Dec12 is a fairly specialized decrease, used in Belon as part of the Oyster Shell pattern. This very large decrease is actually comprised of techniques you know. Read the description, then my additional thoughts on Dec12.
The symbols to describe Dec 12 in Action charts.
Dec12
With yarn in back, slip 1 stitch to the right needle.
*Use the right needle to pass the third stitch over and off the left needle, going over the first two stitches. Repeat from *, a total of 10 times. – 10 sts
Knit 2 together the first two stitches then pass the sl1 on the right needle over the k2tog. – 2 sts
Dec12 Additional Thoughts
- Remember, always slip as if to purl so the stitch doesn’t get twisted. This will end up being part of an SK2P.
- When passing the third stitch over the first two stitches you are gathering the top of the oyster shell. This passing over and off the left needle removes 10 stitches, and I found I preferred doing it by pairs of stitches—so five times. I did always make sure to count to be sure I reduced the proper number of stitches. This is a technique that could be employed to remove larger stitch numbers in a number of applications.
- After all the slipping, just k2tog the 2 stitches. But, don’t forget that slip stitch, done before the passing over. This slip stitch will need to be passed over the stitch resulting from the k2tog. This is an SK2P, with a bunch of stitches removed between the slip and the k2tog and the final pass slip stitch.
This decreases 12 stitches–the slip in the SK2P (-1), the 10 stitches passed over on the left needle (-10), and the stitch removed by the k2tog (-1). Not as complex as it seems at first blush!
Dec12 creates a special look and blends very nicely with the eyelets and garter of the Oyster Shell pattern.
Can you think of other applications? Every single thing you learn and use can lead you to new places!
