How to Knit K2TOG (Knit Two Together): An Easy Decrease Explained

The K2TOG (knit two together) is one of the most common and useful decrease stitches in knitting. It’s simple to learn, quick to work, and creates a clean, right-leaning decrease that appears in everything from beginner patterns to complex lace designs.

Decrease techniques are essential when knitting, so click here to read my Beginner’s Guide to Decreasing in Knitting, for a breakdown of more techniques to know!

What Is K2TOG in Knitting?

K2TOG stands for knit two stitches together. As the name suggests, you knit two stitches as if they were one, which reduces your stitch count by one.

This decrease:

• leans to the right

• creates a smooth, tidy line in the fabric

• is often paired with SSK for symmetrical shaping

Because of its clean appearance, K2TOG is widely used in shaping clothing and accessories, as well as lace knitting.

How to Knit K2TOG (Step by Step)

Before you begin, make sure your stitches are sitting comfortably on the left-hand needle and not crowded near the tip. This will make it easier to insert your needle cleanly through both stitches.

1. Insert the right-hand needle from front to back through the next two stitches on the left-hand needle at the same time.

2. Wrap the working yarn around the right needle, anti-clockwise, as to knit.

3. Pull the yarn through both stitches.

4. Slip both original stitches off the left-hand needle together.

5. You’ve now completed a K2TOG decrease and two stitches have become one.

How to Knit K2TOGtbl (Knit Two Together Through the Back Loop)

You may also come across K2TOGtbl in knitting patterns. This stands for knit two together through the back loop, and while it sounds similar to K2TOG, it is slightly different.

K2TOGtbl is still a single decrease stitch, meaning it reduces your stitch count by one, but it is a left-leaning increase. This is often seen as the lazy knitter's alternative to the slip-slip-knit (SSK) decrease. Note: It's not as neat!

1. Insert the right-hand needle from back to front through the back legs of the next two stitches on the left-hand needle.

2. Wrap the working yarn anti-clockwise around the needle as if to knit.

3. Pull the yarn through both stitches at once.

4. Slip the two original stitches off the left-hand needle together.

5. You’ve now completed a K2TOGtbl decrease and have one stitch less on your work.

When K2TOG Is Used in Knitting

K2TOG appears frequently in knitting patterns, including:

• Lace knitting, often used with a yarn over increase to correct a stitch count

• Garment shaping, such as waistlines, necklines and armholes.

• Hat crowns and sleeve shaping

Practise the K2TOG Decrease

A great way to get comfortable with K2TOG is to practise it on a small swatch or in a beginner-friendly project that includes simple shaping. Repetition will help your hands learn the movement and make your decreases more consistent.

What to Do Next:

• How to Increase in Knitting: A Must-Read Beginner Knitters Guide

• Knitting Bind Off: Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners

• Practise this technique in my Felted Heart Pattern — Super beginner friendly!