The Left handed central double decrease, abbreviated cdd, is a decrease of two stitches. It is most often used at the points of leaves. It is a wonderful stitch to know as it makes the points of the leaves look professional. The reason it looks so beautiful is that the left and right stitch hide behind the middle stitch showing a continuity of the middle stitch from the rows below. I found this stitch tricky because all the tutorials I found were for right handed knitter, not left handed knitters. Have no fear, I spent way too much time figuring this out for myself and I gladly share it here with you today.
I warn you this is a multistep stitch, but well worth the time and effort.
If you know knitting terms here are the steps. If you are unsure about the steps, please follow along below with a picture tutorial and short video at the end.
Slip first stitch as if to purl, slip second stitch as if to purl, put both stitches back on the right hand needle and slip together through the back loops. Knit the third stitch. Pass the first and second stitch together over the knit stitch.
Step 1 of The Left Handed Central Double Decrease
Slip the first stitch as if to purl
Step 2 of the Left Handed Central Double Decrease
Slip the second stitch as if to purl
Step 3 of the Left Handed Central Double Decrease
Transfer the two slipped stitches together back onto the right hand needle.
Step 4 of the Left Handed Central Double Decrease
Together, slip both stitch back to the left hand needle through the back loops.
Steps 1-4 are done to change the orientation of the first two stitches so that the middle stitch will eventually lie on top of the other two.
Step 5 of the Left Handed Central Double Decrease
Knit the third stitch.
Step 6 of the Left Handed Central Double Decrease
Take the first two slipped stitches and pass them over the knit stitch.
The above photo shows the completed left handed central decrease stitch. You can see that the center stitch lays flat with the left and right stitch tucked neatly behind it.
Another view.
Here’s a short video showing the decrease. In the video I knit two stitches before starting the left handed central double decrease.
I hope you found this post helpful. As always, please leave comments below. If you have any suggestions on future posts please leave that in the comments as well.