Left twist stitch

[KnittingElf]

This is the pattern I'm working on: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/L0592.html?noImages=

I'm trying to do Square 3. The directions for the left twist say to: Knit the 2nd st on left needle through the back loop and leave on left needle. Then k2tog (the first and 2nd sts on left needle) through back loops.

I know what it is asking me to do, but I'm having trouble. No matter how loose I made my stitches, it still feels too tight when I try to knit the two together through the back loops. I've read two methods of doing the left twist, this way described in the pattern, and the other way where you knit the first stitch as normal after you do the second stitch through the back loop. I can do that method easier. Is there any difference in how it looks?

[HandyFamily]

I think it will look different, really. If you knit the two through the back loops you will have a decrease twisted left. And you knitted the second once more, so you actually have the same number of stitches, but the stitch you see will be twisted