Basic Right-Slanting Decrease (K2tog) [FREE Knitting Tutorial]

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Learn How to Make a Basic Right-Slanting Decrease (K2tog)

Knitting 2 stitches together (K2tog) is a decrease technique that every beginning knitter should know.

In fact, k2tog is probably the easiest method of decreasing stitches and is quite common to find throughout knitting patterns.

Just like increases, decreases can either slant left or right. In addition, they can also be vertical.

The k2tog is a basic decrease that slants to the right. Actually, you will often find it paired with the ssk which slants to the left.

In addition, it is also often used paired with a yarnover in lace patterns. In lace patterns, the k2tog is regularly used to compensate for a yarnover so you do not increase the number of your working stitches.

Decreases can be used at the ends of rows. In addition, they can also be used anywhere within the knitted fabric.

Moreover, a decrease can be used to shape your fabric by making it narrower, for example at the top of a hat or mitten. In these cases, the k2tog will be paired with the ssk.

You can find a tutorial on how to do the ssk here: Basic Left-Slanting Decrease (SSK)

Characteristics

Decreases the number of stitches by 1
The k2tog leans to the right

Ideal for

Narrowing your fabric by decreasing on the right-side at the end of a knit row
Decreasing a stitch at the end of a row
Shaping fabric when paired with an ssk
Compensating for a yarnover in lace patterns

Step-by-Step Tutorial on How to Make a K2tog Decrease

Knit to where you want the decrease to be.

k2tog Tutorial Step 1: Hands knitting where the decrease will be.

Make sure that your working yarn is in the back of your knitting project.

k2tog Tutorial Step 2: Hands knitting while keeping the working yarn at the back of the project.

Insert the right-hand needle knitwise (from front to back) into the next 2 stitches on the left-hand needle. Make sure to go through the second stitch before you go through the first stitch.

k2tog Tutorial Step 3: Right-hand needle inserted knitwise into the next two stitches on the left needle.

Wrap the working yarn under and then over the right-hand needle. Then pull the working yarn through both stitches at the same time. In order words, knit these 2 stitches together.