There comes a time in knitting when you have to decrease stitches. Sometimes decreases are purely decorative and other times decreases are used to shape the fabric. Usually only one stitch is decreased, but occasionally we need to decrease multiple stitches. The k4tog and s4k are two handy ways to decrease three stitches in your knitting.
Before You Begin
The two most common ways to decrease two or more stitches are to knit a group of stitches together or to slip a series of stitches individually, knitwise, then knit them together through the back loops.
These decreases are executed much like knit two togethers (k2tog) or slip, slip knits (ssk). The primary difference is how many stitches you are working together.
These decreases are executed much like knit two togethers (k2tog) or slip, slip knits (ssk). The primary difference is how many stitches you are working together.
Materials
Thanks to Skacel for providing the addi FlexiFlip needles and the Schoppel Admiral Cat Print Yarn used in this tutorial. These products are available locally at many yarn shops and online at Makers' Mercantile.k4tog and s4k (or ssssk)
Recommended Pattern
Ready to try this technique in a pattern? The Secret Admirer Socks Pattern shown in this lesson has video tutorials to help you learn and practice these skills:
- Cable Cast On with addi FlexiFlips
- The Meaning of 'No Stitch' on a Stitch Chart
- Knit 4 Together and Slip 4 Knit (k4tog/s4k)
- Right and Left Twists (t2r/t2l)
- Preventing Gusset Gaps
- How to Turn a Sock Heel
- Picking Up Stitches on a Garter Edged Heel Flap