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ssk: Slip, slip, knit
Slip two stitches one at a time knitwise to the right needle. A decrease removes stitches, so the stitch count at the end of the row is lower than at the start. Patterns usually state the new total in brackets.
How to work ssk
Slip two stitches one at a time knitwise to the right needle. Insert the left needle into the fronts of both stitches and knit them together through the back loops. It leans to the left, mirroring k2tog.
Common mistake
Slipping the stitches purlwise, which twists them and leaves a messy decrease.
Effect on your stitch count
It removes 1 stitch.
How it looks in a pattern
A typical line (an invented example for illustration):
Row 5 (RS): K1, ssk, knit to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.Spacing it evenly
Need to spread ssk evenly across a row? Use the increase and decrease calculator.
Related abbreviations
All terms are in the knitting abbreviations list, and in the app's Glossary, which works offline.
Frequently asked questions
What does ssk stand for?
ssk stands for slip, slip, knit.
Does ssk change the number of stitches?
It removes 1 stitch.