Free Patterns, Tutorials and Project Ideas
Perfect for quickie knitting.
Perfect for that one skein that has lost it’s mate.
Perfect for gift giving.
And now it can be yours! One Ball Knits – Purses by Fatema, Khadija, and Hajera Habibur-Rahman. This book features handbags, totes, clutches, satchels, and more, all from just one ball of yarn. Organized by season, you’ll find designs that complement all of your personal styles.
So, leave me a comment telling me what you’d do with just one skein or one ball of yarn!
Kitchener stitch is one of those knitting techniques that feels a little bit mysterious until you finally sit down and do it. It is often used to close the toes of socks, but it is also a wonderfully neat way to join two sets of live stitches together without making a bulky seam.
If you have ever finished a beautiful sock and then paused at the toe because the pattern says “graft remaining stitches,” this is the tutorial you want to keep handy.
Kitchener stitch, also called grafting, creates a row of stitches between two pieces of knitting so the join looks almost invisible. Instead of binding off and sewing two edges together, you use a tapestry needle and yarn to form a new row of knitting between the live stitches.
It is one of the most useful finishing techniques for knitters, especially if you enjoy knitting socks, mittens, cowls, loop scarves, or garments where a smooth join matters.
You might also like this older CraftGossip post on grafting with Kitchener stitch, and if you want to go deeper into finishing techniques, this post on mastering grafting in knitting is another helpful read.
Kitchener stitch is a method of grafting two sets of live stitches together. The stitches stay on two needles, usually held parallel to each other, and you use a threaded tapestry needle to work through the stitches in a specific order.
When done well, the finished join looks like one continuous piece of knitting.
This is why Kitchener stitch is so popular for:
It is most commonly used on stockinette stitch, but grafting can also be adapted for other stitch patterns once you understand the basic idea.
The biggest benefit of Kitchener stitch is that it creates a smooth, almost invisible join. That matters most in places where you do not want a bulky seam, such as the toe of a sock.
A sewn seam across a sock toe can feel uncomfortable inside a shoe. Kitchener stitch avoids that by creating a flat, flexible finish.
It also gives knitted items a more polished look. If you are making gifts, charity knits, socks, or heirloom-style projects, learning this one technique can make your finished pieces look much neater.
For knitters who enjoy socks, you may also like this roundup of knitting patterns using sock yarn, especially if you have leftover yarn after finishing a pair.
To work Kitchener stitch, you will need:
If you are working sock toes, most patterns will tell you how many stitches to leave on each needle before grafting.
As a general guide, leave a yarn tail at least three times the width of the stitches you are grafting. If you are unsure, leave a little extra. It is much easier to weave in a longer tail than to run out halfway across.
A blunt-tip tapestry needle is easier to control than a sharp sewing needle because it slides between yarn strands without splitting them as much. You can find tapestry needles, sock knitting tools, stitch markers, and finishing supplies through places such as Amazon, Mary Maxim, or your favorite local yarn store.
For standard Kitchener stitch on stockinette:
Hold the two needles parallel, with the wrong sides of the knitting facing each other.
The right side of the knitting should be facing out.
The needle closest to you is the front needle.
The needle farther away from you is the back needle.
Thread your yarn tail onto a tapestry needle.
Try to keep the stitches sitting neatly on the needles and avoid twisting them before you begin.
Many knitters remember Kitchener stitch with this little rhythm:
Front needle: knit off, purl on.
Back needle: purl off, knit on.
That means:
On the front needle, go into the first stitch knitwise and take it off. Then go into the next stitch purlwise and leave it on.
On the back needle, go into the first stitch purlwise and take it off. Then go into the next stitch knitwise and leave it on.
Once you get into the rhythm, it becomes much less intimidating.
Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to purl.
Pull the yarn through.
Leave the stitch on the knitting needle.
Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to knit.
Pull the yarn through.
Leave the stitch on the knitting needle.
Now you are ready to begin the repeating sequence.
Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to knit.
Pull the yarn through.
Slip that stitch off the knitting needle.
Insert the tapestry needle into the next stitch on the front needle as if to purl.
Pull the yarn through.
Leave that stitch on the knitting needle.
Insert the tapestry needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to purl.
Pull the yarn through.
Slip that stitch off the knitting needle.
Insert the tapestry needle into the next stitch on the back needle as if to knit.
Pull the yarn through.
Leave that stitch on the knitting needle.
Repeat these four steps until all stitches have been grafted.
Say this out loud as you work:
Knit off, purl on.
Purl off, knit on.
It feels silly the first few times, but it works. Many knitters mutter this little phrase while closing sock toes, and honestly, anything that helps you avoid losing your place is worth doing.
One of the most common mistakes with Kitchener stitch is pulling the yarn too tightly.
You are not sewing a seam closed. You are creating a new row of knitting.
After every few stitches, gently adjust the tension so the grafted row matches the surrounding stitches. If you pull too tightly, the join may pucker. If you leave it too loose, the grafted row may look stretched out.
A good trick is to look at the stitches beside the graft and try to match their size.
Do not panic if it looks a little uneven while it is still on the needles. Kitchener stitch often looks better once everything is off the needles and the tension has been gently adjusted.
When you get to the final stitches, continue the sequence as closely as possible.
If there is only one stitch left on a needle, work the “off” part of the sequence for that stitch.
Pull the yarn through gently and then weave the tail into the inside or wrong side of the project.
For socks, weave the end into the inside of the toe so it will not be visible.
You probably pulled the yarn too firmly as you worked. Use the tip of your tapestry needle to gently loosen each grafted stitch, working from one side to the other.
Gently snug up the grafted stitches one at a time. Do not yank the working yarn all at once, as this can make one area tight and another loose.
Pause and look at the stitches. If the last stitch was removed from the front needle, you are probably ready to work the “purl on” part on the front needle or move to the back needle. If you are a beginner, it helps to say the mantra out loud every single time.
A blunt tapestry needle helps prevent splitting. If a stitch looks split and messy, carefully undo that part before continuing.
This usually means the tension is too tight or the needle was inserted in the wrong direction on some stitches. Practice on a swatch before using Kitchener stitch on a special project.
If Kitchener stitch makes you nervous, knit two small stockinette swatches and place the live stitches on two needles. Use a contrasting yarn to practice grafting across the stitches.
Practicing with a different color makes it easier to see what the grafted row is doing. Once you understand the movement, try again with matching yarn.
This is especially useful before grafting handmade socks, because sock toes are small and can feel fiddly the first few times.
Kitchener stitch is most famous for sock toes, but it is helpful in many other knitting projects.
Use it for joining the ends of a cowl or loop scarf, especially when you start with a provisional cast on. This CraftGossip post on making loop scarves from stash yarn mentions using a provisional cast on so the ends can be grafted together neatly.
You can also use Kitchener stitch for small bags, seamless headbands, mitten tips, and some garment joins.
If you are brushing up on knitting basics, this post on favorite ways to cast on is a good companion read, especially if you are learning how different beginnings and endings affect the finish of a project.
If you knit socks from the cuff down, Kitchener stitch is one of the most useful finishing techniques you can learn.
Most cuff-down sock patterns end with a small number of stitches divided between two needles. Kitchener stitch closes those stitches without creating a ridge across the toe.
For a comfortable sock toe:
Keep the stitches evenly divided.
Do not pull the graft too tightly.
Check that the toe lies flat before weaving in the end.
Use matching yarn whenever possible.
Once the sock is finished, blocking can also help smooth the stitches and even out the graft.
If you enjoy knitting small accessories, you might also like these easy headband knitting patterns, which are great projects for practicing finishing techniques on something smaller than a sweater.
Kitchener stitch has a reputation for being tricky, but it is really just a short sequence repeated across two needles. Once you remember the rhythm — knit off, purl on, purl off, knit on — it becomes much easier.
The real secret is to slow down, keep your tension relaxed, and remember that you are creating a row of knitting, not stitching a seam shut.
It may not feel natural the first time, but after a few sock toes or practice swatches, Kitchener stitch becomes one of those finishing skills you will be glad to have in your knitting toolkit.
I have several singletons in my stash.. victims of impulse buying mostly. They just sit there. With no hope of ever actually being used. Maybe a book like this is exactly what I need to use them up! I may have to go buy this one. 🙂
I’d knit a clutch for my sister for Christmas.
The possibilities are endless. Living in a cold climate, mittens come in handy. Also, I love purses and what is one more knitted purse?
I would make a set of baby booties and matching hat from a friend that is having a baby in November. Perfect timing.
i have a ton of single solo skeins, you know when you fall in lvoe with the yarn but have no game plan…but need at least one! I am thinking, hats: fingerless gloves, tea cozies, etc…. but need more ideas!
Ahh- getting a head start on all those holiday gifts, using yarn that calls out “touch me, use me, give me!” One skein patterns are like magazines vs books – just as wonderful to read, but in their brevity comes faster results, rewards, and accomplishments!
I’ve got lots of leftover skeins from when I bought one too many for a project but never got around to returning it to the store (or couldn’t return it) so a book like this would be a great reference! I guess they could be knit into ornaments or combined to make a bigger project.
I’d love a cute little hat or cowl pattern with one skein, but I love hearing some more ideas!
fingerless mitts for wool, washcloths for cotton. that’s where most of my single skeins wind up. love to have some more ideas.
i will make every project that is presented in the book
eventhough i am new at knitting and i dont have alot of solo skeins
greetings from athens greece
What a brilliant idea for a collection! I need this book desperately!
I would make a bag…to hold more knitting projects!
I love to make scarfs. I look for pattens or stitch patterns that would be enhance by the beautiful yarn.
I have also made ipod necklaces if the yarn is real pretty.
If it a basic acrylic, I save it until I have enough to make a scrappy afghan.
I would try to knit some small carrying cases and pouches for all of the little things that go rolling around the drawers and bags in my house. E.g. pencil cases, makeup bags, etc.
I’d knit some bunting.
I’ll be moving in about a year and I don’t want to move my yarn stash! I’ve been trying to use up all the little singletons and half-skeins. I’ve been knitting baby toys lately, but I’d like some ideas for me!
It’s either use it up or find a new home. I’m a hopeless “collector” of yarn and I need some new/quick ideas to use up those skeins that I just “couldn’t leave behind” at yarn shop! I’ve promised myself that this holiday will be a “handcrafted” one and this book would be just the ticket!!
I’ve been on a slipper-knitting jag lately. It’s a Ysolda Teague pattern from her Whimsical Little Knits. But I love knitting little bags and purses too…
I love bags! I have dozens of patterns saved on my computer, but most take more than one skein. Making amigurumi is always fun too.
I just discovered that I can get a kid’s scarf out of one ball – being a novice knitter I really have not much clue! But now that I know that, I’ll be using up those stray balls to donate scarves to the school fete craft stand.
More ideas welcome!
I love single skeins which I make into skinny scarves. But I need new projects so I’m looking forward to this book!
I have so many little lonely skeins without a mate. I’m always on the search for patterns designed for one skein. I normally do scarves, little coin purses, dishclothes or something like that. But I really want to get more patterns and ideas for single skeins.
I love bags and scarves and have a TON of single skeins in my stash. This book would be perfect for me! Thanks for the giveaway!
I love quickie knits – kinda my style… especially bags!!
I like to make granny squares with left over yarns. When I get enough squares, I put them together and make an afgan. I also like to make skinny scarves.
I like to make unusual evening or day bags by knitting then felting in the washing machine- tafter this I embellish them with anything I can find. However many I make my yarn pile never seems to diminish!
Ether a bag or pot holders, depends on the type of yarn.
A loose stitch one skein scarf would be fun. Or a new project from the book.
Darla
Oooh – I love one skein projects and I love purses and bags! What a perfect book, I would love to win!
I knit up squares to use for projects later con5459(at)gmail(dot)com
I am knitting a hat right now with a single skein I picked up in the sale bin at the local yarn shop. I have several single skeins and balls of yarn just waiting for the right project. A simple scarf, maybe a little bag, wristlets, etc. Quick knits and on to the next piece.
One skein projects, for a new knitter! I’d make some coasters, potholders, fingerless gloves….Destash my stash.
With one ball I make pom pom animals with felt eyes
Whenever I hear of an event, a birthday, job promotion, had a good hair day, I want to make a gift. I love quick knits because I love to produce fast, thoughtful items for everyone. I also am a new knitter, so I love to have a project that I KNOW I will get done sometime this century!
Right now I’m working on making little vests to send to 3rd World countries where the children succumb to pneumonia so easily. One skein works well for those. Dishcloths and face cloths are good too!
I’ve been making earflap hats
for gifts this year – so if it’s a generous skein, an earflap hat… If it’s not so generous, I’ll just find another skein – there are plenty of those laying around – to go with it to make an earflap hat!!
I adore one skein projects!! Hats, skinny scarves, all sorts of things!
I’d knit clothes for my bears (I’m a bear artist)…winter is coming and they need sweaters, hats, scarves. You’d think that fur coats would be enough, wouldn’t you?! But they want to look fashionable too!
Though… if I was “needled” enough by my elder daughter I’d knit her fingerless gloves … her office is way cold in the winter and she needs to have fingers available for all the grant writing she does!
My grandmother-in-law gives me all her stashed scraps and single balls, so I have baskets and baskets of tiny balls of yarn (and I do mean balls, I roll them by hand) and I can’t ever come up with enough ideas to use them all… finger puppets, hats, scarves, socks, stripy things galore!
I love instant gratification projects! I would make something for me for a change!!
I have always wanted to make a knitted handbag. Thanks for the giveaway!
I’d make scarves for my family!
I’d knit something nice for my knitting swap buddy!
i’d start a blanket and then wait for another left over odd ball to add to it and so on till the blanket is the size needed
I am just learning to knit so any and all books would help me on my way. Hope I win this one. Looks like a great book.
With one skein of yarn I would make a cute little clutch purse to put my ever important belongings, so they won’t get lost in my back pack this upcoming school year :)If I had enough left over I’d knit one for my best friend too.
with one ball of yarn depending on which it was I could make lots of beanies. :-)vbarton24 at gmail dot com
There are a few things that you can make with one ball. One is a knitted belt for a child. Another is a new born baby cap. yet another is a koozie for a hot beverage cup.
I have been given some beautiful Celtic Cross and Celtic diamond patterns that are so pretty that I think i would either knit a motif square and frame it or make a wall hanging with a dowel rod.My stairway is empty and needs a little sunshine, you know the kind that knitting brings 🙂
carolyne