How To Knit Two Stitches Together (K2tog)
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.In this post, you will learn how to knit two stitches together.
A basic stitch in knitting is K2tog (or knit two together) this means that you knit two stitches together.
This is a commonly used right-leaning decrease used in all sorts of knitting projects like socks, gloves, and mittens, and to shape the crown of a hat.
K2tog Explained
This commonly used versatile single decrease stitch is used in knitting patterns and is one way to decrease the number of stitches on your needle.
- Knitting two together is a basic method of decreasing stitches.
- It makes a decrease that is abbreviated as K2Tog or k2tog in pattern instructions.
- To ‘knit two together’ is just like making a regular knit stitch, but you work through two stitches instead of just one.
- You can do the same thing with purl stitches, which is known as purl two together (P2Tog).
What is K2tog in Knitting?
- Knitting two stitches together is the most basic decrease in knitting.
- The decrease that it makes in your work will lean slightly to the right.
- You will see this abbreviated as K2tog in knitting patterns.
- In some patterns, it might say to K3tog, which is worked in the same way, except you knit three stitches together instead of two.
- This can be seen in some intermediate to advanced patterns when tight decreases are needed.
- You may also see P2tog which means to purl two stitches together.
- You may also see P3tog, which is purling three stitches together for a tight decrease.
How To Knit Two Stitches Together
View the tutorial on my YouTube channel
How To K2tog – Knit two stitches together
- Step 1 – Insert your needle into the next two stitches
Place the tip of the right needle into the two stitches that you want to knit together on the left needle, just as you would if you were going to knit the first stitch.
Wrap the working yarn around the right needle.
- Step 2 – Yarn over the needle and knit
Knit those two stitches (the first and second stitch together), just the same as you would complete a normal knit stitch.
- Step 3 – Slide the stitch off the needle
Slide the stitch off the needle – you should just have one loop on your right-hand needle.
That is it – really easy and you have just completed a decrease.
The image below shows what this will look like on the right side of the work.
You can now continue to knit the next stitch in the knit row. - Step 4 – Check the back of the work
If you check the back of the work (the wrong side of the work), you will see that you have completed your decrease and that you have knitted two stitches together successfully.
Is K2tog The Same As SSK?
They are different ways to decrease stitches, K2tog is a right-slanted decrease.
SSK is a slightly different decrease and is one of those left-slanting decreases.
SSK is an abbreviation that means Slip Slip Knit.
Both of those decreases are used in many patterns to create lace patterns or intricate patterns.
You can see an example of how both of these decreases are used to make a lacy design in my The Sea Glass Shawl Knitting Pattern
Which Patterns Use K2tog?
Many patterns use this popular simple decrease stitch from sweaters to hats.
To practice this stitch you could knit a garter stitch swatch and practice knitting two stitches together.
The following free patterns for men and women all use K2tog to decrease the crown of the hat to shape…
More Knitting Tutorials
If you are interested in learning more about the knitting basics and for inspiration, please visit this post – Knitting Lessons
You can view beginner video tutorials here.
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Cast off knitting methods
- How to cast on knitting
- How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
- How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
- How to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)
- How to read knitting patterns for beginners
- Knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)
- How to knit rib stitch patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing)
- The mattress stitch – how to seam knitting
- What is TBL in knitting? (knit through the back loop)
