Kitchener Stitch - A Beginner's Guide

The Kitchener Stitch allows you to join two rows of live stitches, that is joining the stitches without first having to bind off. The Kitchener Stitch creates a very thin seam which is suitable for toes of socks and the top of mittens.

You will need:

· Two rows of stitches with an equal number of stitches

· A blunt sewing needle

· A tail of yarn approximately 4 times the length of your seam

Step 1: Holding your two knitting needles together you will work the stitches evenly pairing stitches on the front row and back row. Begin by inserting your blunt needle into the first stitch on the front row from back to front as through to purl this stitch and pull the yarn through. Now, insert your blunt needle into the first stitch on the back needle from front to back as through to knit this stitch, pull the yarn through.

Step 2: Insert your needle into the first stitch on the front row as though to knit this stitch, pull the yarn through and slip the stitch off the knitting needle. Now insert your needle into the new first stitch on the front needle from back to front as through to purl this stitch, pull the thread through but keep the stitch on the knitting needle.

Step 3: Insert your needle into the first stitch on the back needle from back to front as through to purl this stitch, pull the thread through and slip this stitch off the knitting needle. Now, insert you needle into the new first stitch on the back needle from front to back, pull the thread through but keep the stitch on the knitting needle.

Repeat Step 2 & 3 until all stitches have been worked and there are no stitches remaining on the knitting needles. Use your blunt needle to weave in the yarn tail and trim any excess.