R3K3tog | Center Double Decrease, Mirror of SK2P

Reorder 3, Knit 3 together

Learn R3K3tog in 9 steps.
It reduces three stitches to one with the center stitch on top, often paired with SS2P.

Technique Info: Reorder 3, Knit 3 together

Field Details
Abbreviation R3K3tog
Type Double Decrease
Lean Center
Worked Knitwise
Facing stitches S2KP S2SK
Wrong side stitches SSPP R2P3tog
Partner SS2P
Symbols Center Double Decrease Symbol - Knitwsie Center Double Decrease Symbol - knitwise

Step-by-step Instructions

Step 1

Hold the yarn in back, insert the RH needle purlwise into the first stitch on the LH needle, slip it onto the RH needle.

Step 2

Insert the RH needle knitwise into the next stitch on the LH needle, slip it onto the RH needle.

Step 3

Repeat step 2 with the third stitch.

Step 4

Insert the LH needle into the front of two stitches on the RH needle from right to left, slip them back to LH needle at once.

Step 5

Insert the LH needle into the next stitch on the RH needle from left to right, slip one stitch back to the LH needle.

Step 6

Insert the RH needle knitwise into the three stitches on the LH needle.

Step 7

Wrap the yarn counter clockwise around the RH needle.

Step 8

Pull the new stitch through three stitches.

Step 9

Drop these stitches off the LH needle.

Now that you’ve learned how it works, you might be wondering about the name…

Why Reorder 3 when only two stitches actually swap places?
Hmmm… I can only explain it this way: the third one watched it all happen — and that counts as emotional involvement.

R3K3tog symbol
How to knit R3K3tog - Download PDF

Step-By-Step Photos

Step 1
1.1 Hold yarn in back
Hold yarn in back
1.2 Slip 1 purlwise
Slip 1 purlwise
Step 2
Slip 1 knitwise
Slip 1 knitwise
Step 3
Slip 1 knitwise
Yep, still slip 1 knitwise
Result: 3 Stitches Moved to Right Needle
Result: 3 Stss moved to RH needle
Step 4
4.1 Insert LH needle right to left into 2 stitches
Insert LH needle into front of 2 sts from right to left
4.2 Front loops on RH needle
LH needle is inserted — sts are still on RH needle
4.3 Slip both stitches onto LH needle
Slip both sts onto LH needle
Step 5
5.1 Insert RH needle knitwise
Insert RH needle knitwise into next st on LH needle
5.2 Slip 1 knitwise
Slip st on RH needle
Step 6
6.1 Insert RH needle knitwise
Insert RH needle knitwise into of 3 sts
6.2 Insert RH needle knitwise into of 3 stitches
RH needle is inserted — sts are still on LH needle
Step 7
Wrap yarn counterclockwise around RH needle
Wrap yarn counterclockwise around RH needle
Step 8
Pull new stitch through three stitches
Pull new st through 3 sts
Step 9
S2SK | Center stitch on top
Drop sts off LH needle. Done!

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