Kitchener Stitch
Kitchener stitch is a technique for invisibly weaving together live stitches.
Knitters tend to shy away from learning this stitch because it seems complicated when all written out, but it’s actually very simple to do; the only real challenge is keeping track of where you are in the steps.
Step 1: Thread a tapestry needle with the same yarn you used to work your project. Hold the needles with the live stitches parallel in your left hand. Insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the front needle as if to PURL. Pull the yarn through, leaving a tail that you will weave in later. Leave the stitch on the front needle.
Step 2: Insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the back needle as if to KNIT, pull the yarn through, leaving the stitch on the back needle.
Step 3: Insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the front needle as if to KNIT, pull the yarn through, removing the stitch from the front needle.
Step 4: Insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the front needle as if to PURL, pull the yarn through, leaving the stitch on the front needle.
Step 5: Insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the back needle as if to PURL, pull the yarn through, removing the stitch on the back needle.
Step 6: Insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the back needle as if to KNIT, pull the yarn through, leaving the stitch on the back needle.
Repeat Step 3 – Step 6 until all stitches have been worked. Every few stitches, adjust the tension of your work, making sure not to pull too tightly. Remember, you are making an extra row of knitting rather than sewing together a seam.
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Thank you so much for this tutorial, the last times I tried this stitch and followed a different tutorial I kept giving up half way through out of frustration!
best instructions
Hi do you slip the stitches off one needle to the other to begin. I understand the stitch process but not the starting .
Thank you.
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for reaching out! If your stitches are all currently on one needle, you can move half of them to another needle by slipping them purlwise; or, if you are using a circular needle, you can fold the circular needle in half so the needle tips are parallel to each other.
I hope that helps!
Julianna
these are the best instructions for this stitch I have seen! And I have been knitting a looooong time.
ME TOO!! I will find myself coming back to the instructions whenever I’ve lost them in between projects. Thank you so much, Julianna.
Thank you so much for this tutorial. It’s not the first time I’ve used it. It works better for me written out as steps – the video is a bonus, too!
When using the Kitchener stitch, can this be used when putting together pieces that are finished on all sides, for example , I am making a cable stitch blanket and doing it in columns…. now I need to attach each column. Do I use the edge stitches by putting them on a needle or would that not work as a flawless seam?
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! In this situation, it sounds like using Kitchener Stitch would add some unnecessary steps and not result in a “seamless” seam. Kitchener stitch works best in a situation where you have two sets of live stitches on your needles, but since you are joining the sides of two panels, you will have to first pick up stitches and then kitchener them together. Picking up stitches always creates a ridge on the wrong side of your work, and kitchener stitch creates a purl ridge on the wrong side, so your seam will be visible on the wrong side. Instead, I would recommend using Mattress Stitch or our tutorial for Seaming Garter Stitch to assemble your panels – when worked carefully, both methods should look almost seamless!
Best,
Julianna
Could you show us how to attach finished pieces to ensure a flat seamless end product?
Hi Linda,
Thanks for reaching out! I think you may be interested in our Mattress Stitch, Seaming Garter Stitch, and Seaming Stockinette Horizontally tutorials – these methods for seaming knits are quite tidy and nearly invisible from the right side of the work!
Happy knitting!
Julianna
Thank you for the tutorial. Does this work for 1×1 rib? I have tried, but it doesn’t look like ribbing
Best regards Anette
Hello Anette,
Thanks for reaching out! You are correct it is a different process for a ribbed stitch. Unfortunately we don’t currently have a 1×1 rib kitchener tutorial, but I’m sure there are plenty of examples on YouTube! Good luck on the search!
Best,
Marilla
Thanks so much for this video! I finished the underarms of a children’s sweater using it, and found it to be very easy to follow.
I always enjoy your tutorials and this is no exception. My problem came from my not realizing the difference between grafting stockinette and a 1/1 rib. I had to look up another video on YouTube to find one. The technique worked, so I am happy with the outcome. You all provide clear instructions with no distractions. I always choose to look to Purl SoHo first!
Thank you for your brilliant video on how to do kitchener stitch.
Best wishes,
Eileen
A very clear explanation and demonstration of kitchener stitch. Now I am not afraid to try it. Thank you do much.