There are different ways to decrease stitches. Here I’ll show you how to knit two stitches together. But you can also make a left leaning decrease, or a central double decrease. To learn that have a look at the other tutorials.
If you knit two stitches together, you have one stitch less at the end. You can easily decrease stitches this way, for example for necklines. In combination with yarn overs you can also use them for different lace patterns, for example for the beautiful leaf stitch.
Variation 1: Knit two stitches together knitwise
In this variation you knit two stitches together as if you would knit one stitch.
Step 1: Knit up to the point where you want to knit the two stitches together kntiwise. Your working thread is behind the work.
Step 2: Now insert the right needle into the two stitches at the same time, exactly the same way you do it when you knit only one stitch.
Step 3: Wrap the working thread once from back to front around the right needle.
Step 4: Knit the two stitches as if it were only one stitch.
Step 5: Let the two stitches slide off your left needle. Now you have only one stitch on your right needle instead of two.
Variation 1: Knit two stitches together purlwise
In this variation you knit two stitches together as if you would purl one stitch.
Step 1: Knit up to the point where you want to knit the two stitches together purlwise. Your working thread is in front of the work.
Step 2: Now insert the right needle into the two stitches at the same time, exactly the same way you do it when you purl only one stitch.
Step 3: Wrap the working thread once from back to front around the right needle.
Step 4: Purl the two stitches as if it were only one stitch.
Step 5: Let the two stitches slide off your left needle. Now you have only one stitch on your right needle instead of two.
