Sloppy SSKs Solved!
Today I’m going to tell you the story of a hat I just finished for my son. When I reached the decreases for the crown I was not at all happy with how they looked. The pattern calls for an ssk (slip, slip, knit) followed by a K2tog (knit two stitches together).
I’ve long noticed that my ssks are a bit more sloppy than my K2togs. I’ve used the trick of slipping the first stitch knit-wise and then slipping the second stitch purl-wise before knitting them together in an attempt to tighten them up. However, I’ve never been entirely happy with that result unless I’m using a fingering weight yarn where they aren’t as noticeable in the first place.
Two by Two hat designed by Anne Gagnon. Decrease style is ssk followed by a k2tog. This is the ‘after’ photo!
This hat is made with worsted/aran weight yarn and my sloppy ssks were indeed noticeable! I decided to do some research to see if I could improve them. The construction of the ssk is different from the construction of the K2tog and therein lies the problem. I found one way, developed by Cat Bordhi, that seemed daunting and I kept looking. I then found Patty Lyon’s One Move SSK. It made a huge difference and I will use this way of doing an ssk from now on! I want to share the success of this technique with all of you.
I followed her clear and precise instructions in her YouTube video and I was off and knitting! I wish I’d taken ‘before’ pictures so you could all see the amazing difference. Sometimes when our knitting doesn’t look quite the way we’d like it to we think it’s a problem with us. Maybe we just need to try a different technique!
Dissent Toque designed by Andrea Rangel. Andrea used the ssk/k2tog technique but added two knit stitches in between for a distinctive look. If you look carefully you can see the diagonal stitches where the decreases are.
I’ve made several hats lately and I’ve noticed that designers use many ways of decreasing for the crown. Some decreases sit prettily on top of the stockinette fabric. Some are incorporated into the fabric and are not as noticeable; it all depends on the shape and look the designer prefers for that specific pattern.
PetiteKnit’s The Oslo Hat uses a unique technique for her decreases, K2tog tbl followed by k2tog
Sofia Moussa’s Snowy Trees Hat uses k2tog only for her decreases. Notice how they sit on top of the fabric.
The next time you’re in the shop, look closely at the crown decreases and compare several hats to see the differences! It’s fun to be reminded that there is always more than one way to do something!
The Scrappy Marl hat, designed by Beata Jezek uses CDDs (Center Double Decrease) for her decreases.
Julie’s Finds
We love candles at My Sister Knits! Julie found these wick cutters that work nicely to keep the candle wicks trimmed. Their shape makes it so much easier than trying to use scissors! Plus, the little flat part catches the excess wick for easy disposal!
