P2tog Knitting: How To Purl Two Together

Learn P2tog knitting, also known as purl two together, with this easy step-by-step tutorial.

The P2tog decrease is a common knitting decrease worked on the purl side of your fabric.

It turns two stitches into one stitch and is often used in shaping, ribbing, lace patterns, garments, hats, socks, and other knitting projects.

If you have seen P2tog in a knitting pattern and wondered what it means, this guide will walk you through the technique slowly and clearly.

You’ll also find a video tutorial below so you can see exactly how to work the stitch.

Quick Answer: What Does P2tog Mean In Knitting?

P2tog means purl two together.

It is a knitting decrease where you purl two stitches together at the same time, turning two stitches into one stitch.

This decreases your stitch count by one.

P2tog is often used when a pattern needs you to decrease stitches on the wrong side, or purl side, of your work.

P2tog At A Glance

Detail	Information
Abbreviation	P2tog
Meaning	Purl two together
Type of stitch	Decrease
Stitch count	Decreases by 1 stitch
Worked over	2 stitches
Finished result	2 stitches become 1 stitch
Commonly used on	Wrong-side rows / purl rows
Related techniques	K2tog, SSP, SSK

Before You Start

P2tog is usually worked on the wrong side of stockinette stitch, or on purl rows where your pattern asks you to decrease.

You will insert the right needle into the next stitch and the second stitch on the left needle at the same time, then purl them together as one stitch.

This creates a single decrease, reducing your stitch count by one.

Before learning P2tog, it helps if you already know how to:

Knit the knit stitch
Work the purl stitch
Bring the yarn to the front
Recognize the wrong side of your knitting
Count stitches in your pattern

P2tog is beginner-friendly once you know how to purl.

The only part that can feel slightly tricky is inserting the needle through two stitches at once, especially if your tension is tight.

What Is A P2tog Decrease?

A P2tog decrease is worked by purling two stitches together as if they were one stitch.

Instead of purling one stitch, you insert your right-hand needle into the next two stitches on the left-hand needle and purl them together.

This decreases your stitch count by one.

For example, if you start with 20 stitches and work one P2tog decrease, you will have 19 stitches afterward.

P2tog Abbreviation

In knitting patterns, you may see this written as:

P2tog
p2tog
Purl 2 together
Purl two together
Purl decrease
Decrease on the purl side

These usually refer to the same technique.

Always check your pattern notes if the designer gives a specific explanation, especially in lace or textured stitch patterns.

How To P2tog In Knitting

To work a P2tog decrease:

Bring the yarn to the front of your work, as you normally would for a purl stitch.
Insert the right-hand needle into the next two stitches on the left-hand needle from right to left, as if to purl.
Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle.
Pull the yarn through both stitches.
Slide both stitches off the left-hand needle.

You have now decreased one stitch.

The two stitches have been purled together to make one new stitch.

Video Tutorial: How To P2tog

Watch the video tutorial below to see how to P2tog step by step.

This will show you how to insert your needle into two stitches at once, wrap the yarn, pull it through, and complete the purl two together decrease.

Step-By-Step P2tog Instructions

Here is the P2tog decrease broken down more slowly.

Step 1: Bring the yarn to the front

Before working a purl stitch, your yarn should be at the front of your work.

Hold the yarn as you normally would when purling.

Step 2: Insert the right-hand needle into two stitches

Insert the right-hand needle into the next two stitches on the left-hand needle.

Go into both stitches at the same time, from right to left, as if you were going to purl.

This can feel slightly tighter than a normal purl stitch because you are working through two stitches instead of one.

Step 3: Wrap the yarn around the needle

Wrap the yarn around the right-hand needle as you would for a regular purl stitch.

Try to keep your tension even, but not too tight.

Step 4: Pull the yarn through both stitches

Use the right-hand needle to pull the wrapped yarn through both stitches.

You should now have one new stitch on the right-hand needle.

Step 5: Slide both stitches off the left-hand needle

Slide both original stitches off the left-hand needle.

You have now worked one P2tog decrease.

Easy Way To Remember P2tog

A simple way to remember P2tog is:

Purl two stitches together as one.

That is all the technique is doing.

Instead of purling one stitch, you purl two stitches together to decrease by one stitch.

Is P2tog A Decrease?

Yes, P2tog is a decrease.

It turns two stitches into one stitch, reducing your stitch count by one.

This makes it useful for shaping your knitting on wrong-side rows, especially when the pattern needs a decrease to be worked from the purl side.

Does P2tog Lean Left Or Right?

P2tog is worked on the purl side of the fabric.

When viewed from the knit side, P2tog can appear as the purl-side equivalent of a right-leaning decrease.

However, in many beginner patterns, the most important thing to know is that P2tog decreases one stitch on a purl row.

If the exact direction of the decrease matters, your pattern will usually specify which decrease to use.

P2tog Vs K2tog: What Is The Difference?

The main difference between P2tog and K2tog is where and how they are worked.

P2tog is worked as a purl stitch.
K2tog is worked as a knit stitch.

Both decreases turn two stitches into one stitch, but they are worked on different sides of the fabric.

Decrease	Meaning	Usually Worked On	Stitch Count
P2tog	Purl two together	Purl side / wrong side	Decreases by 1
K2tog	Knit two together	Knit side / right side	Decreases by 1

If your pattern asks you to decrease on a purl row, it may use P2tog instead of K2tog.

P2tog Vs SSP

P2tog and SSP are both purl-side decreases, but they are not the same.
P2tog means purl two together.
SSP means slip slip purl.
P2tog is usually easier for beginners and is commonly used for simple purl-side decreases.
SSP is often used when a pattern needs a purl-side decrease that mirrors SSK on the right side of the fabric.

Decrease	Meaning	Type
P2tog	Purl two together	Purl-side decrease
SSP	Slip slip purl	Purl-side decrease often used to mirror SSK

Always follow the decrease written in your pattern, especially if the direction of the shaping matters.

When Should You Use P2tog?

Use P2tog when your knitting pattern tells you to purl two stitches together.

You may need P2tog for:

Decreasing on a wrong-side row
Shaping garments
Working lace patterns
Decreasing in ribbing
Sock shaping
Hat shaping
Sleeve shaping
Textured stitch patterns

It is especially useful when a pattern needs the decrease to be worked from the purl side of the fabric.

Is P2tog Hard For Beginners?

P2tog is beginner-friendly once you know how to purl.

The only tricky part is inserting the needle through two stitches at once, which can feel a little tight.

If you find it difficult, try not to pull your stitches too tightly before the decrease.

Looser, even tension will make it much easier to work.

Common P2tog Mistakes

Forgetting to bring the yarn to the front

P2tog is a purl stitch, so the yarn needs to be at the front of your work before you begin.

Only purling one stitch

Make sure your right-hand needle goes through two stitches, not just one.

The decrease happens because the two stitches are worked together.

Pulling the stitches too tight

If the stitches are very tight on the needle, P2tog can feel difficult.

Try to keep your tension relaxed before the decrease.

Dropping one of the stitches

Because you are working through two stitches, make sure both stitches are securely on the needle before sliding them off.

Move slowly until the technique feels comfortable.

Confusing P2tog with K2tog

P2tog is worked as a purl stitch.
K2tog is worked as a knit stitch.

If your pattern says P2tog, make sure the yarn is at the front and you are working the decrease from the purl side.

P2tog Practice Swatch

If you are new to P2tog, try practicing on a small swatch.

Cast on 20 stitches.

Row 1: Knit all stitches.
Row 2: Purl 2, P2tog, purl to end of row.
Row 3: Knit all stitches.
Row 4: Purl 2, P2tog, purl to end of row.

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 a few times.

You will see your stitch count decrease as you work the P2tog stitches on the purl rows.

For a simple balanced practice swatch, you can also try:

Row 1: Knit all stitches.
Row 2: Purl 2, P2tog, purl to last 4 stitches, P2tog, purl 2.
Row 3: Knit all stitches.

Repeat Rows 2 and 3 to practice working decreases on the purl side.

P2tog Knitting FAQs

What does P2tog mean in knitting?

P2tog means purl two together.

It is a decrease where two stitches are purled together to create one stitch.

How do you P2tog in knitting?

To P2tog, bring the yarn to the front, insert the right-hand needle into the next two stitches as if to purl, wrap the yarn, pull it through both stitches, and slide both stitches off the left-hand needle.

Is P2tog a decrease?

Yes, P2tog is a decrease.

It turns two stitches into one stitch and decreases your stitch count by one.

Is P2tog the same as K2tog?

No, P2tog and K2tog are different techniques.

P2tog is worked as a purl stitch, while K2tog is worked as a knit stitch.

When do you use P2tog?

Use P2tog when a pattern asks you to decrease on a purl row or work a purl-side decrease.

Can beginners learn P2tog?

Yes, beginners can learn P2tog.

If you can purl, you can learn to purl two stitches together.

Why is my P2tog tight?

P2tog can feel tight because you are inserting the needle through two stitches at once.

Try keeping your tension relaxed and avoid pulling the stitches too tightly before the decrease.

What is the opposite of P2tog?

The knit-side version is usually K2tog, which means knit two together.

There are also other purl-side decreases, such as SSP, depending on the shaping required.