A Knitter’s Blog

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