I have been knitting.
I have been knitting the Ribbed Lace Sock from Sensational Knitted Socks. It’s a relatively easy knit, but when I knitted it the whole way (cuff down) to the start of the heel flap, I didn’t like the way the ssk’s looked. I frogged it.
I started again, got to the same level again. And realized I was doing the same thing. It dawned on me that I have probably always done the same thing.
Meaning – I usually slip the stitch, slip the next stitch, then insert the (left) needle through the FRONT of the 2 stitches, and knit them together.
It didn’t look right.
So I frogged it back again and re-did it – again.
This time I did the slip, slip thing the same BUT when I went to knit the 2 stitches together I put the left needle down through the stitches from the top….um, like up and down through towards the left. Then knitted them.
They looked much better and I was happy.
Until I started to write this post.
And realized that the other way was “correct”.
But then I remembered a post I had seen a long time ago from Nona Knits showing 7, yep, 7 different left slanting decreases. None of them show the version I did.
So now I am a doubting Thomas. Doubting myself. I googled the term ’ssk knitting definition’ and ended up with the following links.
wiseNeedle whom said
SSK – Slip one stitch knitwise; slip 1 stitch purlwise. Return both stitches to the other needle, then knit them together. This forms a decrease equivalent to K2tog, but slanted in the other direction.
wool works craft said
1. (Slip 1 knitwise) twice.
2. Insert left needle into front of these two sts, from left, and
k2tog.
And even a VIDEO showing Sarah doing an ssk. (I have even heard a whisper that Sarah lives in my neck of the woods).
They are knitted on a nice 5 ply with nice big needles so it’s not causing me much grief. In fact every time I have frogged them I have just calmly done so. As my Grandfather used to say
If it’s worth doing it worth doing well
I knit socks so much because, for me, they are a learning process. Small. Portable. Quick (sometimes). Challenging. All good.
I will organize photographic evidence soon as I know that I do need the home computer – it’s in getting fixed.
But what do you think about the ssk business? I’d like to know….
I am a sock-knitter-learner and I use the method Nora has listed with the video. I think this produces a very nice look. Nice discussion however.
I slip them both knitwise and then… well… now I’ll have to go knit something that calls for ssk because I honestly can’t remember what I do next.
http://www.knittinghelp.com/dynamic/php/video/index.php?file=/decrease/ssk-english-rds.mpg
or
http://www.knittinghelp.com/dynamic/php/video/index.php?file=/decrease/ssk-rds.mpg
oh – and I like the new template!
I do my SSKs the wool works craft way.
ie: slip 1 knitwise, slip another 1 knitwise, then insert the left handle needle into the 2 slipped stitches from left to right, keeping the left hand needle in front of the right hand needle, then wrapping the working yarn around the right hand needle and finishing off the stitch.
I’m always tempted to say “bugger it” and just do K2togTBL like 2paw but I’m too hung up on my right and left decreases appearing properly symmetrical.
I laugh in the face of SSKs and I just K2togTBL!!! I have a very cavalier attitude!! Socks are very good though, I take mine in my bag most everywhere I go and I often get a few rounds knitted in a queue!!!
I slip one stitch knitwise, next stitch slip purlwise and then knit them together through the BACK loops. I got this technique from knittinghelp.com. She has great videos and talks about various ssk techniques and I just thought this one looked the best
I always slip knitwise, slip knitwise, insert the left needle on top of the right needle going under from right to left and then knitting.
I do them how you do them! I remember being completely stumped by the instruction the first time I came across it (when knitting my first sock) but found a picture. I don’t think it is as neat as the right slanting decrease but it is better than s1,k1,psso, I think. Maybe I should be more adventurous!
umm, I just slip them knitwise, but when I read an SSK, I usually slip 1 knitwise, K1, then slip it over the knitted stitch. My bad. Never worried about doing it any other way… I remember Nona’s post that you are referring to as well.