Golden Apple Threads

The Lazlo Slouch and Lazlo Beanie both use a unique double decrease. This decreases requires a little bit of faith and courage because you must leave your center stitch hanging in midair, unbound from a needle, for a few seconds. I promise, you’ll survive.

I know this can cause anxiety for some knitters, and I’m of the opinion that the fun should always outweigh the stress, so if you just cannot with the loose stitch hanging out – don’t fret! You have two other options. The first is to use a cable needle to hold the stitch to the front while you complete the k2tog of the 1st and 3rd stitch. The second option to avoid having to leave your stitch hanging out is to use a different double decrease, such as sl2, k1, p2sso (slip two stitches knitwise, knit 1, pass the two slipped stitches over the stitch just worked). sl2, k1, p2sso is a fine double decrease, but I find it slants to the left and isn’t as asymmetrical as my dec2.

 Instructions for the Lazlo Double Decrease

• Slip the 1st stitch purlwise onto the right needle
• Leaving the 2nd stitch on the left needle, pickup the 3rd stitch purlwise through the back loop (this happens behind the 2nd stitch)
• Now slip both 2nd and 3rd stitches off the left needle – the 3rd stitch slips purlwise onto the right needle and the 2nd stitch will just hang loose (don’t panic)
• Slip the 2nd lonely stitch back to the left needle
• Slip the 1st & 3rd sts back to left needle (they will now be in front of the 2nd st) and k2tog
• Slip the stitch just worked (the k2tog) back to the left needle knitwise
• Slip the 2nd stitch (the stitch that was held forward) over the st just worked (the k2tog)
• Slip this st back to right needle

This decrease is very easy once you work it a few times. I have included a video below so you can see the decrease in action. This decrease is very easy once you work it a few times. You can also watch the video here on Vimeo.