The Knitting Fiend

I use this double decrease when knitting the “Zig” version of the “Zig & Zag” sock. When worked every other round, the decrease creates a very strong vertical line which looks similar to the paired lifted increases, but a bit bolder. So, if you like to see nothing but straight lines dividing your chevrons, this is the choice for you.

These three steps will create your double decrease:

Slip 2 stitches at once as to knit. When doing this, insert the right tip into the second stitch on the left needle tip, slide through to the first stitch on the left needle tip. This is exactly what you do when you start a k2tog. (See above left.) Now, just slip both over to the right tip.

Knit the next stitch on the left needle tip; above left, I’ve inserted the tip to as to knit. I’ll wrap the yarn and pull through for a normal knit stitch. See above right.

Finally, insert the left tip into both slipped stitches at once; see above left. Pass both stitches over the knit stitch. (I find doing this a bit difficult but haven’t broken down and tried to pass them over 1 at a time.)

The final effect is as shown to the above right and also at the top of the article. Notice the stitch that used to be in the center lies over the ones that were on the right and left. Because the other to stitches lie behind it, the center stitch sort of stands out from the background.

I really like the way this looks, but I find passing the two stitches over a bit tight. If anyone knows a different way to get this effect, let me know!

Stumble it (and place in Knitting/crochet!)

12 Comments »

1. I’ve been doing this in lace a lot lately and I found a more comfortable way to pass the stitches over:

   I use my thumb and finger of my left hand (whichever finger is most easily available) to pinch the knitting, directly below the 2 slipped stitches, and pull downwards. This stretches the slipped stitches a little bit, leaving a space that I can easily fit my left needle into.

   I knit English. Not sure if this would be harder in Continental.

   Comment by beth — 3/13/2006 @ 8:21 pm

2. Does it help you at all to poke the left needle into the stitches to be passed over from right to left (backwards)?

   You also COULD slip the two stitches together as if to knit, slip the 3rd stitch as if to knit, and then slip them all back to the left needle and knit together through the back loop, couldn’t you? Is it any better? I did not have a hard time with this technique, but I think I was doing lace knitting when I did it, which is quite a bit looser.

   Comment by Linda — 3/13/2006 @ 8:24 pm

3. I’ll try a few ways. I also tried passing over each stitch individually. that was easier, but slower. So, over all not a benefit.

   I think part of the problem is these are socks, so I am trying to knit firmly. With lace, I’d be knitting looser, and it would be easier.

   Comment by lucia — 3/13/2006 @ 9:18 pm

4. Please help! I’m a beginner knitter! What do they mean when they say-psso pass slip stitch over knitted stitch.

   Comment by Dagmar Ballard — 3/24/2006 @ 8:21 am

5. Good Question.

   First, the psso instruction will always follow the instruction to slip a stitch, then knit a stitch. So, the full instruction is
   “Slip 1 (knitwise), knit 1, psso”

   After Slipping 1, and knitting one, insert the left needle tip into the second stitch from the edge of the right needle tip. (That’s the one you slipped.) Lift it over the stitch you just knit and drop it.

   You’ve decreased a stitch.

   Comment by lucia — 3/24/2006 @ 8:43 am

6. lucia, thankyou so much for explaining psso to me.

   Comment by Dagmar Ballard — 3/24/2006 @ 12:37 pm

7. Your site is very useful.

   Comment by Peter Jones — 4/24/2006 @ 2:39 am

8. [...] For a “Zig” the double increase (DD) is worked as follows: insert two stitches as though you are going to k2tog then slip them knitwise, k1, insert tip into both slipped stitches pass slipped stitches over knit stitch. This is illustrated in Another Double Decrease. [...]

   Pingback by The Knitting Fiend » Blog Archive » Zig & Zag Sockulator — 6/7/2006 @ 1:46 pm

9. I am a beginner knitter and got stuck on the p2sso stitch in the instructions on my first hat in the round. Thanks for this great page with pictures, NOW I get it!!!!

   Merry Christmas, great blog!
   LU

   Comment by Lucy — 12/10/2006 @ 10:11 pm

10. I am trying to find pictures of how to successfully execute a P2SSO stitch. I can not find any on the internet and was wondering if you could email me with attachments, showing how this is done.Thank you for your time in this matter.
    Kirsti

    Comment by kirsti — 2/20/2007 @ 7:00 pm

11. I have found your instructions very useful and have had no trouble getting the stitches over by putting the left needle into them. What you haven’t said is that the stitch is slipped on the wrong side to create a chain on the surface of the knitting on the right side.

    Thanks for your very clear explanation.

    Comment by Laura — 12/27/2008 @ 12:29 pm

12. is this also called double vertical wrap stitch – if not how do u do dvw

    Comment by bette ward — 7/25/2009 @ 8:52 pm

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