The Kitchener stitch, also known as grafting, is a technique used in knitting to seamlessly join two sets of live stitches, creating an invisible join that looks like continuous knitting. It’s commonly used to close the toes of socks, finish the tops of mittens, or join pieces of a garment together.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to mastering the Kitchener stitch:
Materials Needed
- Two needles: with live stitches (typically the same size you used for your project).
- A tapestry needle: or yarn needle.
- Yarn: The same yarn used in your project, with a tail long enough to complete the grafting.
Step-by-Step Guide
- Preparation
- Arrange your work so that the two needles hold an equal number of live stitches. The right sides of the knitting should be facing you, and the working yarn should be attached to the stitches on the back needle.
- Thread the yarn onto your tapestry needle.
- Setup
- Front Needle: Insert the tapestry needle purlwise into the first stitch on the front needle and leave the stitch on the needle.
- Back Needle: Insert the tapestry needle knitwise into the first stitch on the back needle and leave the stitch on the needle.
- Start Grafting
- Step 1 (Front Needle): Insert the tapestry needle knitwise into the first stitch on the front needle and slide this stitch off the needle.
- Step 2 (Front Needle): Insert the tapestry needle purlwise into the next stitch on the front needle and leave this stitch on the needle.
- Step 3 (Back Needle): Insert the tapestry needle purlwise into the first stitch on the back needle and slide this stitch off the needle.
- Step 4 (Back Needle): Insert the tapestry needle knitwise into the next stitch on the back needle and leave this stitch on the needle.
- Repeat Steps 1-4
- Continue to repeat Steps 1 through 4 until you have grafted all the stitches together. The last two stitches should be removed by performing Step 1 on the front needle and Step 3 on the back needle.
- Finish Off
- After the last stitch is worked, pull the yarn through and weave in the end securely on the inside of your project to prevent it from unraveling.
Tips for a Perfect Kitchener Stitch
- Tension: Keep the tension of your grafting yarn consistent with the rest of your knitting. Don’t pull too tightly, or the seam will pucker. If it’s too loose, the seam will be visible.
- Practice: The Kitchener stitch can be tricky at first, but with practice, it becomes easier and more intuitive. Practicing on a swatch before working on your final project can be helpful.
- Right Side Out: Ensure the right side of your knitting is facing out while grafting to achieve a seamless look.
Troubleshooting
- Loose Stitches: If your stitches are too loose, you can gently adjust the tension by pulling on the grafting yarn after each set of stitches.
- Uneven Edges: Make sure that you have the same number of stitches on both needles before starting the Kitchener stitch to ensure an even join.
When to Use the Kitchener Stitch
- Sock Toes: The most common use of the Kitchener stitch is for closing the toe of a sock, where a smooth, seamless finish is crucial for comfort.
- Shoulder Seams: It’s also useful for shoulder seams in garments where you want to avoid a bulky join.
- Joining Knit Panels: The Kitchener stitch can be used to join two panels of knitting together, making the seam invisible.
By mastering the Kitchener stitch, you can give your knitted projects a professional, seamless finish that looks as though the knitting never stopped.