Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

kate4 — Sat, 24 Oct 2009 15:35:34 GMT

Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you....well... you get it, I'm sure!

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

maknits — Sat, 14 Feb 2009 06:57:56 GMT

I just finished my first pair of socks. I did two at once on circular needles. Since I'd never done any method I tried this and it was easy and looks great. Thanks!

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

SandraJ@3 — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 04:43:08 GMT

I have tried and tried to follow these instructions, but there is no way I can make it work. So it is back to the Kitchener Stitch for me.

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

akaglorious — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 17:11:17 GMT

Before any more time goes by I wanted to especially thank you for the alternative to Kitchener Stitch. Gloria J

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

Justine — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 01:11:51 GMT

Just tried out this technique and while I'm fine with Kitchener stitch, I think this way IS a bit easier to get an even tension in the graft. Having said that, are you supposed to treat the last two stitches as one and purl them together? That's how I read the instructions and it left a big lump. I undid it and purled the front stitch and knit the back stitch, as per the rest of the instructions and it worked better.

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

KatherineC@2 — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 20:59:26 GMT

Such a wonderful tip. I can't seem to use double pointed needles and took a class on socks on 2 circulars. Socks are my favorite thing to knit until I get to the end. This seems much like Kitchener, but comes out with a smoother look for some reason. I love it! Thanks!!

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

JudithB@3 — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 20:21:14 GMT

Kitchener stitch is ok for the few stitches for sock toes. I can live with it even if I don't particulary care for it. But I was just finishing the second half of a scarf that needs the pieces grafted together and was dreading having to Kitchener it. The tip came just in time, it worked out beautifully and the scarf is wonderful...you can't even tell where the graft is.

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

TammyS — Sat, 03 Jan 2009 10:53:54 GMT

I think this is great when you don't have a tapestry needle handy, but this is really just another way to do kitchener! If you can follow this instructions, you can kitchener.

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

PriscillaB — Wed, 31 Dec 2008 00:03:11 GMT

First, let me say Thanks Sandi for your inventiveness. I;m sorry, but I don't get why people hate the Kitchener stitch. It does take a bit of concentration, but it is easy, and for heaven's stakes it's only for 8 to 16 sts. I learned it when I was 11 years old. For years, if there was a lag between times, I had to check instructions each time I did it, but now I've done it so many times, I can do it in my sleep. (My very old instructions start off a bit differently, but are essentially the same as those published now.) However, it's great to have another tool in my aresenal, so I will definitely save these instructions and use them. I also like the comment about reversing the order to get a garter stitch finish. Also, there are times when I don't have the yarn needle handy, so doing this with a third needle should be really neat. So again, Thanks, Sandi, for your inventiveness Priscilla

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

AnnaM — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 20:25:14 GMT

From a grafting-impaired knitter comes an enormoust THANK YOU! I have been Kitchenered-out, trying to follow and then memorize and then "read my knitting" and then saying "Oh h..., I'll just do it my way," and everything else. So Thenks, Sandi

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

ShariZ — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:45:42 GMT

Oh my, I'm doing my very first pair of socks and am "finishing challenged". Sure wish there was a video to see the steps in slow motion. For some techniques, I don't do as well with written instructions (like the Kitchener stitch). I'll give this a try and hopefully have a pair of socks to wear and not something to start a "ufo pile"! Shari

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

Barb@5 — Mon, 29 Dec 2008 13:45:01 GMT

I just finished a pair of socks and closed the toes with Kitchener stitch. I finished the first one with the help of YouTube using the tapestry needle method. [BTW There are some very helpful tutorials there.] Watching the video helped immensely - but the stitches are a little too loose. I used the method above for the other sock and it came out perfectly! Thanks for the tip.

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

SueM@2 — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 18:57:39 GMT

I just did the posted bind off on my sock, and it works wonderfully! First time I don't have "grinch" toes pointing out! Thanks for posting it!

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

reina — Sun, 28 Dec 2008 10:44:34 GMT

In the Netherlands we learned finishing of socks at home and in school the same way, no kitchener stitch, no darning needle , just four (or five) dpns. When you are reducing the stitches for the toe, stop at at least six stitches for children, ten or twelve for grown ups or in using very fine yarn a few more. The finished width should be what you want in front of your toes, like finished Kitchenerstitches. Now distribute your stitches over 3 dpns (four would be a bit easier) Now here comes the trick and if a twelve year old unwilling to knit schoolgirl (not me, I loved knitting from the start) can do this, you can too: pull your whole sock through the hole that is formed by your dpns, your sock is now inside out. Replace the stitches on two of your dpns and cast of, knittingwise one stitch of each needle knitting two together, then te next two one from each dpn and then pass over the first stitch over the second, again knit two stitches together, pass over the first over the last till the very last two stitches are knitted together, pass over the first stitch on your needle and pass the rest of your yarn through this stitsch the same waay you use always casting of. NOW you need that needle to hide the tail, but you needed that anyway for the tailleft by your casting on and you can do that the second before putting your socks on. BTW this does look very complicated by reading it, but it beats Kitchenerstitch by miles in simplicity, it just takes so many words to explain. Basics are, turn sock on the needles inside out, replace stitches on two dpns, cast off taking one stitch from both needles and knit those before the pass over procedure and bind off. Turn sock right side out. Cast on second sock, finish tails whenever you find time and needle. Reina.

re: Finishing Tip: For Those Who Hate the Kitchener Stitch

GinnyB — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 17:33:39 GMT

I Like this alternative; Seemed to take a bit longer, but finished off nicely; thanks.