Every now and then a pattern will require you to decrease on the purl side of the work. Just like knit-side decreases, some purl-side ones lean right and some lean left. This Purl 2 Together + Slip Slip Purl Tutorial shows you both. The purl 2 together (p2tog) decrease leans left, and if you’re working in stockinette stitch, you’ll see that it leans right on the knit side of the fabric, like a knit 2 together (k2tog). The slip slip purl (ssp) decrease leans right, and in stockinette stitch, it leans left on the knit side, like a slip slip knit (ssk). All of these decrease are worked over two stitches and decrease your stitch count by 1 stitch.

Note that an ssp is interchangeable with a p2tog tbl, although they are not exactly the same. The p2tog tbl twists the stitches, while an ssp maintains their orientation. The ssp more closely mimics the ssk that we like to use!

Let’s see this all in action!

Video Tutorial

Written Instructions

How To Purl 2 Together (p2tog)

Bring the yarn to the front of the work and insert the right needle into the first stitch on the left needle purlwise (as if it purl), then insert it into the second stitch on the left needle, also purlwise. Wrap the yarn counterclockwise around the front needle, and pushing your needle back, pull the yarn through the two stitches and allow those stitches to fall off the left needle. Just like purling, but working through two stitches instead of one!

P2TOG CHEAT SHEET

Purl side: Leans left

Knit side: Leans right

Mimics: K2tog

How to Slip, Slip, Purl (ssp)

Bring the yarn to the front of the work and slip the next stitch purlwise (as if to purl). Slip the next stitch knitwise (as if to knit). Insert left needle through front legs of both slipped stitches and slip them back to left needle. Now, insert right needle into back legs of next two stitches, starting with the second stitch and bringing right needle to front. Wrap the yarn counterclockwise around the front needle, and pushing your needle back, pull the yarn through the two stitches and allow those stitches to fall off the left needle.

SSP (AND P2TOG TBL) CHEAT SHEET

Purl side: Leans right

Knit side: Leans left

Mimics: Ssk

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