Grafting knitted stitches together is a helpful technique to master and have in your crafting tool box of knowledge. My preference for cuff down socks means that I am always grafting my final toe stitches together.
Grafting can also be used to secure panels together for garments and blankets, or when you need to alter the length of something if you are doing a bit of a cut and paste job to your knitting.
Knowing that a lot of people struggle to remember how to graft knitting together, I have created some graphics to help you remember the flow of the four steps required.
Note: Grafting is also referred to as Kitchener Stitch. However, Kitchener was a controversial character, so you will increasingly hear and see the term ‘grafting’ used instead.
If you prefer a video tutorial for grafting stitches, I have one here.
Grafting Basics
Grafting really is as easy as working four quick steps in a figure of eight motion and repeated. I have split this tutorial down into these steps and provided a graphic and photos for each step. These are based on grafting a sock toe together with 12 stitches on each needle.
In short, the steps are:
- Step 1: insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the front needle as if to KNIT, pull the yarn through, and slip the stitch OFF the front needle.
- Step 2: insert the tapestry needle through the next stitch on the front needle as if to PURL, pull the yarn through, leaving the stitch ON the front needle.
- Step 3: insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the back needle as if to PURL, pull the yarn through, and slip the stitch OFF the back needle.
- Step 4: insert the tapestry needle through the next stitch on the back needle as if to KNIT, pull the yarn through, leaving the stitch ON the back needle.
Set Up
Thread a tapestry needle with the 15cm/6″ tail just cut. Hold the knitting needles with the live stitches (12 on each needle) parallel in your left hand. The threaded yarn should be at the back on the right-hand side.
Step 1
Step 1: insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the front needle as if to KNIT, pull the yarn through, and slip the stitch OFF the front needle.
Step 2
Step 2: insert the tapestry needle through the next stitch on the front needle as if to PURL, pull the yarn through, leaving the stitch ON the front needle.
Step 3
Step 3: insert the tapestry needle through the first stitch on the back needle as if to PURL, pull the yarn through, and slip the stitch OFF the back needle.ON the front needle.
Step 4
Step 4: insert the tapestry needle through the next stitch on the back needle as if to KNIT, pull the yarn through, leaving the stitch ON the back needle.
Repeat Steps 1-4
The two stitches that remained on the needles are now the lead stitches for Steps 1 and 3.
TIP – to speed up the grafting process, try only pulling the yarn through the stitches after Steps 1 & 2 have been completed, then 3 & 4.
Front Stitches Steps 1 -2: KNIT OFF > PURL ON > pull through yarn.
Back Stitches Steps 3-4: PURL OFF > KNIT ON > pull through yarn.
Repeat Steps 1-4 until two stitches remain.
Remove knitting needles and sew in end on the wrong side of the fabric.
The two sets of live stitches have now been grafted together and are very secure.
Patterns That Use Grafting
- Aloe Socks
- Blathan Socks
- Mini Mania Socks
Join Me On Instagram
I would LOVE to see your grafted projects. Share your journey with me over on Instagram @faydhdesigns and use #FayDHDesigns
