Right Leaning and Left Leaning Purl Decreases

Right Leaning and Left Leaning Purl Decreases

There is a bit of confusion around paired purl decreases. First, because the slant of the decreasing line is determined by the way it looks on the knit side of the fabric and not on the side we see when we make these decreases.

Also, because the slant doesn’t really matter much if the purl side of the work is the right side of the project – the bumpy texture formed by purls makes the decreasing lines almost invisible.

Confusing or not, these methods are widely used in cases when we decrease one or more stitches at each side of the fabric in every row.

When it happens, paired purl decreases are used alternatively with paired knit decreases – “knit 2 together” (k2tog) and “slip, slip, knit” (ssk).

In this tutorial, we’ll take a look at the most common ways to decrease stitches on the purl side of the work so that the resulting stitches slant to the right or to the left on the knit side of the fabric.

Use the same logic when you need to decrease more than one stitch. To make a right leaning double decrease, purl 3 stitches together. To decrease two stitches with a slant to the left, make a “slip, slip, slip, purl” decrease.


The full step-by-step photo tutorial about this method, is a part of the Knitting Collection #6. Once you order your copy of this collection, you will instantly receive a “big PDF” (370 pages!) with this and 43 other tutorials included in the collection.

You will also receive one e-book and two knitting patterns as a special bonus, so go ahead and get it all right now before you forget 😊


If you enjoyed this tutorial,
here’s something else you might find helpful:

“Matching Cast Ons and Bind Offs” Book

Discover six pairs of cast on and bind off methods that form identical edges on projects worked flat and in the round.

“Neat Side Edges” Book

Learn twelve ways to make side edges of a knitted project nice and tidy. Plus, ways to fix side edges, and a way to improve edges of finished projects.


Happy knitting!

Maryna Shevchenko - www.10rowsaday.com

Right Leaning and Left Leaning Purl Decreases | 10 rows a day
Right Leaning and Left Leaning Purl Decreases | 10 rows a day
Right Leaning and Left Leaning Purl Decreases | 10 rows a day