Centred Double Decrease in Eastern (Russian) Knitting

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting

There were no centred decreases in Eastern (previously known as Russian) knitting decades ago. At least, not according to an old Russian knitting book that explains the basics of a traditional Eastern knitting style.

Apparently, knitters were not worried about perfectly symmetrical decreases in their projects. They were more concerned about finishing their knits before the cold weather sets in. So whenever they needed to decrease two stitches, they would simply knit three stitches together.

It is a great way to shape knitted fabric, but it has a distinct slant that does not look nice in some cases. Our projects will look much neater when each double decrease is centred around one vertical stitch especially when these decreases are stacked on top of each other.

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting

Here’s how we can make these beautiful decreases step by step.

If you prefer to learn from a video tutorial, click here or scroll to the bottom of this page to watch an embedded version of the video.

STEP 1

With the yarn at the back of the work, insert the tip of the right needle from left to right under the back leg of the first stitch on the left needle.

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting

Take the left needle out leaving this stitch on the right needle.

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting

Use the same method to slip one more stitch from the left needle to the right needle.

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting

STEP 2

Insert the tip of the left needle from left to right into the two stitches that we slipped in the previous step.

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting

Remove the right needle out of these stitches leaving them on the left needle.

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting

STEP 3

In this step, we’ll slip these two stitches one more time, but we’ll slip them together and we’ll do it knitwise.

Insert the tip of the right needle from left to right into the first two stitches on the left needle, as if you plan to knit them together.

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting

Take the left needle out leaving these stitches on the right needle.

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting

STEP 4

Knit one stitch through the back loop as we normally do when we knit stitches using the Eastern knitting style.

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting

STEP 5

After slipping stitches back a forth to make sure they are oriented correctly, now we will eventually turn three stitches into one so that one stitch is centred with the decreased stitches positioned at its sides.

Insert the tip of the left needle from left to right into the second and third stitches on the right needle (these would be the stitches that travelled between the needles in steps 1, 2 and 3).

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting

Pass these stitches over the knitted stitch and off the right needle.

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting

In the next row, purl this stitch the Eastern way if you work back and forth, and knit it if you work in the round.

If the pattern you follow instructs you to knit this stitch in the next row or purl it in the next round (to work in the garter stitch), do what our grandmothers did and simply knit three stitches together.

The perfectly centred double decrease will be lost in the texture of the garter stitch, so choose the easiest way to decrease two stitches. After all, that’s what Eastern knitting is all about – simplicity and efficiency.

To learn more about the Eastern knitting style, consider taking a detailed online course Eastern (Russian) Knitting Simplified.

Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting | 10 rows a day
Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting | 10 rows a day
Centred Double Decrease in Russian Knitting | 10 rows a day

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

“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