Glossary / Slip slip purl
sspSlip slip purl
A left-leaning decrease worked on the purl side, the mirror of p2tog.
How to work it
Slip two stitches one at a time knitwise to the right needle, then slip them back to the left needle in their new, reoriented position. Insert the right needle through the back loops of both stitches from behind, going into the second stitch first, and purl them together. It removes one stitch and leans left on the knit side, mirroring p2tog for symmetrical shaping.
Common confusions
What does ssp mean?
In knitting patterns, ssp means Slip slip purl. A left-leaning decrease worked on the purl side, the mirror of p2tog.
Why does ssp feel so fiddly?
Because you have to reach the right needle behind the work and into two back loops at an awkward angle. It genuinely is the most uncomfortable common decrease. Loosening the two stitches before you start, and using a needle with a sharper tip, takes most of the fight out of it.
Can I use p2tog tbl instead?
Often, and many knitters do. p2tog tbl gives a left-leaning decrease too, but it twists the stitches slightly, so it looks a little tighter than ssp. If a pattern is fussy about matching a ssk on the other edge, ssp is the closer match.
In other languages
| Language | Term | Abbreviation |
|---|---|---|
| English | Slip slip purl | ssp |
| Español | Deslizar, deslizar, tejer del revés | no standard code |
| Deutsch | Abheben, abheben, links stricken | no standard code |
| Français | Glisser, glisser, tricoter à l’envers | no standard code |
| Italiano | Due maglie insieme a rovescio ritorte | no standard code |
| 日本語 | 裏目の右上2目一度 | no standard code |
Related stitches
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