
Several methods can be used to create a left leaning decrease. The choice often depends on the pattern instructions or personal preference for the appearance and tightness of the resulting stitch. Based on common techniques and the provided reference, here are some ways to knit a left leaning decrease:
- Slip One, Knit One, Pass Slipped Stitch Over (sl1, K1, PSSO or SKP)
- Knit Two Together Through the Back Loops (K2tog tbl)
- Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK)
- Slip, Slip, Knit Improved (SSKi)
- Slip, Yank, Twist, Knit (SYTK)
- Wendy's Left-leaning K2tog (K2tog-L)
Here are step-by-step instructions for performing these methods:
Slip One, Knit One, Pass Slipped Stitch Over (sl1, K1, PSSO or SKP)
This is a widely used method for a left-leaning decrease.
- Slip the first stitch on the left needle purlwise onto the right needle.
- Knit the next stitch on the left needle as you normally would.
- Insert the tip of your left needle into the front of the slipped stitch on the right needle.
- Using your left needle, lift the slipped stitch up and over the knitted stitch and off the right needle.
Knit Two Together Through the Back Loops (K2tog tbl)
This method creates a tight left-leaning decrease.
- Insert the tip of your right needle into the back loops of the next two stitches on the left needle simultaneously.
- Knit these two stitches together as a single stitch.
Slip, Slip, Knit (SSK)
Another very common left-leaning decrease, often paired with K2tog.
- Insert the tip of your right needle into the first stitch on the left needle as if to knit, but slip it onto the right needle without knitting (slip knitwise).
- Repeat step 1 with the next stitch on the left needle. You now have two slipped stitches on your right needle.
- Insert the tip of your left needle into the front of both slipped stitches from right to left.
- Using your right needle, knit both stitches together through the front loops.
Slip, Slip, Knit Improved (SSKi)
SSKi aims to make the resulting stitch slightly less visible or twisted than a standard SSK. There are a few variations. A common one listed in resources is:
- Insert the tip of your right needle into the first stitch on the left needle as if to knit, and slip it onto the right needle (slip knitwise).
- Insert the tip of your right needle into the next stitch on the left needle as if to purl, and slip it onto the right needle (slip purlwise). You now have two slipped stitches on your right needle.
- Insert the tip of your left needle into the front of both slipped stitches from right to left.
- Using your right needle, knit both stitches together through the front loops.
Slip, Yank, Twist, Knit (SYTK)
As listed in the reference, the instructions provided for SYTK are the same as SKP (Slip 1 purlwise, Knit 1, Pass slipped stitch over). This may be another name for SKP or a variation that emphasizes specific tensioning (the "yank").
Wendy's Left-leaning K2tog (K2tog-L)
The reference describes this as a specific technique:
- Insert the tip of your right needle knitwise through the front loop of the second stitch on the left needle.
- Then, without dropping the second stitch, insert the tip of your right needle into the front loop of the first stitch on the left needle.
- Knit both stitches together through the back loops.
Choosing the Right Left Leaning Decrease
The best method often depends on the desired look and the yarn being used.
- SSK and SKP are very common and produce a clear left-leaning stitch. SKP can sometimes look slightly looser or flatter than SSK.
- K2tog tbl creates a very tight decrease which might be noticeable in some fabrics.
- SSKi attempts to improve the appearance of SSK by reducing the twist of the front leg of the resulting stitch.
- SYTK and K2tog-L are less standard and might be specified in patterns that require them for a particular effect.
Experimenting with different methods on a swatch can help you determine which one you prefer for your project.
| Decrease Method | Common Abbreviation | General Appearance |
|---|---|---|
| Slip, Knit, Pass | SKP, sl1, K1, PSSO | Clear, often flatter |
| Slip, Slip, Knit | SSK | Clear, often slightly twisted leg |
| SSK Improved | SSKi | Clear, less twisted leg than standard SSK |
| Knit 2 Tog TBL | K2tog tbl | Tighter, often more pronounced slant |
| Slip, Yank, Twist | SYTK | Listed as same steps as SKP in ref. |
| Wendy's K2tog-L | K2tog-L | Unique method described in ref. |
