To lose stitches for shaping or making decorative patterns you can knit or purl two stitches (k2 tog, p2 tog) together at the beginning, end or any given point in a row. This is the simpler method and forms a slant to the right if the stitches are knitted together through the front and a slant to the left if the stitches are knitted together through the back of the work.
Slip stitch decrease produces a more decorative effect. A knit row decrease – abbreviated as s1, k1, psso – forms a slant to the left on the front of the knitting; on a purl row – s1, p1, psso – slant to the right is formed.
Knitting Two Stitches Together
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In a knit row (K2tog) Insert your right hand needle through the front of the first two stitches on your left hand needle. Knit them together as a single stitch. |
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In a purl row (P2tog) Insert your right hand needle through the front of the first two stitches on your left hand needle. Purl them together as a single stitch. |
Slip Stitch Decreases
Fancy openwork patterns such as Ric Rac depend on slip stitch decreases.
In a knit row
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1. Insert your right hand needle “knitwise” and lift off the first stitch from your left hand needle |
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2. Leave the stitch on the needle and knit the next stitch on your left hand needle in the usual way. |
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3. Using the point of your left hand needle bring the slipped stitch off your right hand needle over the knitted stitch. |
In a purl row
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1. Insert your right hand needle “purlwise” and lift off the first stitch from your left hand needle. |
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2. Leave the stitch on the needle and purl into the next stitch on your left hand needle in the usual way. |
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3. Using the point of your left hand needle bring the slipped stitch off your right hand needle, over the purled stitch |