k2tog means knit 2 together — you insert your needle through two stitches at once and knit them as one, reducing your stitch count by one. It is one of the most common decreases in knitting patterns, and it leans to the right on the knit side of your work.
Why This Happens
Decreases like k2tog are used to shape knitting: narrowing sleeves, forming raglan lines, shaping the crown of a hat, or creating the pointed tips of a shawl. Any time a pattern needs fewer stitches at a specific point, k2tog (or a paired decrease like ssk) does the work.
Seeing k2tog for the first time in a pattern — especially without a clear explanation — can stop a project cold. It is simpler than it looks.
How to Work k2tog
- 1Insert your right needle into the next two stitches on the left needle at the same time, going through both from left to right (the same direction as a normal knit stitch).
- 2Wrap the working yarn around the right needle as for a normal knit stitch.
- 3Draw the loop through both stitches together and slip them off the left needle.
- 4You now have one stitch where two were — a right-leaning decrease.
On the knit side (right side of stockinette), the decrease leans to the right. This is why k2tog is typically used on the right side of a shaping pair, with ssk on the left side.
k2tog vs. ssk vs. k2tog-tbl — Comparison
| Abbreviation | Full name | Direction of lean | How worked |
|---|---|---|---|
| k2tog | Knit 2 together | Right | Insert needle through 2 sts knitwise (left to right), knit together |
| ssk | Slip, slip, knit | Left | Slip 2 sts knitwise one at a time, insert left needle through front of both slipped sts, knit together |
| k2tog-tbl | Knit 2 together through back loop | Left (twisted) | Insert needle through back loops of 2 sts, knit together — creates a twisted left-leaning decrease |
Most patterns use k2tog and ssk as mirror pairs. You will see them together in hat crowns, raglan increases worked in reverse, and symmetrical lace motifs.
Reading k2tog in a Pattern
"k2tog" by itself — knit 2 together on the current row.
"k2tog, yo" — knit 2 together, then yarn over. This decreases one stitch and then increases one, keeping the count even. Common in lace.
"ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1" — work a left-leaning decrease at the start and a right-leaning decrease near the end of the row. This is classic symmetrical shaping.
If you see k2tog tbl, that means knit 2 together through the back loop — a slightly different stitch that also leans left but creates a twisted appearance.
Prevent It Next Time
- Look up every abbreviation before starting a new pattern. Most patterns include an abbreviation key at the beginning or end — check there first.
- Print or bookmark the pattern with a notes section where you write out what each abbreviation means in plain language.
- Practice decreases on a swatch before working them in a shaping section — once you can see and feel the lean of k2tog vs. ssk, you will never confuse them again.
- Count stitches after every decrease row to confirm the count is correct before the next row.
Related Problems
If you are working with k2tog, you might also run into:
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