October 10, 2026 / Marie

    Definition

    A decrease is a knitting technique used to remove one or more stitches from your work to reduce its width. Unlike an increase, which adds stitches, a decrease combines or closes stitches, creating a gradual narrowing. This technique is essential for shaping a project (such as rounding a neckline, tapering a sleeve, or creating a point).

    When to Use Decreases

    Decreases are used frequently in structured knitting to create specific shapes: the armholes of a sweater, the curve of a raglan sleeve, or the point of a triangular shawl. Without decreases, your work would remain a flat rectangle. They are typically indicated in charts or written instructions via symbols or abbreviations (such as K2tog, SSK, etc.). A knitter decides where to place decreases for both aesthetic reasons (to create visible “decrease lines”) and structural reasons (to ensure the garment fits the body correctly).

    Key Takeaways

    • Decreases reduce the number of active stitches: you move from X stitches to X-1 or X-2, depending on the method used.
    • They structure the project: without them, it would be impossible to create fitted shapes (sweaters, socks, mittens).
    • They can be decorative: decrease lines (visible slopes) often become a key design element.
    • Direction matters: a right-leaning decrease (K2tog) or a left-leaning decrease (SSK) creates different visual effects.
    • They work in tandem with increases: together, these techniques allow for the full shaping of a garment.

    Increase — The opposite technique, which adds stitches to the project. While decreasing shrinks the fabric, increasing widens it.

    Knitting Shaping — The set of techniques (increases, decreases, and stitch changes) used to modify the shape of a project to fit a specific silhouette.

    Knit 2 Together (K2tog) — A specific decrease technique where two stitches are knitted as one, creating a slope that leans to the right.

    SSK (Slip, Slip, Knit) — Another common decrease technique that produces a slope leaning to the left. You slip two stitches, then knit them together, creating a mirror image of the K2tog.

    FAQ

    When should I use a decrease? Whenever you need to reduce the number of stitches to create a shape. Common examples include closing a neckline, tapering sleeves, rounding out armholes, or shaping accessories like mittens and shawls.

    What is the difference between K2tog and SSK? Both remove a stitch, but they create opposing visual slopes. K2tog leans right, while SSK leans left. This difference is visible in the finished fabric and allows you to create symmetrical patterns on either side of a center line (a technique frequently used in raglan sweaters).

    Should I place decreases in the edge stitches? Not necessarily, but it is often recommended to keep the edges looking clean. Edge stitches (the first and last stitches of a row) provide more structure and frame decreases well. This improves the overall finish of the project, especially on edges that will eventually be seamed together.