Sloppy SSK'S & How To Fix Them

Sloppy SSK's and How To Fix That

When knitting in the round, If you are going to SSK Stitches 3 and 4 on Round 2 of your knitting, do this for a nice, tight SSK on Round 2:

On ROUND 1, you will 'set up' the stitches for the SSK on Round 2 like this:  On ROUND 1, (previous round), slip stitch no. 2, and continue knitting your round.

On ROUND 2, the SSK round, when you get to Stitch No. 2, the slipped stitch, pick up the 'bar' behind that slipped stitch with your left needle, and pull it through the slipped stitch with your right needle. You have now tightened the first stitch in your SSK.  Knit the SSK stitch as you normally would.

Please refer to this excellent video by Cat Bordhi to see how the 'bar' is pulled through the slipped stitch on the SSK round: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bMHXK3JxrJA

Annie Modesitt also has a technique as well:  

http://sulia.com/channel/crafts/f/e92147d4-41b1-4154-b5cd-63120a3c86f5/?source=fb&random=0.634486375605#

Slanting Decreases

An easy way to remember which way a decrease slants is by using this logic. A left slanting decrease is an SSK which has a left slant (the S) in the middle of it. A right slanting decrease is a K2tog which has a right slant (the 2). See: S2 = \ /. Left slant, right slant.

Decreasing Slants - k2tog or ssk

If you have a hard time remembering when to use a k2tog and when to use a ssk while decreasing when using a chart, here’s a tip for you. The symbols on the chart follow the shape of how you work the stitch so use this guide:
/ follows the curve of the number 2 so you k2tog (knit two stitches together)
\ follows the curve of the letter S so you ssk
(slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 1 stitch knitwise (or purlwise), then knit both of those stitches together through the back loop)

Finishing Hat or Cap Tops

When your project ends with decreasing stitches fast like the top of a cap, the fingers of a glove or the top of an ornament, here’s how to make the finish look smoother. When the pattern says to thread yarn through remaining stitches and pull tight, run your yarn through those stitches a second time and then pull tight from the inside. The double yarn will help fill the loops of those stitches so they don’t gap, make the closing stronger and also help the closing circle lie flat. Another trick to use a smaller needle for the last few rounds of decrease.

Decreases

If you need to make paired decreases like in sweater sleeves and if you are knitting circular, place one color marker at the seamline and different colored markers at the end of the stitches that will not be decreased. It makes it easy to see how many decreases you have left and you can easily count to make sure you did the decreases on both sides of the center marker.

Keeping Track of Increases With Split Ring Markers

If you need to keep track of increases or decreases when knitting sleeves or other shaped areas, link together split ring markers. If you increase or decrease on the 6th row, use 5 green markers and 1 red marker and link together to make a circle. Every time you knit a row, move so the next marker is on your needle. When you get to the red marker, it's time to knit the increase or decrease. Hopefully with this aid you won't forget which row you are on when you put down your knitting.