We do not use this decrease very often, but when we do, it is usually uncomfortable. The “purl” part of the “slip slip purl” decrease means that we should purl two stitches together through the back loop. So we twist our wrists to insert the right needle from left to right under the back legs of two stitches. Not comfortable at all.
There is an easier way to make the same left-leaning purl decrease. This way does not involve any awkward moves, and it forms a decrease that is less bulky than the classic “slip slip purl” (SSP) – great bonus for any projects, especially the ones worked in a thick yarn.
This decrease is made in five simple steps. To watch these steps in a video tutorial:
STEP 1
After you get to the place where you need to make a left-leaning purl decrease, purl one stitch.
STEP 2
With the working yarn at the front of the work, insert the tip of the right needle from left to right into the next stitch, then take the left needle out slipping this stitch to the right needle knitwise.
STEP 3
Slip both stitches back to the left needle. This time, do it purlwise, without twisting the stitches.
STEP 4
Insert the tip of the right needle from right to left into the second stitch from the tip of the left needle. It will be the stitch that we slipped knitwise in the second step.
Pass this stitch over the first stitch on the left needle and off the needle.
STEP 5
Return the already-purled stitch to the right needle.
Usually this stitch gets a bit loose when we move it between the needles a few times, so pull the working yarn to tighten this stitch before you resume working on your project.
If you make these decreases in every other row and place them on top of each other, you will form a lovely decreasing line that slants to the left on the knit side of the fabric.
To make the decreasing line on the knit side of the work nice and neat, knit the stitch resulting from the decrease in the next row.
SAVE IT FOR LATER:
This and 41 other in-depth tutorials are part of Knitting Collection #6.