Kitchener Stitch tutorial

Grafting ends together to create a seamless fabric is one of my favourite knitting techniques. I use the Kitchener stitch to graft sock toes together all the time, and a few of my patterns use it for seamless seams, such as joining the applied i-cord in Nórui and underarm seams in Maethor. I thought a tutorial on how to do Kitchener stitch might be useful.

Kitchener stitch is used to graft two pieces of stocking stitch together and it creates a seamless join that is invisible from the rest of the stitches. That's why it is so great for sock toes - no seams to rub and cause blisters!

You will need a tapestry needle for this technique.

Set up

To set up for Kitchener stitch there are a couple of preparatory steps that stop the end stitches from being loose.

Step 1:

Arrange the stitches so that there are equal numbers of stitches on both needles and the wrong sides of the fabric are together. This gives you a front needle with stitches and a back needle with stitches. 

Cut the yarn leaving a long tail (at least 3 times the distance to graft plus a 15cm/6in sewing in end) and thread a tapestry needle.

Step 2:

Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch of the front needle as if to purl. Pull the yarn all the way through (not too tight) and leave that stitch on the needle.

Step 3:

Next, insert the sewing needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to knit it. Pull the yarn all the way through and leave that stitch on the needle.

The above 3 steps are preparatory and only need to be done once.

Kitchener Stitch

Now we are ready to graft the stitches together. This is the fun part! Do not pull the yarn through too tight on the next steps. It is easier to adjust the tension of the stitches when you have grafted a few together.

Step 1:

Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to knit. Pull the yarn all the way through and then slip this stitch off the front needle.

Step 2:

Insert the tapestry needle into the next stitch on the front needle as if to purl. Pull the yarn all the way but this time leave the stitch on the front needle.

Step 3:

Now insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to purl. Pull the yarn all the way through and slip this stitch off the back needle.

Step 4:

Insert the tapestry needle into the next stitch on the back needle as if to knit. Pull the yarn all the way through but leave this stitch on the back needle.

Graft the next stitches together by repeating steps 1 to 4. After a few stitches have been grafted it is worth using the tapestry needle to tighten up the stitches so they are at the same tension as the stitches in the fabric being grafted.

Once you have grafted a few stitches it becomes quite rhythmic. I often remember the steps by counting: front knit off, front purl on, back purl off, back knit on - as in front needle knit the stitch and slip it off the needle, front needle purl the stitch but leave it on the needle etc.

Continue to graft the stitches together by repeating steps 1 to 4 until after step 4 only 1 stitch remains on both the front and back needle, then move to the finishing step.

Finishing steps

The finishing steps are similar to the preparatory steps in that they tighten up the edge stitches.

Step 1:

Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to knit. Pull the yarn all the way through and then slip this stitch off the front needle.

Step 2:

Now insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to purl. Pull the yarn all the way through and slip this stitch off the back needle.

Finally, use the tapestry needle to adjust the tension of all the stitches to match the tension of the  stocking stitch fabric, then weave in the yarn end.

There you have it, a grafted stocking stitch fabric with no visible seam. I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. If there are any other techniques you would like help with please leave a comment.


May Cowl

On the first of May this year my May Cowl pattern was released in store by BaaRamEwe, the fantastic yarn shop located in Leeds. I was commissioned to design this cowl last year and it is great to see the pattern on sale. 

May Cowl in BaaRamEwe Titus Goddess - Shades of Chevin

May Cowl in BaaRamEwe Titus Goddess - Shades of Chevin

Originally designed to show case 'Shades of Chevin' - a result of mixing their gorgeous titus yarn with the colour guru that is the Knitting Goddess, each month a new pattern and a new Titus Goddess colourway was released and mine was May.

May cowl is a very versatile accessory, designed to be worn round the neck as a cowl, over the shoulders like a capelet or as a scarf or wrap.

May Cowl in BaaRamEwe Titus - Chevin

May Cowl in BaaRamEwe Titus - Chevin

The stitch pattern was inspired by a 1967 doily pattern I found in a Learn to Crochet booklet that belonged to my Nan. I liked the open work combined with solid stripes of the same pattern.

This is a very easy crochet pattern with only a few stitches to learn.

May Cowl has been reissued in the Chevin shade of Titus (which is lovely to crochet with) by BaaRamEwe and it is now available on Ravelry and also in their new booklet, Titus Mini Knits.

It is now available on Ravelry to download for £3.00 and for the next week only with 25% off the usual price with the code VERSATILE

To show just how versatile this cowl is, I had a photoshoot with my sister who is a good sport and kindly modelled the cowl in many of the ways it can be worn.... watch out for the Shades of Grey shot!

Yorkshire Day Sale

 

It's Yorkshire Day today and to celebrate my beautiful adopted county I'm having a pattern sale - 25% off all my pattern until midnight 2nd August! No coupon needed, discount will be applied at checkout. 


Alexandria Gauntlets

Alexandria Gauntlets

Vintage Knits for Babies

I love knitting baby clothes for my friends little ones and when I was offered the opportunity to review Vintage Knitting for Babies by my friend Rita Taylor, I jumped at the chance.

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This book does not disappoint. It has over 30 gorgeous patterns for newborns to 18 months old and is inspired by Rita's expertise and love of vintage patterns from the Victorian era to the 1950's. There are traditional christening outfits with all over lace and long flowing skirts as well as more modern interpretations with two piece outfits and little lacy jackets. I love this cute little Christening vest top for boys.

Wood Sorrel Christening Vest & Shorts by Rita Taylor

Wood Sorrel Christening Vest & Shorts by Rita Taylor

There are some really gorgeous patterns in this book. It was really hard to choose just a few to share with you. I'm hoping to knit this little outfit (Betony Coat and Beret) for my goddaughter. Like a lot of the patterns in the book, Rita gives an insight into the history to the design and I love the use of the simple but effective stitch pattern. 

Betony Coat and Beret by Rita Taylor

Betony Coat and Beret by Rita Taylor

My favourite pattern is probably (it is tough to choose) this Poppy Duffle Coat and Mittens. It looks warm and woolly and like all the patterns, practical for a baby too. It looks wonderful knitted up in modern soft yarns (this one is Brown Sheep Nature Spun Sport Weight).

Poppy Duffle Coat and Mittens by Rita Taylor

Poppy Duffle Coat and Mittens by Rita Taylor

Each pattern has clear instructions to follow with the rows and new sections all given in bold print making this an easy book of patterns to follow. This is a book where every pattern demands to be knitted and cherished or given as a special gift, from the soft toys to special outfits for a first trip out.

Primrose Rabbit by Rita Taylor

Primrose Rabbit by Rita Taylor

The whole book is beautifully illustrated, from the beautiful picture on the front cover above to the gorgeous photography inside. Each pattern has several photos modelled on cute kids to see the finished garment clearly. The hardback format makes this a book that demands to be kept for all future baby knitting needs and a permanent fixture on my bookshelf. I can see me picking up this book again and again for each new baby that comes into my life.

Sweet Violet Lacy Matinée Set by Rita Taylor

Sweet Violet Lacy Matinée Set by Rita Taylor

This one is definitely a keeper!

Vintage Knits for Babies by Rita Taylor, published by Jacqui Small.

Price £20 / US$29.99 and available from the 21st May 2015, ISBN 978-1-909342