Does dec always mean k2tog?

How-to Questions
1

Hi all,

My pattern says to dec 1 at each end of every row. Later in the pattern it uses k2tog specifically. So, do I need to figure out which of the many decreases to use or anything? or do I just k2tog? I guess I could call my LYS and get some help too because they just sold me the pattern and were super helpful.

I’m making Ginger from the Rowan Summer Tweed Collection booklet.

Thanks!

2

If that is the only specific instructions for decreasing then I would think it was meant to be every time.

3

Does the pattern give any instructions in a separate place from the actual pattern? Sometimes there are instructions right after the gauge/yarn, info, etc.

If not than k2tog is probably fine. What are you making? Do you have the name of the pattern?

4

I’m making a tank top called Ginger from the Rowan Summer Tweed Collection. I looked for separate explanation but didn’t find one.

I’m thinking they might want the dec to lean in to the middle of the garment (I think it’s a right side row) so I could do k2tog on one end and ssk on the other. It seems logical but as a newbie I wish they would spell that out for the reader!

S

5

I think your thinking is correct in that the decreases you use depend a lot on the shaping of the object. If they are to lean in to the middle then go with K2TOG and SSK as you say.

6

Thanks Mason…(new avatar photo,eh? I like the new look)

I should know that I can probably trust my instincts on stuff like this but it is nice to get some encouragement from folks here. So, Thanks! I also realized that the decrease I’m talking about happens once every 6 rows so it’s not going to be terribly visible and so it probably matters even less what I do. But, I made a note on my pattern to remind myself what to do where when I do have to.

Thanks again!
S

7

If you do want them paired, you should do the SSK (a left leaning dec) at the beginning of the row, and the K2TOG (right leaning dec) at the end.