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.

Make One Stitches, Increases

If you have a hard time remembering which way to insert your needle when making a make 1 left or make 1 right (M1L, M1R), here’s a saying to help you.
“I left through the front door but I’ll be right back.”
Therefore, a left slanting increase (M1L) tells you to put your needle through the front of the stitch and a right slanting increase (M1R) tells you to put your needle through the back of the stitch to start the increase.