A Less Stressful k3tog

Tips for less stress on both you and the thread
by Jackie E-S

Knitters ask –

I was wondering if you can give me a hint on how to work the k3tog? I am having an awful time … have tried to work very loosely on the wrong side and this has been helpful but the thread is not forgiving and won't budge.

To help make the k3tog (knit 3 stitches together), try the following –

• Before starting the k3tog, take the knitting needle point and enter through the 3 stitches as if to purl, and sort of loosening them downward. The thread won't budge much, but it will a little.
• Then proceed with the k3tog.

Another alternative to making the k3tog (this assumes you are knitting from left needle to right) –

• knit 2 stitches together (i.e. k2tog)
• move the stitch just made from right needle to left needle (i.e. becomes first stitch on left needle)
• pull second stitch over first stitch on left needle, move stitch from left needle to right needle

Voila! the same result and looks as working the k3tog as one step. As you can see, this alternative method is more steps. But by manipulating fewer stitches at a time, it can be less stressful, both on the thread and on you.

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