Tag Archives: double vertical decrease technique

Tutorial Series: Double Vertical Decrease (S2kp)

Posted in Double Vertical Decrease (S2kp), Tutorial Series by

In the double vertical decrease (S2kp), two stitches are decreased by slipping 2 stitches knitwise. Then, the next stitch is knit. Finally, the 2 slipped stitches are passed over the knitted stitch. This double vertical decrease is used for shaping in knitting. I used this technique in the Hydrangea Dishcloth and in the With a Twist Dishcloth. I like this method for the mitered square shaped dishcloths. The double decrease creates a straight vertical knit stitch when used in the center of the work. The video and written instructions below show how to do a double vertical decrease (s2kp) for right-hand knitting.


The Double Vertical Decrease (S2kp):



Steps to make a Double Vertical Decrease (S2kp):

1. Insert the right knitting needle into the front of second and then the first stitch as if to knit 2 together
2. Slip the 2 stitches off the left knitting needle and onto the right knitting needle

3. The 2 slipped stitches are now on the right knitting needle
4. Knit the next stitch from the left knitting needle onto the right knitting needle
5. Insert the the left knitting needle into the front loop on the 2 slipped stitches
6. Catch and hold the 2 slipped stitches onto the left knitting needle
7. Pass the 2 held slipped stitches on the left knitting needle over the knitted stitch on the right knitting needle
8. The double vertical decrease (slip 2 stitches, knit 2, pass the slipped stitch over the knitted stitch) is now on the right knitting needle
9. Tug the working yarn to tighten the double vertical decrease stitch


Repeat Steps 1 through 9 for the double vertical decrease (s2kp)

~coffeeteaknits.com

© Coffee Tea Knits. All text and images for personal use only. All Rights Reserved.

The Hydrangea Dishcloth Pattern

Posted in July 2025, The Hydrangea Dishcloth Pattern by


Five years ago I posted my first pattern “A Seed Stitch Mitered Dishcloth“. It was a time of social distancing and staying at home due to the coronavirus pandemic. Since we couldn’t go out much the yard and the flowers became our outdoor retreat. At that time the Hydrangeas were in full bloom (June-July) and I took a picture of these flowers with the “Seed Stitch Mitered Dishcloth”

A Seed Stitch Mitered Dishcloth

It’s five years later, and the hydrangeas are in bloom again.


Hence, the name of the dishcloth pattern for the month is the Hydrangea Dishcloth pattern. The Hydrangea Dishcloth is a mitered square dishcloth with a double vertical decrease and a 1×1 mistake rib stitch pattern. Two stitches are decreased using the double vertical decrease technique. I prefer this technique to the K2tog and SSK techniques I used in the Seed Stitch Mitered Dishcloth. The SSK does not form a straight line like the K2tog or the double vertical decrease.


The Hydrangea Dishcloth is then finished with a round of the wrapped single crochet stitch. Crochet chain stitches are added end of the round for the hanging loop.

Materials Needed to knit the Hydrangea Dishcloth:

Yarn 1: Peaches & Crème in Panorama colorway
Yarn 2: Lily Sugar’n Cream in Country Red colorway
Gauge: 4.5 stitches per inch in 1×1 mistake rib stitch pattern
Knitting Needles: US #7 (4.5 mm) and US #8 (5.0 mm) 
Crochet hook: G-6 (4.0 mm)
Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Knitting Skill Level: Advanced Beginner to Intermediate level – knit, purl, slip stitches, and familiarity with reading knitting patterns
Crochet Skill Level: Basic level with chain one and slip stitch 

Advertisements

Abbreviations:

  • K: Knit
  • P: Purl
  • sm: slip marker
  • pm: place marker
  • wyif S1: with yarn in front slip one stitch purlwise
  • RS: right side
  • s2kp: slip two stitches on the left knitting needle as if to knit 2 stitches together onto the right knitting needle, knit the next stitch on the left knitting needle, and then pass the two slipped stitches on the right knitting needle with the left knitting needle over the knitted stitch (see photo tutorial below*)
  • s2kp with a stitch marker: slip 2 stitches as if to knit 2 stitches together onto the right needle, remove stitch marker, K1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knitted one, place the removed stitch marker back on the right knitting needle
  • WS: wrong side
  • Sc or sc: single crochet (Tutorial Series: How to Single Crochet)
  • […]: stitch pattern repeats

Knitting Skill Level: Advanced beginner – knit, purl, and slip 2 together
Crochet Skill Level: Basic level with chain one and slip stitch

Advertisements

The Hydrangea Dishcloth Pattern (text and images for personal use only)

PLEASE SUBSCRIBE FOR THE FREE PATTERN

Subscribe to continue reading

Subscribe to get access to the rest of this post and other subscriber-only content.