The decreases in knitting are just what they seem: decreases in the number of stitches on the needle. There are several methods to perform this technique, and this article will give you a brief overview of all of them.
Steps
Step 1. Choose which decrease to use
If you are knitting without a pattern or if the pattern is very vague, you have to rely only on your skills to choose how to do it. Consider whether you want a break in your work or a seamless change. The following steps will help you learn some of the decrease techniques.
Step 2. Work two straight stitches together:
This is one of the simplest decreases. To do this, lower by sliding the needle under the second bottom stitch as if you were going to work it and take the first stitch as well. Then work them both. Basically you are treating two points as if it were one. This is a tight, decreasing decrease to the right.
Step 3. Make two purl stitches together:
It's the same as making two straight stitches together, only this time you will take the two stitches as if you were working one purl, and purl it to create a decrease to the left.
Step 4. Straight stitch and back, pass it and back:
Make a straight stitch and then slide it back onto the left needle. Use the right needle to slide the second stitch over the left one over this stitch. Slide the first stitch of the left needle onto the right needle to finish the decreasing decrease on the right.
Step 5. Slip a stitch twice and knit it:
This is a similar technique to the first. Slip the first two stitches (in the direction of work) off the left needle and onto the right one. Insert the left needle into both stitches and work them from behind. This is another tight decrease, decreasing to the right.
There is also the improved version of the decrease above, where you slide the first stitch in the direction of work and the second purl, so that the decrease stays flat
Step 6. Purl two stitches and knit them:
Slide two stitches straight and then bring them back to the left needle. Increase with the back through the colon and join them together with a purl for a decreasing decrease to the right.
Step 7. Slip 1 stitch, knit 1, slip past stitch, slipped stitch straight, work 1, or slip over stitch:
Slip a purl stitch, purl one and then slip a stitch and slide the second stitch from the right needle over the first stitch to make a decreasing decrease to the right.
Step 8. Decrease with yarn over:
Slip the yarn over as if you were going to make a yarn over. Slide two straight stitches, and then work them together like regular yarn over as you slip them back on the left needle.
Step 9. Be careful if you are lowering on a purl or straight stitch
This gives you an idea of which decrease to use to create the right stitch to fit into the pattern or make a right stitch for your work.
