Q&A for How to Knit Decreases

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Where can I use a knit decrease?

Blythe Nudelman
Knitting Expert
Blythe Nudelman is a Knitting Expert based in Ponderay, Idaho. She is the owner and operator of Twilight Fibers, a knitting shop and business in Ponderay. Twilight Fibers' products are made of 100% all natural yarns & fibers. They sell a large variety of products for knitting, crochet, embroidery, and other craft hobbies.

Blythe Nudelman

Knitting Expert

Expert Answer

Decreasing knitting rows can be used on beanies or caps. First off, it helps shape your project, giving it a tapered and snug fit. As you decrease stitches, the fabric starts to gather, forming a rounded crown that sits nicely on the head. By reducing the number of stitches in each row, you're narrowing the fabric until it forms a small opening. Once you've completed the decreases, you can gather the remaining stitches together, cinching them tightly to close the hole completely, which shapes your hat or beanie.

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Question

How can I decrease 4 stitches?

SarahB

Community Answer

Decrease two stitches at the beginning of each row and two at the end by knitting the two stitches together.

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Question

Do you decrease the next stitch every time you knit?

LibraryMouse

Community Answer

Not unless your pattern calls for it.

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Question

When saying "decrease at each end of the needle," is that the same as beginning and end of a row?

LibraryMouse

Community Answer

Yes.

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Question

How do you count to decrease every eight stitches?

LibraryMouse

Community Answer

Count your stitches. After you decrease, count eight stitches, then decrease, then count eight stitches, then decrease, and so on.

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Question

I am a beginner,I somehow started with 80 st knitting and now 7 inches into the pattern, I have 95. Can I just decrease at beginning and end of each row? I do not want to pull it out––I will give up if I have to do that.

Community Answer

It would be better if you decrease within the stitches that are towards the middle it helps make a smoother transition back to the 80 st.

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How can I do single stitches between double stitches?

Sandrina Bern

Community Answer

You can insert the hook into the space between two double stitches of the previous row. Do not insert it into the loop on top of the stitch.

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Question

If I am adding a garter stitch yoke and need to decrease stitches every 6th row, should the decrease be on the forward facing pattern side or the reverse?

Community Answer

Do a quick test and see which you like best. What counts is what pleases your eye!

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Question

Should I do a knit row after each decrease row?

Community Answer

Yes, you should usually do this unless the pattern says otherwise. Do some practice decreases with waste yarn.

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Question

I have a p1, k1 for 41 stitches, and I have to decrease 6 stitches evenly across. How many stitches will be between the decreases, and what is the best decrease method to use?

Community Answer

Divide 41 by 6, which gives you 6 5/6, but as you are in 1x1 rib, you will be doing a double decrease by sl1, k2tog, psso or the purl equivalent. I'd do my double decreases near each end of the work and one in the center, 19 stitches from each side. It's rib, so you have to work with it.

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Question

my pattern says to decrease 9 stitches at beginning of my row. How will that be done if it is a purl row?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Purl the first stitch, then put it back onto the left needle. Purl 2 stitches together, then put this stitch back onto the left needle. You have now decreased by 1 stitch and set up to decrease the next stitch. Continue to decrease in this manner for the required number of stitches.

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Question

I am knitting garter stitch, and the pattern asks me to decrease in every row. If I k2tog tbl on the RS, what stitch should I do on the WS to match?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Garter stitch is the same on both sides. You simply repeat the decrease on RS on the WS to make the decrease for every row of your pattern.

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Question

How do I do psso knitting?

T. Chinsen

Top Answerer

Psso stands for "pass slipped stitch over". It is usually used in decreasing in a pattern. The first stitch is slipped onto the right needle and the next stitch is knitted. The stitch on the right needle is then slipped over the knitted stitch.

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Question

How many stitches are remaining if the pattern says dec first at each end of first and every foll alt row?

Community Answer

You are decreasing two stitches each row. Multiply the number of rows you will be decreasing on times 2 and subtract from your starting number of stitches.

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Question

When it says "decrease on next and every following 4th row," does that mean decrease on rows 1, 5, 9 etc.?

Community Answer

Yes, it means to decrease on your next row, and then after that every 4 rows.

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Question

How do I decrease 2 stitches evenly across?

Community Answer

You will have to use math for this one, just make sure that your decreases are evenly spaced. For example, if I have a row of 8, I would knit K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog, K. Avoid decreases on the ends of your rows when knitting flat, unless the pattern calls for it.

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