K2tog: the right-leaning decrease

K2tog (knit two together) is the simplest decrease in knitting: you knit two stitches as if they were one, turning them into a single stitch that leans to the right. It's the decrease patterns reach for by default, and the right-leaning partner of ssk.

How to work a k2tog

1. With the yarn in back, insert the right needle knitwise through the front loops of the next two stitches at once, front to back, entering the second stitch from the tip first.
2. Wrap the yarn as for a normal knit stitch and pull the new loop through both stitches.
3. Drop both old stitches off the left needle.

One new stitch, leaning right. One stitch decreased.

When to use it

Anywhere a pattern says decrease without specifying, and anywhere a right-leaning slant is wanted. In mirrored shaping the convention is k2tog at the end of a section (before a marker), with ssk at the start, so the two lines of decreases lean towards each other symmetrically on sock toes, raglans and hat crowns.

Common mistakes

• Catching only one stitch: you knit one and drop the other, losing a stitch messily. Glance at the needle before wrapping: it should sit through two loops.
• Splitting the yarn: sharp tips through two snug stitches split plies easily. Slow down at the insertion.
• Fighting tight stitches: if you can't get into both loops, gently loosen them at the needle tips rather than stretching them wide.