Combined Decrease and Yarn Over in Lace
In lace, decreases are almost always paired with yarn-overs in the same row. The decrease "uses up" the stitch the yarn-over "adds," keeping the stitch count constant while creating the open eyelet that defines lace fabric.
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The basic pairing
YO and k2tog (or YO and ssk) in the same row produce one eyelet with no change in stitch count. The eyelet sits where the YO is; the decrease sits next to it, leaning toward or away from the eyelet depending on the decrease type.
Direction of lean
Choose k2tog (right lean) if the lace pattern needs the decrease to lean into the eyelet on the right. Choose ssk (left lean) for the opposite. The correct choice is dictated by the chart.
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Multiple eyelets per row
Most lace rows have multiple YO + decrease pairs. Each pair is independent: YO, k2tog, YO, ssk, etc. Match each YO to its paired decrease and the row maintains its stitch count.
Common mistake
Forgetting one decrease (or one YO) leaves the row with the wrong stitch count. The mistake usually shows up two rows later when the next row's pattern doesn't line up.
Abbreviation reference
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| yo | yarn over |
| k2tog | knit two together |
| ssk | slip slip knit |
Tips
- Always pair each YO with a decrease in the same row.
- Match the decrease lean to the chart — k2tog leans right, ssk leans left.
- Use a row counter to verify stitch count after each lace row.
In depth
The YO + decrease pairing is the foundational unit of lace knitting. Once a knitter understands that each YO must be matched by a decrease in the same row, lace charts become much easier to read and lace mistakes become much easier to identify and fix.