Central Quadruple Decrease: sl3-k2tog-p3sso

The central quadruple decrease, slip 3 stitches, knit 2 stitches together, pass 3 slipped stitches over, eliminates 4 stitches in a symmetrical way (thus ‘central’ and ‘quadruple’).  It creates a strong vertical decrease line that doesn’t slant to the left or the right, the way that the decreases k2tog, ssk, or sl1-k2tog-psso do. We’ve used this decrease in our scrap-tastic Kaleidoscope blanket.

Jump to the video!

This tutorial includes

1. What is a sl3-k2tog-p3sso?
2. Sl3-k2tog-p3sso video
3. How to work a sl3-k2tog-p3sso decrease
4. How does this central decrease line look?
5. Other knit decreases

What is a sl3-k2tog-p3sso?

This is a quadruple decrease, that means you are decreasing 4 stitches. To decrease from 5 stitches to just 1 stitch (a net loss of 4 stitches) you’ll to work multiple stitches together and pass slipped stitches over. You’ll slip 3 stitches, knit the next 2 stitches together, then pass the slipped stitches over. You’ll have taken 5 stitches and reduced them down to 1.

In the Kaleidoscope blanket, these central quadruple decreases are worked on the right side rows. This decrease is used to balance out the yarn overs, so the stitch count remains the same. Working this decrease may feel awkward at first, but by the time you are done, you’ll have had enough practice to be very comfortable with it.

Sl3-k2tog-p3sso video

How to work a sl3-k2tog-p3sso decrease

If a single decrease, k2tog (knit 2 stitches together), is new to you check out our k2tog – knit 2 together tutorial.

1. Slip the first 3 stitches on the left needle together, as if you were going to work a k3tog (knit 3 together). Insert the right needle through the first 3 stitches on the left needle together, starting with the third, then the second, then the first stitch, then slip them onto the right hand needle without working them.
2. Knit the next 2 stitches on the left needle together (k2tog). Now you have 3 slipped stitches and the 1 stitch from the k2tog on the right hand needle.
3. To pass the 3 slipped stitches over the k2tog and off, insert your left needle tip through the front of the 3 slipped stitches. Lift the 3 slipped stitches up and over the k2tog and drop them off the needle, leaving a single stitch on the right hand needle.

How does this central decrease line look?

When the sl3-k2tog-p3sso decrease stack up it creates a clear decrease line. In the Kaleidoscope blanket all the other stitches are in garter, but the decrease line and edge stitches are worked in stockinette, making the decrease line even more clear.

Other knit decreases

You can find all of our decrease tutorials here. And look out for our new decrease line tutorial coming soon!