How to SSK (Slip Slip Knit): A Beginner-Friendly Left-Leaning Decrease – Video Tutorial Included!
- 20 hours ago
- 4 min read
If you're learning how to SSK, you've probably already come across K2TOG in knitting patterns and wondered why there are two different decrease stitches. I remember asking exactly the same question when I knitted my first sweater, but once I started paying attention to the direction of the stitches, everything clicked. If you're looking for more info on decreasing in knitting, check out my Must-Read Beginner's Guide!
SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) creates a left-leaning decrease that balances the right-leaning K2TOG. Together they produce neat, symmetrical shaping for stunning knits.
In this tutorial I'll explain:
What Is a SSK?
SSK is the standard knitting abbreviation that stands for Slip, Slip, Knit.
It is a decrease that turns two stitches into one, reducing your stitch count by one stitch while creating a left-leaning decrease.
Unlike K2TOG, which naturally leans to the right, SSK angles towards the left, making the two stitches perfect partners whenever you need mirrored shaping.
You'll usually use SSK in your knitting pattern when working any decrease that needs to lean towards the outer-left side of your work. It's also used in mirrored or symmetrical decrease pairs, for example:
right side of raglan decreases
right edge of V-necks
underarm shaping
sock gussets
lace knitting
shawls
cardigan fronts
Why Do mirrored decreases Matter?
Many beginners think a decrease will work anywhere. And while, number-wise, your stitch count will still decrease, the finished knit will seem off if you don't use the right one.
Knitwear designers intentionally choose SSK because the direction of the decrease affects how shaping flows across the fabric.
As mentioned above, K2TOG leans right and SSK leans left. Meaning that when used together, they produce balanced shaping that looks much more polished and intentional.
I particularly notice the difference on sweater necklines and underarm shaping. And I'm sure that once you're able to recognise mirrored decreases, it'll be difficult not to see how much neater they make a finished garment look.
How to Knit SSK Step by Step
Knit to the point where your pattern instructs you to work the decrease.
Slip the first stitch knit wise from the left needle to the right needle.
Slip the second stitch knit wise in the same way.
Insert the left needle into the front of both slipped stitches.
Knit the two stitches together through the back loops.
Continue knitting the rest of the row.
You have now decreased one stitch while creating a left-leaning decrease!
Common Mistakes When Learning SSK
Why Does My SSK Look Twisted or Bulky?
A SSK will always have a little more visible texture than a K2TOG, but it should still sit neatly in the fabric.
If yours looks bulky or overly twisted, check that you are working both slipped stitches in the same way each time. Small differences in how you slip or tension the stitches can make the decrease look uneven, especially in smooth yarn or stocking stitch.
The best fix is usually consistency: practise a few SSKs in a swatch and focus on making each movement as similar as possible.
Why Doesn’t My SSK Lean to the Left?
A SSK should create a clear left-leaning line.
If it looks more vertical than diagonal, or does not sit neatly beside its matching K2TOG decrease, the stitches may not have been prepared correctly before you knit them together.
Try slowing down and checking the finished decrease after each row, that way it's always easier to go back and fix it!
Why Does My SSK Look Loose?
The tension that was created in the slipped stitches when they were knit on the last row will determine how neat your SSK looks now. For this reason there's no immediate and easy-fix. Instead try to keep a consistent tension throughout all of your work and across all of the rows.
Yes, you can tighten your working yarn around the left needle a bit by gently tugging on your working yarn before pulling it through to form the decreased stitch. However, this is a small fix and can be tricky... Pulling too firmly can actually make one of the two decreased stitches stand out a bit from the surrounding stitches, or cause the decrease stitch itself to seem like a messed-up stitch.
Moral of the story? Work on making your knitting tension even across rows and keep practising this decrease to build some muscle memory!
Can I Replace SSK With K2TOG?
I generally would not recommend it.
Both stitches decrease your stitch count by one, but they lean in opposite directions: SSK leans left and K2TOG leans right.
Patterns often use them together to create balanced shaping in places such as necklines, raglan sleeves and lace designs. Swapping one for the other can make those lines look uneven.
How to Practise SSK
The easiest way to become comfortable with SSK is to knit a simple swatch.
Cast on around 24 stitches and work several rows of stocking stitch (knit on one side of your work, purl on the other side).
Every right-side row, meaning the knit stitch side, work:
SSK near the end
After several repeats you'll clearly see how the decreases mirror each other.
Once you're feeling confident, you can try using SSK in beginner-friendly knitting patterns, like my summer-knit pattern The Olive Top!
What to Read Next
If you're learning decreases, these tutorials are the perfect next step:
For trusted external references, check out:
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