Knit 2 together (K2tog) and Knit 2 together through the back loop (K2tog tbl) are knitting techniques used for decreasing one stitch. Decreasing stitches are used for garment shaping and in lace knitting patterns. How to K2tog is shown below for right handed knitting.

K2tog (Tutorial Series: K2tog and P2tog):

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K2tog tbl:

Knit 2 together in the back loop (K2tog tbl) is also used for stitch decrease and but differs from K2tog. It is also used for garment shaping and in lace patterns. There is, however, a visual and directional difference between the two techniques. K2tog is a right leaning decrease while K2tog tbl is a left leaning decrease. K2tog tbl adds more texture to the knitted piece and is commonly used in twisted stockinette or twisted rib stitch patterns. Sometimes it may be used as an alternative to the SSK technique (Tutorial Series: Slip Slip Knit SSK) Shown below in stockinette stitch pattern K2tog vs K2tog tbl

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K2tog vs K2tog tbl:

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Knit 2 together in the back loop (K2tog tbl) for right handed knitting:

Written Steps for K2togt tbl:

• Turn the left knitting needle to the back of the work
• Insert right needle into the back loops of the first stitch and then the second stitch on the left knitting needle
• Wrap the working yarn around the inserted right needle
• Pull the right knitting needle and working yarn loop into and through the 2 stitches on the left needle
• Keep the working yarn loop (the new stitch) on the right needle and slide the 2 stitches off the left needle