Grafting (aka the Kitchener stitch) is a way to seamlessly join two sets of live stitches together. It’s often used to close up the toes of socks, for shoulder seams, or the tops of mittens, but can be used any time you need to seam two sets of live stitches together. Although it is possible to graft ribbing or purl stitches, it is most commonly used to graft two pieces stockinette stitch together.
How to graft two sets of lives stitches together
Set up:
- Make sure your stitches are on 2 needles and wrong sides are facing each other
- Thread your tail, or new yarn for seaming, on a darning needle
- Put your darning needle through the first stitch on the front needle as if to purl and pull your yarn through leaving the stitch on the needle.
- Put your darning needle through the first stitch on the back needle (being careful not to put it OVER the needle) as if to knit and pull your yarn through leaving the stitch on the needle.
Repeated steps:
- Put your darning needle through the first stitch on the front needle knitwise, thread your yarn through, and slip that stitch off the needle.
- Put your darning through the next stitch on the front needle purlwise, thread your yarn through, and leave the stitch on the needle.
- Put your darning needle through the first stitch on the back needle purlwise, thread your yarn through, and slip that stitch off the needle.
- Put your darning needle through the next stitch on the back needle knitwise, thread your yarn through, and leave the stitch on the needle.
Repeat steps 1-4 until 1 stitch remains on each needle, then work steps 1 and 3 once more. Break your yarn and move the tail to the inside of the work. Weave in your ends and you are done!
Some grafting tips:
This process requires complete concentration, and I like to chant a little ditty to keep me on track: front knit off / front purl on / back purl off / back knit on… repeat
I also like to keep a little hand-written cue card with the steps in my knitting kit, to refer to when I need to graft a sock toe!
Once you have threaded the yarn through all of the stitches, you should use a little blunt needle tip to gently and carefully tighten up the stitches one at a time, before weaving in your ends. This way the tension in your graft will look just like the rest of your stitches.
Some examples of grafting:
The Playdate sweater uses grafting at the shoulders. It gives it a seamless look.
The Grayling mittens are closed at the top using this grafting technique.
The toes of the Rye Light socks are closed with grafting.
How to Knit an I-Cord Edge | Tin Can Knits
January 13, 2022 @ 6:00 am
[…] to break the yarn and use the yarn tail to ‘graft’ the two ends together in a method similar to grafting with a yarn needle. You would go through a stitch on the cast-on end, through the live stitches on […]
Easy knitted baby socks (Age 1-3 months) - thejoyofyarn.com
January 5, 2022 @ 8:28 am
[…] Link for guide if you are not familiar with kitchener stitch: https://blog.tincanknits.com/2013/10/03/kitchener-stitch/ […]
October 28, 2021 @ 5:50 am
This is the clearest explanation I’ve seen. I’m going to print it now.
September 11, 2021 @ 11:39 am
i learned to knit a few years ago with this sock pattern being the first pattern i ever followed, and every time i need to use kitchener stitch, i have to come back to your description. it is the easiest for me to follow. the video tutorials are so wordy or slow or they keep moving things and it gets hard to focus. it really helps me so much to just repeat, “front knit drop, front purl keep, back purl drop, back knit keep”
i appreciate how clearly you’ve made your patterns. i’ll be trying out more soon.
August 10, 2021 @ 8:22 pm
Years ago I learned Kitchener stitch using the knitting method and I haven’t resorted to the darning needle method ever since. Here’s the link to Techknitting’s blog post, it’s brilliant:
https://techknitting.blogspot.com/2007/05/easier-way-to-kitchener-stitch-also.html?m=1
September 24, 2021 @ 9:19 am
Thank you so much Alexa! Im new to knitting socks, and this is my 5th attempt at a Kitchener stitch, trying new instructions every time and yours is the first to work for me!
December 21, 2021 @ 1:26 pm
I checked out this Techknitting method, and to me the Kitchener stitch is much simpler
July 23, 2021 @ 12:07 pm
When dividing the remaining stitches on two needles, for Kitchener stitch, should the tail be on the front needle or the back needle or does it matter as long as the stitches are divided equally? Thanks
July 27, 2021 @ 9:23 am
Hi Sheila – I don’t find it matters
June 24, 2021 @ 9:11 pm
Thank you so much for this.
I’ve tried numerous times to do this technique and this is the 1st time it’s been successful
Having a Ball – The Owl Underground
April 27, 2021 @ 2:23 am
[…] I have been merrily winding yarn, I have been considering. I had decided that instead of Kitchnering my infinity wrap together into one big circle that I would have to wrestle myself into, I would […]
December 14, 2020 @ 1:06 pm
I finished my first pair! I used ToadHollow Toad DK in the Dwarves color. But somehow on tHe second sock the toe is shorter than that of the first? It still fits pretty good, and the stitch count was spot on? Any advice on where I went off?I’ll post photos on the Crafty Toads FB group and can email you them.
December 15, 2020 @ 5:34 am
Hi Megan – it’s hard to know without seeing, or without knowing just what you did. perhaps you missed out a knit round in between decrease rounds? ~ Em
December 3, 2020 @ 9:53 am
Thank you, clear, precise instructions much appreciated
October 15, 2020 @ 10:14 pm
Finally, directions that made sense. Thank you! Finishing up a knit Christmas Stocking for my granddaughter using the same 1945 pattern my granny used to make my stocking.
September 26, 2020 @ 3:13 am
Brilliant thanks, clearest instructions I’ve found! Just used them to complete my first sock.
September 27, 2020 @ 1:55 am
Glad to hear they helped!
June 28, 2020 @ 6:08 pm
This seems so simple, but I can’t get this right. My grafted Kitchener stitch row keeps coming out with the knit v’s on the back, and the purl bumps on the front. Why is my work backwards?
June 28, 2020 @ 6:49 pm
Hi Heather – It sounds like you are starting with the right sides together, rather than the wrong sides?
Branch Out! | Tin Can Knits
April 2, 2020 @ 2:01 am
[…] of Rye socks. We have an in depth tutorial that will take you all the way through, from cast on to Kitchener stitch! Once you’ve done them, you could take your inspiration from the Chinese zodiac (it’s […]
Year of the Monkey: learn to knit socks! | Tin Can Knits
March 31, 2020 @ 11:19 pm
[…] the pattern, to turning a heel, picking up stitches for the gusset, and grafting the toe using Kitchener Stitch. After you’re comfortable (and have some cozy bed socks), you can forge forward to some more […]
October 28, 2019 @ 7:36 am
I knit the 1898 hat but could not figure out how to use the Kitchener stitch with four layers of knitting! Drove me crazy and I finally used a three needle bind off on each end and seamed It was not easy doing this to the provisional cast on. Any ideas for the next hat?
October 29, 2019 @ 3:05 pm
Hi Nadette – Wow, I haven’t used the kitchener to put together 4 layers of knitting before!
November 4, 2019 @ 2:31 pm
I am at that exact point right now on the 1898 hat (which is why I’m looking at blog posts about how to do kitchener)
As I read the instructions, you are supposed to graft together the two ends BEFORE you fold over the headband to double it.
September 30, 2019 @ 3:12 pm
Every time I need to do the kitchener, this is the post I go to! It’s super easy and I just need a quick refresher each time. This saves me a ton of time from watching some lengthy video that I don’t need. Really, this might be my favorite knitting “lesson” out there!
September 15, 2019 @ 1:15 pm
Best tutorial on Kitchener stitch I have found so far. Thank you
Moondust Mittens – Small Adventures
December 3, 2018 @ 12:01 pm
[…] Once I was down to 20 stitches (10 stitches on each needle), I closed with Kitchener stitch. […]
October 21, 2018 @ 1:19 pm
Finished my First Ever Sock! Baby Squirrel.
The heel is not very neat-had a few issues doing it🙄. Grafting toe was fairly simple! It resembles a sock at least. 😁
October 1, 2018 @ 3:37 am
Thank you so much for the clear rendition of kitchener stitch. I love your poem too…
January 31, 2018 @ 12:06 pm
Thank you SO MUCH! I have made about ten pairs of socks now, and this is the first time I’ve been able to finish by grafting. No other tutorial had helped before! Everybody’s toes will be much happier, now. BTW the Rye socks are absolutely addictive.
Wee Heart Ornament -a pattern- – messyjoyhere
December 4, 2017 @ 9:53 am
[…] D Holding both left hand side needles together Kitchener stitch the left hand side top of your heart closed -doing your set up in reverse since yarn is at the […]
Knitting Hack: the provisional cast on – DIY Crafter
November 12, 2017 @ 12:06 pm
[…] Or alternatively you can knit your body and sleeves from hem and cuffs upward, then use the Kitchener stitch to join it all together. Warning: while you CAN do it, working Kitchener stitch on a really large […]
Knitting Hack: the provisional cast on | Tin Can Knits
November 10, 2017 @ 8:19 am
[…] Or alternatively you can knit your body and sleeves from hem and cuffs upward, then use the Kitchener stitch to join it all together. Warning: while you CAN do it, working Kitchener stitch on a really large […]
May 26, 2017 @ 10:32 am
thanks for sharing this detailed tutorial! I will print it and keep it in my project bag! Never enough pictures for me:) Why are socks so difficult for some people (me). I keep trying but am not satisfied with my work. Thanks again!
Re-imagining an old WIP | Tin Can Knits
May 4, 2017 @ 6:22 am
[…] I ripped back the knitting to the right length, and then put both ends back on needles, and used Kitchener stitch to graft the two ends of knitting together make create a tube about 18″ […]
That pesky underarm | Tin Can Knits
March 28, 2017 @ 9:46 am
[…] a blunt darning needle with the long tail from the sleeve and use Kitchener stitch to seam the live stitches together. Note that there are still little holes on either side of the […]
September 15, 2016 @ 9:58 am
The tutorials are so easy to understand. I am half way through knitting the flex sweater. I’m loving it. Thanks for all your helpful tips
August 12, 2016 @ 2:16 pm
Thanks for this! I finished a sock while away from home and, although I could knit a pair of socks blindfolded, I cannot graft the toes without my trusty Debbie Stoller text by my side. Your tutorial was an excellent replacement. 😀
Shannon Sonagle
Backwards Engineering and the Perfect Hat – cozy hearth yarn works
July 29, 2016 @ 12:06 am
[…] last several loops and pulling tight. (If you’re intimidated by kitchener-stitch, check out this super helpful tutorial at Tin Can Knits, with step by step written instructions and a really well-drawn graphic […]
March 17, 2016 @ 4:35 pm
How does one combine in Kitchener stitch in a knit-purl ribbing pattern?
March 22, 2016 @ 9:59 am
It doesn’t come up in any Tin Can Knits patterns (yet?), but there is a tutorial from megan goodacre here: http://www.tricksyknitter.com/kitchener-stitch/
December 12, 2015 @ 7:42 pm
I don’t understand where the yarn goes in the Kitchener stitch. I see how to insert the needle for knit and purl, but the yarn ends up wrapping all over the place!
December 14, 2015 @ 12:06 am
Hi Pamela – the yarn is going through the sts the same way the needle is, following the same path. The important thing is not having the yarn go OVER the needle (that will create an extra stitch).
January 21, 2016 @ 8:09 pm
OK. That should help. I’ll try again!
September 12, 2015 @ 10:37 am
Is there a printable version of this so I can tuck it into my knitting bag for reference
September 12, 2015 @ 6:25 pm
We don’t yet have it in PDF form, but if you hit file -> print it should print out the blog post for ya!
January 28, 2015 @ 8:32 am
Thank you for your very clear Grafting instructions. I have just successfully grafted my first sock toe! ever so slightly bumpy at the corners, but otherwise surprisingly neat. I am soooo pleased.
January 28, 2015 @ 8:52 am
Glad it was helpful!
December 19, 2014 @ 5:22 am
Thank you so much for the pattern! I’ve just finished my first sock. Simply love it!
Lush Cardigan … a work in progress | Rainbow Heirloom
July 9, 2014 @ 11:38 am
[…] join the sleeves to the body, I will work a few rounds from the underarm downward, and then use kitchener stitch to graft the live stitches from shoulder to the […]
November 6, 2013 @ 1:33 pm
Please, can you translate in french because I don’t anderstand all you said; I am too old (73 years)!!!!
November 7, 2013 @ 10:13 pm
If only I knew enough French to do it!
December 20, 2018 @ 2:08 am
Ramamonjisoa, I just did a search using google: “kitchener, francais”.
It found several picture guides and videos.
October 18, 2013 @ 12:09 am
Thank you for the free Rye Socks pattern, I absolutely love it. This is the next pair of socks on my needles. :-)