What Does SSK Mean in Knitting?
SSK stands for slip slip knit — a two-stitch decrease that leans to the left. If your pattern calls for SSK, it's asking you to reduce two stitches into one in a way that creates a diagonal line slanting to the left on the right side of the fabric. It's the mirror image of k2tog (knit two together), which leans to the right.
Why the Lean Direction Matters
Decreases have direction because the stitch that ends up on top determines which way the fabric flows. In a right-leaning decrease (k2tog), the right stitch sits on top. In a left-leaning decrease (SSK), the left stitch sits on top.
In most shaped knitting — raglan sleeves, sock gussets, hat crowns, shawl increases worked in reverse — decreases are placed in mirrored pairs on either side of a center point. The right edge uses k2tog; the left edge uses SSK. This symmetry makes the shaping look intentional and professional rather than lopsided.
If you use k2tog in both places, both lines will lean the same direction. This is a detectable error on any shaped piece.
How to Work SSK — Step by Step
- Slip the next stitch from the left needle to the right needle knitwise — insert the right needle as if to knit, but don't knit it; just slide it over. This twist reorients the stitch.
- Slip the following stitch from the left needle to the right needle knitwise as well. Now you have two slipped stitches on the right needle, both twisted slightly.
- Insert the left needle through the front of both slipped stitches, going from left to right. The left needle tip enters from the left side and exits to the right, passing through both stitches simultaneously.
- Wrap the working yarn around the right needle and knit both stitches together through the front of this combined position. Pull the loop through both stitches.
- Slide both stitches off the left needle. You've decreased by one stitch.
The result is a stitch that leans to the left. On the right side of your work, you'll see the new stitch sitting with its base pointing toward the upper left.
SSK vs sl1-k1-psso — What's the Difference?
Older patterns (particularly British ones) often use sl1-k1-psso (slip 1, knit 1, pass slipped stitch over) instead of SSK. Both are left-leaning decreases that reduce two stitches to one, and the finished result is functionally the same.
The difference is in execution: sl1-k1-psso slips one stitch purlwise, knits the next, then passes the slipped stitch over the knit stitch. SSK slips both stitches knitwise before knitting them together. SSK is generally considered to produce a slightly neater decrease — the slipping knitwise reorients both stitches so they sit more cleanly — but in practice, on a finished garment, most people can't tell them apart.
If your pattern says sl1-k1-psso, you can substitute SSK and the garment will look correct. If the pattern says SSK specifically, work the SSK as written.
When Your Pattern Specifies SSK vs k2tog
The placement of SSK and k2tog in a pattern follows predictable logic:
- At the beginning of a right-side row: SSK (leans left, toward the center of the work)
- At the end of a right-side row: k2tog (leans right, toward the center of the work)
- On either side of a center marker: SSK to the right of center (leans left), k2tog to the left of center (leans right)
This creates a symmetric V-shape of decreases on both sides of a shaping point. On a raglan sweater, you'll see this pattern repeated every right-side row as the sleeve cap is shaped. On a top-down shawl, you'll see SSK and k2tog framing the spine decrease.
Common SSK Mistakes
Slipping purlwise instead of knitwise. If you slip both stitches purlwise (the way you slip stitches when passing them to hold), the stitches won't be reoriented, and the decrease will have a slightly twisted look. Make sure both slips are knitwise — insert the right needle as if you're about to knit, then just slide.
Inserting the left needle into the back instead of the front. Step 3 requires the left needle through the front of both slipped stitches. Through the back produces a twisted stitch. Through the front gives you the clean left-leaning decrease.
Swapping SSK and k2tog. Double-check your placement if your shaping lines both lean the same direction — this is the most common pattern-reading error with paired decreases.
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