Decreasing Stitches
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
 | 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. |
 | 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
 | 1. Insert your right hand needle “knitwise” and lift off the first stitch from your left hand needle |
 | 2. Leave the stitch on the needle and knit the next stitch on your left hand needle in the usual way. |
 | 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
 | 1. Insert your right hand needle “purlwise” and lift off the first stitch from your left hand needle. |
 | 2. Leave the stitch on the needle and purl into the next stitch on your left hand needle in the usual way. |
 | 3. Using the point of your left hand needle bring the slipped stitch off your right hand needle, over the purled stitch |
