How to Knit Mitered Squares with Easy Decrease Seam

To create this mitered square with an easy decrease seam, cast on an even number of stitches using the SSK and K2Tog techniques. Many knitters find this square easy to memorize because there’s no need for counting—just place a simple stitch marker in the middle. This makes it a popular choice for beginners who love knitting these modular squares.

Get started on your easy decrease mitered squares with step-by-step photo instructions, a cast-on cheat sheet, a close-up video tutorial, and a free printable pattern.

Easy Decrease Mitered Square Construction

To knit mitered squares, you decrease stitches to form a square with lines that meet in the center. These center decreases pull the sides inward, creating the mitered effect.

For this construction, you start with an even number of stitches and knit from the edges toward the center. The two decrease techniques of SSK and K2Tog in the middle create a neat, symmetrical shape.

Knitting Instructions

Casting On

Start by casting on an even number of stitches. This number will determine the total length of two edges of your square. The number of stitches you need depends on your yarn and needle size, as well as the desired size of the square. I have created a helpful guide to show you how many stitches to cast on:

Yarn DK #3 • Needle 6 US (4.0 mm)

Square Size (inches)	3	4	5	6	7	8
Cast On Stitches	26	36	44	54	62	72
Yarn per Square (yards)	19	25	31	37	43	49

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Yarn Worsted #4 • Needle 8 US (4.5 mm)

Square Size (inches)	3	4	5	6	7	8
Cast On Stitches	24	32	40	48	56	64
Yarn per Square (yards)	19	25	32	38	44	51

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Yarn Bulky #5 • Needle 10 US (6.0 mm)

Square Size (inches)	3	4	5	6	7	8
Cast On Stitches	18	24	30	36	42	48
Yarn per Square (yards)	10	14	17	21	24	28

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Yarn Super Bulky #6 • Needle 13 US (9.0 mm)

Square Size (inches)	3	4	5	6	7	8
Cast On Stitches	12	16	20	24	28	32
Yarn per Square (yards)	7	9	12	14	17	19

Add a Stitch Marker

For this construction, it is easiest to track your work by adding a stitch marker in the middle of your stitches. For example, if you cast on 24 stitches total, you will place a stitch marker between the 12th and 13th stitches.

Slip Stitch Edge

To help sew your squares together, create uniform edges on all 4 sides of your square. To do so, we will slip the first stitch of every row.

Sl1P WYIF: Slip One Stitch Purlwise with Yarn in Front.

Right Side of Work (odd numbered rows)

While on the right side of your work, after slipping your first stitch, bring the yarn between the first and second stitches to the back of your work. Then knit all stitches until you get to the two stitches before your stitch marker.

Easy Decrease

1. SSK: Slip, Slip, Knit 2 Stitches Together;
2. Slip Stitch Marker
3. K2TOG: Knit the next two stitches together;

Then continue knitting all the way down the row.

Wrong Side of Work (even numbered rows)

On the wrong side of your work, Sl1P WYIF and knit all stitches to the end of the row.

Finishing

Your knitted rows become increasingly smaller (and faster to knit) as each right-sided row is decreased by two stitches. Continue the above pattern until you have just two stitches remaining on your needle.

1. Cut the yarn and thread it through a tapestry needle;
2. Slip the knitting needle out of the remaining 2 stitches;
3. Thread the yarn tail through the open stitches and pull tight to cinch them closed;
4. Finally, weave in the yarn tail to secure it.

Mitered Square Knitting Collection