Kitchener Stitch Grafting
Doesn’t it drive you crazy when the directions tell you to weave or graft two sets of live stitches together. Weaving or grafting is also known as Kitchener Stitch.
For many years, I knew how to implement the Kitchener Stitch, but could never remember the sequence without looking it up. Then I realized that all I needed to do is to think of the tapestry needle as a knitting needle, and the working of each stitch as a knit or a purl. Try the method below and see if it helps you remember for the next time.
If you do not have something handy to graft, knit two small swatches with 10 stitches each. Place one set of 10 stitches on a double pointed needle and the other set on another double pointed needle.
I haven’t provided any pictures, because, I really want you to attempt to memorize the ‘mantra’ that I use below. Think about each step to imprint the movement.
Thread a tapestry needle with yarn.
With wrong sides of the fabric together, hold the two double pointed needles together in your left hand. One needle is to the back and one is to the front.
Step 1:
Insert tapestry needle, as if to purl, in the first stitch of the front needle, draw yarn through. Be sure to keep the yarn under the points of the two needles.
Insert tapestry needle, as if to knit, in the first stitch of the back needle, draw yarn through. Be sure to keep the yarn under the points of the two needles.
Both stitches are still on their respective needles.
Step 2:
Insert tapestry needle, as if to knit, in the first stitch of the front needle, and at the same time remove stitch onto tapestry needle.
Insert tapestry needle, as if to purl, in the second stitch of the front needle, and pull through, leaving the stitch on front needle. Draw the yarn through the stitch on the tapestry needle. Again, be sure to keep the yarn under the points of the two needles.
Step 3:
Insert tapestry needle, as if to purl, in the first stitch of the back needle, and at the same time remove stitch onto tapestry needle.
Insert tapestry needle, as if to knit, in the second stitch of the back needle, and pull through leaving stitch on back needle. Draw the yarn through the stitch on the tapestry needle. Again, be sure to keep the yarn under the points of the two needles.
Repeat Step 2 and 3 to the end.
Once I learned how to do the stitch, it was easy enough to remember that I was working with a front needle and a back needle, always working with pairs of stitches except on the first step, and that I was removing stitches and pulling the yarn through…what I never could remember was how to insert the needle.
It is so simple that I can’t believe I never saw it while I was doing it.
P1,K1,*K1,P1,P1,K1 repeat from * to end.
Filed under: Techniques by cwulster
Hi Carole,
I just finished a Christmas stocking using the Kitchener Stitch Grafting directions from your website. There were 26 stitches to graft together, and I had never been able to successfully do that stitch. With your great directions I was able to do a very neat job and am quite proud of it! Thank you for your help and for your ‘mantra’. It made it so much easier! Ann
A huge thanks to you for making this stitch easy! I’ve tried many directions and trips to the knit shop with no success. Now, I’ll continue knitting socks because of your wonderful directions.
Vikki
Wow… I love your instructions. Makes it much simpler. How would I modify that for K3P3 ribbing? I’m working on a connected scarf and the patterns calls for traditional CO & BO and then seaming the ends together. I would LOVE to try grafting the ends invisibly.
Thanks a bunch!
Julie
PS, I haven’t started the scarf yet, so I’m assuming I’ll crochet a chain, pick up stitches, etc. to keep the first row of stitches ‘live’.
OMG! I have been looking in books and on websites all morning and could not find a direction that would get me through the Kitchener stitch on my sock toes until this one! I am left handed so that complicates things. Your directions were so easy to follow. I must have tried 10 or more other ones to no avail but the first time through on these directions, wallah! I think the note about keeping the yarn under the needle tips is crucial. I didn’t know what to do with that before. Thank you!
This is great, but I still can’t find a site to show me how to do kitchener stitch in K2 P2 rib ! Can you help ? Thanks
thank you!! these are very clear directions. FYI there is a video using this idea/mantra, but no text, elsewhere on the web at knittinghelp.com. I was worried I wouldn’t remember once I was out and about with project. I just printed this out to bring along.
One question - how do I “weave” seam of a hat up the back - selvage stitches are messy and I’m not sure how to tackle that.
Thank you for the simple explanations. I’ve been trying to figure this out using pictures or youtube - but your explanation was so easy to follow and understand! After repeating step 2 and 3 once, it suddenly clicked in my head and I saw the “pattern’ in the stitch. This shows that sometimes pictures are too much LOL Thanks for the explanation!
Your directions are very clear. Thanks. I have one more question though, once you have done these stitches and you now have the two pieces grafted together, how do you get it to look flat? I am sewing a sweater back together, it’s a long story, and when I look at the place where the two come together, there is a very distinct V and the right side of the V always seems to be prominent. How do you even it out. I’ve tried lots of different things and I’m not having a lot of luck. Any suggestions?
Genius!!!
Every time I make something that needs a graft, I discover I have forgotten the sequence yet again and have to park in front of the computer, knitting in hand. I just hit this site at random - what luck to find this amazingly sensible solution to a recurring problem. Dont’ know why I didn’t see this “pattern” before.
Thank you!
Thanks! working two stiches at once and then pulling the yarn through made it much neater and faster. Putting the loop on the tapestry needle is a good modification.
Now I wish I could get the beginning to not look like a big lump.
I’ve looked at many instructional videos for this stitch and I just can’t seem to get started. I need this stitch to complete the hood of a sweater. The pattern says
to end by completing a pearl row. The videos and pictures show stitches on two needles (I get this part) with the threaded needle coming from the back stitches.
When I set up on two needles with the knit side out, my yarn is on the front needle.
Can you help me? Also I think I’m supposed to knit from the front of the hood to the crown. Make sense?
Thanks.
Oh THANK you!!!! I just could never get it into my head. I knew it was knitting with a tapestry needle, but just couldn’t make it out.
THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!
Hi, why this way of remembering kitchener stitch had never come to me before I really don’t know. I do know I won’t forget it now, this is great. Thanks
I am still looking for the instructions for kitchener in k2 p2 rib….. can anyone help ? Please !!!
There’s a tutorial on grafting (Kitchener stitch) rib at:
http://cmeknit.blogspot.com/2006/01/lesson-in-grafting.html
Thanks for the explanation. I lost my cheat sheet so went looking for directions again. Thanks to your instructions, I’m hoping I won’t need the cheat sheet anymore.