DIY Network

Kitchener Stitch Kitchener Stitch From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-212

The kitchener stitch is a nearly invisible way to graft together your knitting. It's often used for places where you want to minimize a seam, such as the underarm of a sweater or the toe of a sock. Although it's possible to work this stitch on pattern stitches (such as rib stitch), the instructions below are specifically for stockinette. If you have never tried the kitchener stitch before, you should practice first on two small swatches of light-colored cotton yarn (this will be easier than attempting it on the mohair, which is a bit stickier and more difficult to rip out). Once you feel reasonably confident that you know what you're doing, it should be a snap.

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Materials
Blunt tapestry needle
Working length of yarn

You need to start with an equal number of stitches on each of the pieces that you want to graft together. Place the stitches of each piece on a double-pointed needle; the stockinette sides should be facing outward (wrong sides together). Hold both needles in your left hand with the tapestry needle and working length of yarn in your right hand. Start working these stitches from the right side, moving left until all have been removed:

Note: This following step is done only one time to "set up" your stitches.

	Figure A
	Figure B

With the tapestry needle, pull the yarn through the front of the first stitch on the front needle (as if to purl) and leave the stitch on the needle. Now pull the yarn through the back of the first stitch on the back needle (as if to knit) and leave it on the needle (figure A).

Now you will start the rhythm of the kitchener stitch, repeating these steps until all stitches have been removed:

1. Starting on the front double-pointed needle (the one closest to you), use your tapestry needle to draw the yarn through the first stitch on the front needle as if to knit, slip this stitch off the needle (figure B).

2. On that same double-pointed needle, draw the yarn through the next stitch, as if to purl, and leave this stitch on the needle.

3. Now, moving to the double-pointed needle on the back (the one farthest from you) draw the yarn through first stitch as if to purl, and slip this stitch off the needle.

4. On that same double-pointed needle, draw the yarn through the second stitch as if to knit, but leave it on the needle.

5. Repeat until one stitch remains, then pull the yarn through and voilà! It's finished!

RESOURCES :
Soft Kid mohair yarn
Muench Yarns
Website: muenchyarns.com

Rowan All Season cotton yarn
Rowan Yarns
Website: knitrowan.com

Sunbeam Paris mohair yarn
Berroco Inc.
Check Website for local retailers.
Website: www.berroco.com

Sweater A instructions
Website: www.knitty.com

Sweater B & C instructions
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Stitch 'n Bitch Nation
Author: Debbie Stoller
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (2002)
ISBN: 0761135901

GUESTS :
Jenna Adorno
knitwear designer/knitting expert
We apologize no contact information is available.