18 different methods to decrease two stitches at a time — try them all out and see which one you like best and which is most suitable for your project.
For new knitters, there are detailed written instructions and step-by-step photo tutorial. If you already know basic stitches such as knit, purl, k2tog (knit two together), p2tog (purl two together), slip stitch knitwise, and slip stitch purlwise, just read the quick steps to execute these methods.
In this post, I would like to share 18 methods for decreasing two stitches at once. Among them are familiar names like SK2P, S2KP, K3tog, and P3tog, along with a few new ones such as Reorder.
Just because some of these methods aren't widely known online doesn't mean they are new. Many knitters may already be familiar with the double decreases mentioned in this post — experienced knitters may even know more than you or I can imagine. However, the lack of specific and consistent names makes it difficult for new knitters to find and learn what they need.
I have been very careful in naming all of them — keeping the familiar names while introducing new ones based on the actions involved. For the more complex methods, I have referred to them as Reorder.
I hope the knowledge shared in this post will be welcomed by the knitting community. If you find it useful, please help share it so these names can become familiar among knitters.
Looking for a quick reference?
I’ve created a PDF with quick steps for each method, so you can easily look them up anytime. Download the PDF here.
You can also click on the images below to save them to your device.
I’ll be adding step-by-step photo guides for all of them soon. Please check back later.
Vertical Double Decreases
Centered Double Decrease, abbreviated as CDD, is not the name of a specific technique — it is a descriptive term that refers to any decrease where two stitches are decreased and the center stitch remains on top.
The most common method to work a CDD is: slip two stitches together knitwise, knit one, then pass the slipped stitches over the knit stitch, abbreviated as S2KP.
Therefore, S2KP and CDD are names that are often used interchangeably to refer to the same method or its result.
3 Methods to Work Centered Double Decrease Knitwise
Take your yarn and needles — it's time to start trying it out.
Slip 2, Knit 1, Pass slipped stitch over
Quick steps
Slip two stitches together knitwise. Knit one stitch. Use the tip of LH needle to lift up the slipped stitches and pass them over the stitch you just knitted.
Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Slip 2, Slip 1, Knit 3 Together
Quick Steps
Slip two stitches together knitwise. Slip one stitch knitwise. Knit them together through the back loops.Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Reorder 3, Knit 3 Together
Quick Steps
Slip one stitch purlwise. Slip two stitches knitwise, one at a time. Return these two stitches to LH needle by inserting LH needle from right to left and withdrawing RH needle. Then, slip one stitch back to LH needle without changing the orientation. Knit three stitches together.Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
3 Methods to Work Centered Double Decrease Purlwise
Centered double decreases worked on the wrong side are quite rare, as most are worked on the right side of the fabric.
SSPP and R2P3tog are two methods that involve different steps, but they yield the same result. These methods are often worked in combination with S2KP.
Slip Slip, Purl 1, Pass Over
Quick Steps
Slip two stitches knitwise, one at a time. Return these two stitches to LH needle by inserting LH needle from left to right and withdrawing RH needle. Slip two stitches together purlwise through their back loops to RH needle. Purl one stitch. Use the tip of LH needle to lift up the slipped stitches and pass them over the stitch you just knitted and off RH needle.Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Reorder 2, Purl 3 Together
Quick Steps
Slip two stitches knitwise, one at a time. Return these two slipped stitches to LH needle by inserting LH needle from right to left and withdrawing RH needle. Purl three stitches together.Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Slip 1, Slip 2, Purl 3 together
Quick steps
Slip one stitch knitwise, then slip two stitches together knitwise. Return these three slipped stitches to LH needle by inserting LH needle from right to left and withdrawing RH needle. Purl three stitches together.Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
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Left and Right Double Decreases
Basic Double Decreases
These are basic methods that remove two stitches at once, making all of them slant to the left or right in a consistent way. The steps are simple and easy to follow.
To decrease two stitches knitwise, use K3tog and SSSK, which are similar to the single decrease methods K2tog and SSK. For purlwise decreases, use P3tog and SSSP in a similar manner.
Once you master the single decreases, you'll find double decreases just as easy.
The decrease methods are often performed in pairs, producing symmetrical stitches that create mirror images of one another.
| Paired Single Decreases | |
|---|---|
| Knitwise | |
| Purlwise | |
| Paired Double Decreases | |
|---|---|
| Knitwise | |
| Purlwise | |
Below are detailed step-by-step instructions for Four Basic Double Decreases, ensuring that even if you are a new knitter, you can work them accurately.
Slip Slip Slip Knit
Quick steps
Slip three stitches knitwise, one at a time. Then slide LH needle into these three stitches from left to right and knit them together through the back loops.
Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Knit 3 Together
Quick Steps
Insert RH needle knitwise into three stitches on LH needle and knit them together, like a regular knit but into three stitches instead of one.
Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Slip Slip Slip Purl
Quick steps
Slip three stitches knitwise, one at a time. Return these three stitches to LH needle by inserting LH needle from left to right and withdrawing RH needle. Purl them together through the back loops.
Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Purl 3 Together
Quick Steps
Insert RH needle purlwise into three stitches and purl them together, like a regular purl, but into three stitches instead of one.
Detailed Writtern Instructions [link]
Advanced Double Decreases
Advanced double decrease methods aren't scary — they're just a bit more complex than the basic double decrease methods.
Note: Make sure to execute the slip stitch accurately — don’t mix up knitwise and purlwise.
Slip 1, Knit 2 Together, Pass Over
Quick steps for SK2P
Slip 1 stitch knitwise. Knit 2 stitches together. Use the tip of LH needle to lift the slipped stitch and pass it over the stitch you just knitted.
Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Slip 1, Slip 2, Knit 3 together
Quick Steps
Quick Steps: Slip one stitch knitwise, then slip two stitches together knitwise. Knit them together through the back loops.Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Slip 2, Slip 1, Purl 3 Together
Quick Steps
Slip two stitches together knitwise. Slip one knitwise. Return these three stitches to LH needle by inserting LH needle from left to right and withdrawing RH needle. Purl them together through the back loops.
Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Purl 2 Together, Slip 1, Pass Over
Quick steps for P2SP
Purl 2 stitches together. Slip one stitch knitwise. Return these two stitches to LH needle by inserting the LH needle from left to right and withdrawing RH needle. Use the tip of RH needle to lift the second stitch and pass it over the first stitch off the LH needle. Slip that stitch purlwise to RH needle.Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Reorder 2, Knit 3 Together
Quick Steps
Slip two stitches knitwise, one at a time. Return these two stitches to LH needle by inserting LH needle from right to left and withdrawing RH needle. Knit three stitches together.
Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Reorder 3, Purl 3 Together
Quick steps
Slip one stitch purlwise. Slip two stitches knitwise, one at a time. Return these two stitches to LH needle by inserting LH needle from right to left and withdrawing RH needle. Then, slip one stitch back to LH needle without changing the orientation. Purl 3 stitches together.
Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
KNIT 2 TOGETHER, PASS KNIT STITCH OVER
Quick steps for K2SP
Knit two stitches together. Return resulting stitch to LH needle by inserting LH needle from left to right and withdrawing RH needle. Use the tip of the RH needle to lift the second stitch and pass it over the first stitch. Slip that stitch purlwise to the RH needle.Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
SLIP 1, PURL 2 TOGETHER, PASS OVER
Quick steps for SP2P
Slip one stitch purlwise. Purl 2 stitches together. Use the tip of LH needle to lift up the slipped stitch and pass it over the stitch you just knitted.Detailed Written Instructions [Link]
Just to decrease 2 stitches, there are already 18 different methods — maybe even more. There’s always something new to learn in knitting, right?
Try out each method to find the one that works best for you. If any step feels confusing, simply pause, slow down, and start again from step 1.
Honestly, while writing "Double Decreases: Left Right Center - 18 Methods", I felt like my mind was lost in the matrix!
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