Kitchener Stitch Grafting the Easy Way

Become a sock-toe grafting pro! Grafting doesn't have to be hard if you know the trick of working the pairs in simplified steps. Here, I'll give you my tricks for easily memorizing Kitchener Stitch by breaking down the patterns and giving you mnemonic tricks and tips for finding your place if you get interrupted mid-graft. Then, we'll neaten it up and eliminate the grafting ears, leaving you with a seamless row of knit-like stitches at the ends of your toes.
The cabled sock pattern shown in the video is called Fireglow by Amanda Schwabe, available on Ravelry. Sample knit in Estelle Chunky.

[@mary-elizabethschauer430]

Your video was the best I have seen. After knitting my first pair of socks, I just couldn’t master the Kitchener stitch. Your instructions were easy and made this stitch much less challenging. Thank you.

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Elizabeth.......

[@rachelkrumenauer190]

I'm an experienced knitter and have watched MANY video tutorials on Kitchener Stitch over the years. That's because I could never remember the sequence. I can do Kitchener Stitch, but have to look it up every single time I'm grafting. In under 10 minutes, you gave me a way to cut my work in half, keep track of where I am in the process AND how to read my knitting to cue my next step. I am a public school teacher. Not everyone who knows HOW to do something can clearly TEACH it to others. I can count on one hand the number of times I've commented on a video. You have a gift. I'm very grateful you took the time to post this perfect tutorial.

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Rachel.......

[@mlhans306]

Well said! I agree ❤

[@wildqa]

Thank you for the video. I am an experienced knitter, but today I tried to do Kitchener stitch for the first time. Messed it up twice with another tutorial, then found your video, and not only completed the work - I memorized the method! Thank you so much! You are such a great teacher!

[@karencunningham111]

After watching multiple youtubes on the kitchener stitch to finish my first sock & being so confused I gave up & did the finchley graft. Thought I'd try again with your video & its the most sensible way of doing kitchener stitch ever, made complete sense the first time & i never got lost. Even the tip on knit st. Facing you & purl st facing on back too made extra sense. Thankyou, Thankyou 🙌

[@connierussell9636]

Simple, straightforward explanation of a complicated stitch! Thank you so much for this clear, concise tutorial!

[@janinerussell3052]

Thank you for this explanation! Taking out that pause and doing those stitches at the same time makes this finally work in my brain. I have been knitting for over a decade and could never get Kitchener. It was my Achilles heel (pun intended). So, thank you for making it easy for me to understand!

[@Boleniana]

Three different books just had me going THIS DOESN'T MAKE SENSE, but this finally has it in a way I understand.

[@margaretfletcher8769]

You should be proud of yourself young lady. I’m 80 years old and I’ve just done my first successful toe graft because of YOU xxxxxx

[@anneburlingham9860]

I have searched many tutorials and there are a lot! Some come close even the slo mo but you have nailed it for me. Thankfully. A lot of attention to detail and the chunk yarn helps too. Very thorough🌻

[@aknitica]

Glad I could help!

[@FrancienDanielsWebb]

First person to tell me where the yarn should be ...above the work under the needles ... thank you 🙏 so much Francien from Australia 🇦🇺

[@mazg4707]

Your way is the best I've seen and least complicated thank you 😊

[@lynnknight2192]

This may be an older video but you have finally helped me master the Kitchner Stitch. A huge thank you!

[@cindyblack1746]

yes thank you, you added the little details i needed for the first time doing this. I watched a few people and i also had a teacher that was confusing me so much on where to put the strings and such.

[@dwhendrie]

Best video I’ve seen on grafting toes

[@katjames4490]

This has so simplified the kitchener for me! Thank you!

[@Whistlewalk]

Best demo of the Kitchener I've seen yet. It really helps to explain clearly, as you do, what you're doing as you go. Thanks!

[@gingertrow]

I tried two knitting books and one video, but still could not get this right until I watched your excellent video. It's always good to have a verbal instruction pattern in your head. This and your visuals really helped me finally get my sweater finished. Thanks!

[@1HappyNut]

Before your video, the Kitchener grafting stitch has always been confusing to me (how to keep my place or what order to use, how to remember what to do, etc.)! Your explanation is so clear and calm, and I love your idea of doing them in pairs for efficiency as well as staying on track. BUT, my favorite part has to be your trick that the knitting is facing you, so you begin with knitting on the front needle, and the pearls are facing you on the back needle, so you start with a pearl on the back needle. Brilliant! Thank you!!!

[@TheMrssir]

I agree!

[@lyndines2020]

Thank You! This was EXACTLY the demo I needed - one that explained the RHYTHM of the piece so I can remember it! Knit off, Purl on; Purl off, Knit on. Perfect!

[@zoewilkinson6697]

I really liked how you grafted the stitches in pairs!

[@janekelly7835]

Amanda is my go-to source for any knitting procedure I want to learn, or anything I'm having trouble with. She has a very clear way of explaining everything very simply, and with good humor and kindness. This video is no exception. I'm so grateful for her help, and recommend her to anyone with knitting questions. She is an amazing teacher!

[@quiltingcarole6411]

EXCELLENT tutorial! I’m new to sock knitting, but have watched lots of grafting videos, and this is the only one I’ve seen that gives me a memorizable sequence to do this. Thank you!!

[@aknitica]

You are so welcome!

[@jenrussell7949]

This was the best explanation for this bind-off I’ve heard yet! I love the concept of working in pairs. This bind-off has never made sense to me until your video!

[@tj-8422]

ditto :)

[@laurabeatrizlanglegarcia9225]

Wonderful and the most easy explanation for such a difficult technique for begginers at least. Tks a lot!!

[@Beaglitude]

I spent last night almost in tears, trying to follow what seemed like clear instructions on Kitchener Stitch. Yours is the BEST explanation I have ever seen-- it may be the best instruction of anything I've seen. Very well demonstrated and explained. It made all the difference. Thank you so much!

[@carolemyers6865]

Thank you very much. Excellent lesson. Love that you pointed out details.

[@helyee]

This was the clearest explanation I've ever come across, and your video image is so perfect. No wondering what you are doing. Absolutely clear. Thank you!

[@mayabychkova1504]

Thank you for the video! I've finally understood how to do it this stitch!! After watching so many videos. :D

[@kandies9138]

This was the easiest Kitchener stitch for me! Thank you so much for posting it!

[@Mischiou]

Thanks dear for sharing. It's been a lifesaver. Bless you. You're very talented.

[@deewhite0612]

This is the best grafting video out there. Thank you.

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Gone......

[@lauramouttet3055]

Thank you...had accidently undone wrong join between 2 colored knitting in a blanket and had to use kitchener stitch to stich the two colors back together. Worked a charm!!

[@JorahLavin]

Thank you for this. Simplifying the two stitches by drawing the yarn through only once is such a brilliant move. You are right, losing track of where you are was what was making Kitchener so difficult. I've been away from knitting for two years, and was dreading finishing this mitten, but was fortunate to find your video.

[@lisameadows8900]

I watched a lot of videos on this stitch. Yours was the best explanation. Working the two stitches together makes this so much easier. Thank you so much!

[@jenar62]

Bravo, thanks a bunch for the professional tutorial 👏

[@marilyn6068]

Liked the way you pulled the yarn across to tighten it up at the end.

[@marinaedmond3673]

I have been trying to learn to graft for years, including my mother teaching me. I make my own socks, but when it comes to grafting I have to look at how to do it, but I'm never happy with the end result. I came across your you tube and followed it........wow, what explicit and well articulated instructions. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I've made a second pair of socks and was able to graft them closed without looking back at the video. I'm stoked.

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Marina.......

[@beckypounders744]

Thank you so much for your demonstation! I tried many, many demonstrations with no success, but your demonstration is clear, makes perfect sense and helped me be successful with this stitch. Thank you!!

[@I_L_W_1998]

Ditto!!! Video saved, liked, subscribed!

[@GwynethRichardson-xn8wz]

A fantastic video. This video makes Kitchener Stitch so easy. Thank you so much for posting.

[@carolstroud4188]

I looked at various tutorials, this was by far the easiest one to do. Thank you❤

[@atrinka1]

I gasped when you let loose the last two stitches😂😂😂 Thanks, your instructions are the best!

[@gailbird100]

WOW thanks I followed step by step really slowly and NOW I have a complete Christmas Stocking. THANKS so MUCH. Happy me.

[@angelabyrd9047]

This is definitely my go-to video for this stitch! I love the simplicity of the mantra and the clarity of the demo. Great video!

[@gonuldemiral94]

I'm speechless! This is without a doubt the exact solution I was looking for. You simply can't imagine how happy I am now! Many thanks!

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Gonul.......

[@helensebelius7030]

After watching several videos yours is the clearest! THANK YOU!

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Helen........

[@adelevarao5446]

Thanks so much for the video. I finally get it. I was losing my place drawing the yarn through each stitch. It’s so much easier doing the two stitches together in pairs and then pulling the needle through.

[@abcdefg1142]

I agree - this is the best video I’ve come across for this stitch. I thought I was never going to get it down. You made it a breeze. Thank you so much!

[@holistictherapies6795]

Absolutely brilliant technique. I found it so easier to follow and you never know I might even remember how to do it on my own, fingers crossed 😊🤗

[@TheMrssir]

Thank you from a recent viewer! I finally figured out how not to loose track of where I was at when closing off my sock toe end, etc. YOU ARE HIRED! :)

[@clarephillips2307]

I found that thinking of Grafting in pairs on each needle really helped me not get lost and grasp the method so much better. Thank you very much for your incisive explanation and not just repeating individual steps.

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Claire.......

[@vicki1141]

Thank you so much Amanda!!! You have taken the mystery out of grafting toes and mittens for me. Doing the happy dance here in Nova Scotia on a stormy "mitten" day.

[@judebacon4463]

Thanks for the sew along instructions , which i watched and then re watched pausing as I sewed up , definitely the best toes on the many pairs of socks I've made . Ill be recommending this to others .

[@hooksbookspodcast]

OMG finally!!! A video showing those pesky last 2 stitches on a Kitchener row!!!! I love your method! I always have a weird loop at the end and doing it this way makes it way less painful and more pretty! Thank you thank u thank you ❤️😘

[@janekelbiesabetian2998]

Amanda hi - this is just to thank you for putting up such an ' easy to follow ' tutorial on how to do the ' Kitchener ' stitch and the easy logic in order to remember the rows- I have learned to knit socks this year and have so far found other tutorials rather vague in their instruction. Look forward to other videos you put up. Kind regards

[@jenspep]

I love your helpful phrase. Knit the stitch when the Knit side is facing and purl when the purl side faces. Finally! I’ve got it! Thanks.

[@suecelmer3951]

Beautiful socks and a very nice looking Kitchener stitch.

[@ddofat]

Thank you for posting this video. It is very helpful and less confusing.

[@heatherfenwick8218]

yaaaay! I went through the same journey as Sarah before finding this video. THANK YOU for explaining it so well in this easy to remember method that you use.

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Heather.......

[@angeldove73]

This is the best well explained grafting thank you 😊

[@annevandenboogaard4068]

Thankyou, best video of this stitch, makes so much sense

[@ljwilliams755]

you did an excellent job breaking this down. I'm a lefty, but it was easy to translate in my head. Thank you

[@Patricia-if5cv]

Excellent instructions. Thank you!

[@cathyfreeny8346]

Thank you so much for showing the whole row. I have been trying this for a whole week! Yours is the BEST!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@joanprince26]

Yes Helen ... I so agree with you! Simple - clear .....

[@gingerredshoes]

Excellent explanation, thanks! 🧶🧦

[@CreranMom]

Best explanation!

[@maryloujohns6172]

This explanation was clear and effective. I had watched several videos & this was the only one that told the knitter to only pull the yarn through after doing two stitches. It works!

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Mary.......

[@junderwood830]

Oh, my! 34 years of knitting and you, my Sweetheart(!), have helped immensely! Who knew just working the stitches in pairs would demystify this nasty little join. Thank you so much for sharing your tips!

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Della......

[@Dianne-td5br]

I was struggling terribly to do this stitch!!! Thank you sooooo much you are a great teacher!!

[@janetmarsh3117]

The best ever tutorial on Kitchener Stich! Thanks so much!🥰

[@eastbay4750]

Your instructions are the BEST and why I was able to learn the Kitchener Stitch. I did it! Thank you so much!🙌🏻🥰

[@willieis62]

Thank you for the easy lesson in kitchener stitching. I've tried numerous times to do this stitch without success. You made it very easy to understand.

[@eastbay4750]

I haven’t tried this yet but I love the way you demonstrate the entire toe of the sock. Thank you so much for clearing this up for me!🥰🧶

[@yolandahernandez-madsen4657]

Im impressed. Thank you ❤️ Maybe now I can do it. 🤗🥰

[@ethelryan257]

Logical. Well explained. Thanks!

[@kittysocks2]

I LOVE this video. I have struggled with Kitchner stitch for years, now my toes look great and so easy. Thank you so much for doing this video.

[@avrilcrisp30]

You have made an old woman very happy. Lovely clear and slow instructions so I could work along and I didnt even have the sound on. Thank you for sharing.

[@jenniferknauer332]

I am so very happy to find your video, you explain very clearly, slowly and do the stitching as you explain very well, I think I can follow you and learn. thanks you are awesome! great start

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Jennifer......

[@lailaelkhatb]

I had given up learning this technique from the complicated way they teach it... This is the first tutorial that has made me see how simple it is!

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Laila......

[@wandasmart8941]

Wow, this is a great way to do the grafting. . . makes so much more sense doing it in pairs. . . thank you so much for your tutorial.

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Wanda......

[@weavingfun]

Best explanation ever!!!

[@KKITTYKAT53]

THANK YOU so much. Im saving this video. I have tried many different videos and my mind could not get this.

[@crochetcatcrafty]

Loved your demo. I wrecked the first sock by not understanding the Kitchener stitch, my second sock will look so much better. Thanks for going slow, I really appreciate it! :-)

[@DonicaTibbetts]

this was so helpful! I was always so confused and intimidated by the kitchener stitch! this made it very easy. Also I was able to avoid the "rabbit ears on the ends by tightenign up the sewing yarn at the first and last stitch pairs.

[@irenejackson4193]

A brilliant way of doing Kitchener stitch - thank you!

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello Irene.......

[@sylviemimichevol3567]

Great video, thanks so much. Although I could make it ok, I always stressed a lot when doing this. But I’ve just grafted 50+ stitches with your method, and it was a piece of cake.

[@peggyflynn5669]

So clear, I finally have success with grafting!

[@elaineheisler8584]

Good demonstration for sure. Been watching many videos for doing the grafting. Next pair will be on my needles tomorrow. Thank you.

[@candygeck6162]

Yeah!!! I finally finished a sox with a nice look thanks to your video. Great advice & I've saved it for future sox! ❤ thanks for California!

[@brownsugardelima]

Best Kitchener stitch tutorial EVER!!

[@agaaga6166]

Simply the best...thank you

[@caroldalo4336]

Excellent demonstration ! I feel confident enough to finish my project now! Thank you!!

[@JenLunny]

So so helpful!! Just finishing my first sock and this is the simplest and most straightforward video I have found. Thank you!!

[@joanneburek5274]

Best method I've come across. My garment is black yarn and I kept getting lost with other methods. This one works. Thank you!

[@fredjohn6229]

Hello JoAnne......

[@TheDivera]

Thank you 😘 Finally I got it.

[@Catra7]

Well done video. Easy to follow and understand. Now I just have to put it in practice with my socks!

[@terrbear222]

Great video! Every little bit helps as I finesse my knitting!

[@arohacecil5235]

Absolutely brilliant. First time grafting & it is perfect. Thank you so much. 💓

[@ketchupwitheverythin]

Best demo out there ppl!

[@melindahuntley9873]

very good tutorial especially doing the two stitches at the same time. Thank you