How to Work an Alternative to SSK

Slip, Slip, Knit is one of the most commonly used left-leaning decreases. In the Cocoknits Method they're suggested along the inseam of the sleeve. You may notice that your K2Togs (right-leaning decreases) lie nice and flat but your SSK are a little more pesky. There are a few things you can do to handle this and what option works best depends on how you knit, the yarn you're using, and your project. So it's worth experimenting to see which one you like the best....sometimes you don't even need to use a SSK at all! Here are some alternatives that Julie uses to make her Slip, Slip, Knits a little neater...

Need a SSK overview? You can find it here

SSK Alternatives

1

Sl 1 kwise, sl 1 pwise, knit slipped stitches together.

Slip as if to knit, slip as if to PURL, then place the left needle into the fronts of these two stitches and knit them together.

2

Sl 1 kwise, k1, PSSO

Slip as if to knit, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over. 

 

3

Sl 1 pwise, k1, PSSO

Slip as if to PURL, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over. 

4

In the Next Round: Ktbl of the SSK

Bonus option! You can knit the SSK traditionally (or use one of the alternatives above) and then make it a bit flatter by knitting through the back loop of the SSK in the next round (or purling if knitting stockinette flat). 

Comments

Албена Друнина

Thank you very much


Bebe

I recently discovered method #1, for socks, and like the result. Now I have reference to three more methods! Thank you for writing this!


Eileen

Thank you – wonderful suggestions! I will be trying these alternatives, since I always feel my ssk’s are too messy


Anonymous

We’re so glad you found them useful! Thanks for letting us know. :)


Alma

Thanks for these ideas. I often an disappointed by how the SSK looks in the fabric of the knit, esp in stocking fabric and it depends lots on the yarn being used. I’ll try these alternatives. Again, thanks


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