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Discussion starter · #1 ·
Does Slip, Slip, Knit where you slip 2 stitches knitwise and then knit them together by slipping your left needle into the stitches on the front side while they are on the right needle

the same as

Knit 2 together through the back loop on the left needle?

It seems cumbersome to slip both stitches and then reinsert the left needle into the two stitches to knit them together when you can just grab them from behind on the left needle and knit them.
 
I so the ssk as a k2tog, tbl. Important thing to remember is that no matter what way you do it keep the same way through the whole knitting.
I am doing lace work right now and have not been able to see the difference in the stitch. I am sure others will have something else to say. Me, I like to have speed.
 
When you slip each stitch as if to knit, the action 'seat' the stitches properly so that the stitch on the right, lies on top of the stitch on the left. If you knit through the back with out re-seating the stitches, the stitches are twisted. grant you, it still results in a decrease and sometimes it doesn't matter as to the final appearance.
 
If the pattern calls for right and left leaning decreases it makes a difference. If it doesn't and is just using the SSK as a decrease, then it doesn't matter except in how the finished fabric will look.
 
I don't believe that they are exactly the same. When you Do the SSK the stitches are twisted and the knit together is done on the then twisted legs (which were originally the front/right leg of the stitches). A K2T-tbl is actually using the back/left leg of the stitches. But in both cases, the two stitches lay flat with the right-most stitch laying on top of the 2nd stitch -- so they look very similar although I think the SSK shows more of the first stitch and the underlying stitch is nearly hidden. I prefer the SSK approach and it has become so habitual that I find it easier than the other. Frankly, I think this is one of those situations that it is knitter's-choice.
 
SSK and k2tog tbl, will lean the same way.
SSK and K2 tog, will lean opposite each other.
SSK will NOT twist the stitches.
K2 togtbl, WILL twist the stitches.
The different ways of doing decreases makes a difference in the appearence of the finished garment. Sometimes it doesn't matter very much. But those of you who want to knit lace, or learn more shaping, it will only improve your knitting skills to learn the differences between the many decreases and increases.

Marge St Pete said:
One leans right and the other leans left.
 
Discussion starter · #9 ·
Thanks to everyone for their time and responses. I guess it's up to me. It's a rib on a scarf, nothing anyone will compare to or examine as to how it was done. I just learned the SSK and thought about trying it through the back loop. I guess I should do it the way the pattern says if I ever get brave enough to try lace. I have to frog too many times to do lace. Too many interruptions for me to keep my place. :)
 
Ive noticed there is a slight difference. The SSK gives a slight veritical ridge on the right side of the work, wherease the k2tbl does not. Why not try a swatch with the two and see the difference - just remember which is which! And do keep the same method all the way through your work.
 
the leaning comes from one being k2tog through the front loop and k2tog through the back loop both of those lean in different directions..
I do the ssk the same as most here instead of slipping them I knit 2 through the back loop...
I agree with being consistant... mixing it up if there is a slight difference could show and that would not be good...
 
I took a knitting class with an instructor who was an expert lace knitter. He taught me a version of SSK that he uses because it is faster but looks like the standard SSK. It is similar to your question but has the right twist. Take the first stitch on the left needle and turn it around counterclockwise and put it back on the left. Then knit the first 2 stitches on the left needle through the back loop. I have used the in many lace projects. It give a left leaning decrease and I like the look very much. For me, it is much easier than the standard SSK.
 
I'm making an afghan and use both of these, each leans a different way. It affects the appearance of the ridge it makes. The SSK makes a nice ridge and looks better done this way. The K2 tog. makes a smaller ridge leaning toward the left, I think.
 
gclemens said:
If you knit continental combined method (all knit stitches are knit through the back loop) then the SSK will NOT twist the stitches.
Well, sort of. I do knit this way and have found that if a pattern asks for SSK I knit a k2tog for the reason you just stated-we knit 2 together through the back loop all the time. BUT if it asks for a k2tog then I do a SSK. That is I slip the stitches so the leading leg is in front and then knit them together through those leading legs. That way I get the stitches to lean correctly. It is the only time I find continental combined needs adjusting when following patterns.
 
I agree with Linda and Belle, who point out that TBL will twist your stitches assuming you always wrap counterclockwise when you knit.

You have to swatch both methods and see how you like each maneuver and how it looks in the given yarn, stitch pattern, and your personal knitting style.
 
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