K2Tog Knitting • Knit Two Together Decrease

The K2Tog Knitting technique creates an easy single decrease of two stitches together into one when shaping your work. This technique is right-slanting for right-handed knitters. Conversely, left-handed knitters will decrease left-slanted stitches.

Below, my written and photographic demonstrations will help you easily accomplish this knitting tip for your upcoming project. I’ve also included video tutorials for both right and left-handed knitters.

Demonstration of knitting two stitches together with needles, yarn, and hands.

How to Knit Two Together

Right-Handed K2Tog Knitting Technique

Knit Two Together Abbreviation: K2Tog

  1. With the yarn in the back of your work, insert the right needle tip into the front of the second stitch. You’ll insert your needle to the left of that stitch and through. Your right knitting needle will be underneath your left needle.
  2. Wrap your yarn around the right needle from back to front, so that it rests between the two needles.
  3. Knit them through by sliding the right needle down and bring the point forward through the stitch, bringing the yarn with it. You are bringing your new stitch through and your old two stitches off.
  4. Now you have decreased two stitches into one with the new stitch on your right needle.

Left-Handed K2Tog Knitting Technique

  1. With the yarn in the back of your work, insert the left needle tip into the front of the second stitch. You’ll insert your needle to the right of that stitch and through. Your left knitting needle will be underneath your right needle.
  2. Wrap your yarn around the left needle from back to front, so that it rests between the two needles.
  3. Knit them through by sliding the right needle down and bring the point forward through the stitch, bringing the yarn with it. You are bringing your new stitch through and your old two stitches off.
  4. Now you have decreased two stitches into one with the new stitch on your left needle.

SSK Knitting • Slip Slip Knit Decrease

The Slip Slip Knit Knitting technique is often used in conjunction with K2Tog, as it is left-slanting for right-handed knitters (and right-slanting for left-handed knitters). Many garments or projects use these two decreases to shape your knitted work.

K2Tog and SSK knitted swatch demonstrating slants.

Kristen McDonnell
Author & Designer

After publishing her first knitting tutorial video, Kristen founded StudioKnit LLC. Enamored with teaching online, she films knitting lessons and designs from her vibrant production studio on Half Moon Bay’s California coast.

Kristen McDonnell is the author of the highly acclaimed book Knit Stitch: 50 Knit + Purl Patterns featuring vintage and unique designs.

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