
I was doing a practice swatch of a lace pattern, and there are these hideous double decreases up the middle of each "leaf." (The little white arrow is pointing to the ugliest one).


(Btw, I have heard that only regular knitters (ie people who don't knit "continental") have the problem of the SSK and PSSO loops getting stretchy, something having to do with the amount that each stitch is twisted. So this is for those of us who are not so lucky to be continental knitters.)
To make a better looking double decrease, first let's dissect out what exactly it is. We start with three stitches, that need to become one.

The most obvious double decrease, is k3tog. This makes an LCR pattern, ie the L loop is on top, the C loop is in the middle, and the R loop is on the bottom. While easy, this decrease leans to the right, and will make asymmetric lace. Basically, the L is doing a k2tog (right-leaning decrease) over the C, and the C is doing another k2tog (right-leaning decrease) over the R, and so you end up with a very right-leaning double decrease.
So a good double decrease need to be balanced, ie be made up of one right-leaning decrease, and one left leaning decrease. Right leaning decreases include k2tog, and passing over a loop on the left needle. Left leaning decreases include ssk, and passing over a loop on the right needle (psso). Slipping two stitches simultaneous will swap the order of the stitches, and will make a rightward lean.
The other issue to address is how to get the correct stitch on top. In the brown lace swatch above, the R ends up being on top, and becomes the most prominent of the three stitches. (the picture is upside down) This, combined with it being stretched and ugly, makes the lace unattractive. The topmost stitch is the most visible, so if you want a symmetric lace, ideally the Center stitch will be on top. This leaves CRL and CLR as the two good options for lace.


First, the CRL decreases:
Method 1: sl 2 (C and R) simultaneously. K1 (L). Pass C and R over new stitch.
This is balanced because slipping the two together produces a rightward lean, and the passing over on the right needle is a left-leaning decrease. The C loop is stretched because it was slipped and passed over. No pics as I don't like this decrease for this reason, and there are other pics of this method available online. This is the only CLR or CRL that doesn't use a cable needle, that I know of.
Method 2:






This is balanced because there is an ssk (left-leaning), and a passing over a loop on the left (or cable needle in this case) (right-leaning). Again, the ssk portion stretches out the R loop, so although it is not on top (and not as visible), still the decrease is not quite perfect.
The CLR decreases:
Method 1:


(first picture shows C being slipped)



This one is balanced because there is a K2tog (right-leaning), and a passing a loop on the right needle (left-leaning). The top (C) loop is the one that is passed over, so it is, again, stretched out and prominent, so it is not too great.
The recurrent problem is the asymmetry in the sizes of the loops., which is always caused by an slip or psso. K3tog produces the most uniform loops, but how to make it balanced? After much tinkering, here it is:
Method 2 (THE BEST double decrease EVER!)







More on all the different double decrease combinations next time. And a re-swatch of the lace pattern too!
6 comments:
tHANK YOU SO MUCH FOR THIS TUTORIAL!
I have been trying to do this for weeks, & spent a lot of time in the frog pond.
Crikey! Respect for your patience and dedication.
You are a damned brilliant woman!! I meant to tell you the other day that I have printed out your fine tutorial and have it at the ready. That is of course should I move past my current garter festival and move onto something more taxing.
My, my, my. Your blog is teaching me quite a bit of new stuff. I hope you don't mind if I link to you.
Thanks so much for this very helpful tutorial!
This is INCREDIBLE!!!!!!!!!!!! Exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so, so, so, so, so much!
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