How to P2tog Purl Two Together To Decrease
Learn how to P2tog which is the abbreviation for purl two together. Sometimes a knitting pattern calls for you to decrease on the purl row.
Just like a K2tog it this is a single decrease which reduces your stitch count by one stitch. To make P2tog you purl two stitches into a single stitch usually on the purl side.
There are many different ways to decrease in knitting patterns. Sometimes you need to decrease the purl stitches. Other times there is shaping involved. So different decreases have unique results.
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Which Way Does a P2tog Lean?
The p2tog is a right-leaning decrease. This means the finished stitch leans towards the right.
It’s harder to see in a p2tog than the k2tog. They look similar on the knit side. I use a p2tog for decreasing the top of the Trento hat.
For a left leaning decrease you can also p2tog through the back loop, or p2tog tbl.
You might enjoy the simple Elena Sweater for your next knitting project!
Materials
- Any weight yarn and matching needles.
- This decrease can be made when knitting flat with straight needles or in the round with circulars. It’s knit the same way regardless.
- I’m using my 4.5 mm US Size 7 knitting needles on 16″ circular cable.
Learn how to purl here.
Video Tutorial
Watch the video tutorial for the p2tog.
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How to P2tog
Learn how to decrease one stitch with the p2tog or purl two together.
Materials
- Any yarn, I'm using a #4 medium worsted weight cotton yarn
Tools
- US Size 7 / 4.5 mm knitting needles
Instructions
In this tutorial I will purl the first stitch and the next stitch together.
Start with the working yarn in the front and the tip of the right needle pointed at the tip of the left needle, or purl-wise, as if to purl.
Insert your right needle tip purl wise, behind the front leg of both stitches you wish to decrease.
Wrap the yarn and purl both stitches.
Slide them from the left-hand needle to the right-hand needle. 
You have p2tog, which decreases the total number of stitches by 1.
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