Order On-Line Site Map Search

HeartStrings FiberArts
Inspiration & Patterns for Wearable Art in Timeless Styles

What's New Locate a Retailer Wholesale Portal Resources As Seen In About
Lace Scarves/Stoles
Beaded Scarves
Faroese Shawls
Other Shawls
Sweaters and Vests
Socks & Sock-Nots
Wrist Warmers
Neck & Up
For the Man
Other Goodies
Holidays/Seasonal
Comfort Collection
A Year of Socks
I Hate to Purl
PDF Catalog & Flyers
Patterns by Yarn Weight
Beaded Patterns Only
Close-out Kits & Paks
Tips to Tutorials
Free Newsletter Signup
A Thank You Gift Offer
Where is Jackie?
Online Classes
Trade Shows
Visit My Blog
Jackie ES on Ravelry
Follow me on Follow JackieErickson on Twitter


Your thank you donation, small or large, is very much appreciated. Money will be used to continue to bring you free educational resources and newsletters.


"I just love the simplicity of your patterns and the complexity of their appearance."
- Maureen M.
"I enjoy your website. It is easy to use and full of information, just as I would expect it to be."
- Debby L.
"Your patterns are just fabulous ... unique and yet based on tradition."
- Jennifer C.

"I just read the Color mini-tutorial and although I have taken several color classes at conferences, you added new ways of looking at color mixtures. My mantra is "Color is Everything" so I am thrilled to think about it in more ways now."
- Bara

SSK Alternative Method

A no-slip, no-remount method for making a left-leaning decrease

In lace knitting, the ssk stitch (or its equivalent left leaning decrease sl1-k1-psso) is often used as a compensating decrease for the yarn overs that are fundamental to the construction of knitted lace. Usually, the methods described for making either of these left-leaning decreases involve slipping of stitches and changing the orientation of one or both stitches so they are not twisted.

In looser 'moose lace' type knitting, I have found an alternative method for making an equivalent ssk that does not involve slipping or remounting. This speeds up the knitting somewhat for me, as well as being a fun change of pace. For example, I used this method on portions of models I made for Palette of Colors Shrug and Lacie Blankie. In those patterns as published, I described in the abbreviations and techniques section the more traditional and accepted method for working an ssk, rather than this seemingly esoteric method. This method gives same results and I wanted to take the opportunity now to share it with you so that you may consider for your own use if you find you like it.

In this discussion, I will be assuming you are knitting off your left hand needle onto your right needle, and that stitches as they face you are normally mounted with the right leg of the stitch forward on the needle.

Although the photos are shown for English style knitting (working yarn held in right hand), the method is same as for Continental knitting (working yarn held in left hand).

Begin the left-leaning 2-stitch decrease by inserting right hand needle point as if to knit into first stitch on left hand needle.

Without removing that stitch from left hand needle, use your right hand needle point to bring the left leg of that stitch forward ...

... and such that right hand needle point is now positioned in front of second stitch on left hand needle.

Insert right hand needle point as if to knit into second stitch on left hand needle. Note that the first stitch is still on both the left and right hand needles.

Wrap or scoop working yarn as normal to make a stitch.

Normally I would not be holding my working yarn this far from the needles, but I didn't want my hands to get in the way of you seeing the stitches.

With right hand needle point, draw working yarn through both loops on left hand needle.

To help navigate the working yarn between the loops, I sometimes find it helpful to dip my right hand needlepoint downwards a bit and sort of 'weave' the needle point through the loops. It sounds complicated, but once you get the rhythm, I think you will find it fluid and fun.

Drop both loops off left hand needle to complete the decrease.

Return to Index of Jackie E-S Articles & Tips.

HeartStrings FiberArts is a wholesale pattern company. I encourage individuals to visit your local yarn store or check the Store Locator to purchase hard-copy patterns and downloadable e-patterns. If you don't already have a favorite retailer from whom to buy, you can use the HeartStrings online catalog at Shopatron. This service will find a retailer with the patterns you want in stock to mail to you right away.

Can I help you further? Thank you for stopping by. I am here to serve you. For your convenience, you may contact me by any of these means. Kind regards, Jackie E-S

Email address: jackie@heartstringsfiberarts.com
On-line wholesale orders: http://www.heartstringsfiberarts/wholesaleorder.shtm
Wholesale order line (voice): 888-955-8094 (toll-free outside New Orleans area) or 985-764-8094
Fax: Paper-saving US toll-free line 888-467-7840
Direct line for HeartStrings pattern support and customer service: 985-764-8094 or 877-764-2747 (toll-free in US)
Postal address: HeartStrings, Jackie Erickson-Schweitzer, 53 Parlange Drive, Destrehan LA 70047-2133 USA

Company
Meet Jackie E-S
What's New
As Seen In
e-Newsletter
Class/Exhibit Schedule
Privacy Statement
Design Gallery
Lace Scarves/Stoles
Beaded Scarves
Faroese Shawls
Triangle Shawls
Lace Sweaters
Casual Wear
Socks & Sock-Nots
Wrist Warmers
Neck & Up Coverings
Other Goodies
Holidays
Comfort Collection
Sock Journal
I Hate to Purl Collection
Beaded Patterns Only
Featured Yarns
Buy Patterns
Where to Buy
On-line Retail Orders
Downloadable Patterns
Wholesale Orders
Retailers Only
Wholesale Terms
Dealer Application
Support Services
Wholesale Ordering
Classes
Tutorials
Travel Teaching
Online Classes

Mini-Tutorials
Playing with Color
Using a Swift
Wraps per Inch
What is Blooming?
To Seam or Not?
Dealing with Ends?
The Lifeline
Blocking in Progress
Blocking Tips
Repairing a Disaster
Lever-Action Knitting
3R's of Knitting
Resources
Catalogs and Flyers
Newsletter Archive
Jackie E-S Blog
Articles & Tips
Link Banners
Pattern Index
Errata
Site Map
Search Site

Last revised Sunday, 06-Apr-2008 18:56:26 CDT