If you love the neatness of grafting with the Kitchener stitch, but never remember how to get started, changing your perspective and grafting on the purl side makes the process much more intuitive.
Thanks to Skacel for providing the yarn and addi needles used in this tutorial. These products are available locally at many yarn shops and online at Makers' Mercantile.
Before You Begin
Grafting on the purl side creates the same end result. It's just a little easier to remember. Just like the traditional Kitchener Stitch (on the knit side) your stitches are divided evenly onto two needles and you use your yarn tail to join the stitches together.
When your yarn tail is at the front - pull the tail, from front to back (knitwise), through the first stitch on the front needle, then the first stitch on the back needle and drop the stitch off the back.
When your yarn tail is at the back - pull the tail from back to front (purlwise) through the first stitch on the back needle, then the first stitch on the front needle and drop the stitch off the front.
Materials
- Cobasi by HiKoo Yarn
- addi FlexiFlip Needles
- addi Rocket Needles
- yarn needle
Kitchener Stitch on the Purl Side
Recommended Pattern
Ready to try this technique in a pattern? The 1 Sock, 2 Sock, Red Sock, Blue Sock Pattern has videos to help you learn more about:
- Longtail Thumb Cast On
- Which Way to Slip a Stitch (Knitwise or Purlwise)
- Alternating Two Round Stripes
- Afterthought Heels Made Easier and Neater
- Purl Side Kitchener Stitch