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Giveaway: Yarn to Knit a Cowl from the Yarnspirations Lookbook

by

Win the yarn to knit your own Strand-Tastic Cowl from Yarnspirations!

Congratulations to Frank George!

When Yarnspirations contacted me about featuring their fall lookbook (which I was totally going to do anyway, because I love it) I threw out the suggestion that we could do a giveaway with the yarn from one of the patterns.

Because I’m a big fan of gifting what you would like to receive, I picked the Strand-Tastic Cowl, a cute and easy cowl worked with stranded colorwork where the strands are actually on the outside of the work as you wear it.

I like the look of a project like this but have never actually done it myself. Maybe thinking about this project will finally inspire me to try it on my own.

The giveaway this week, then is four balls of Classic Wool Roving, one each in natural, yellow, aran and low tide. It won’t hurt my feelings if you knit something else with them, but I think they’re lovely in this cowl.

If you want a chance to win these, leave a comment on this post before the end of the day Sunday, November 2. (What is it doing being almost November already?)

Why don’t you tell me what you would knit with this yarn if you weren’t going to make the cowl, or who you would make it for if you were. (I would keep it for myself.)

Thanks for visiting, commenting and sharing, and good luck!

{Photo via Yarnspirations.}

Looking to buy your Yarn online? Check out these online yarn specials.

Specific to knitters, you can join our Knitting Patterns Only group to get, well, knitting patterns, ask questions and gain inspiration for what to knit next.

Check out these books dedicated to Knitted Cowl Patterns still looking for more cowl patterns? Check these out on Etsy.

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Comments

  2. I love cowls and I love the color combinations in this one–I’d have to try out the technique to see how I feel about the stranded colorwork being on the outside!

  3. I would definitely try to make this cowl! My sister bought me a book on stranded knitting for my birthday and this would be a great way to begin.

  4. I would knit the cowl for the lovely wife/mother who lives next door. she has shared her lovely children since the day they were born, which are now 6 & 9..They call me Miss Elaine and come over to do crafts together and many other things…what a great thank you it would be for Miss Angela

  5. I would make the cowl. I downloaded the pattern. I checked out the other colors of roving available, and I would probably choose other colors for a second shot at the cowl, something with more contrast between them than the yellow and low tide. I’d make the first one for my sister-in-law, who helps her husband (he works as a farrier) and works on their mini-farm. Those colors would suit her beautifully. I’d keep the second one for myself. Thanks for suggesting this giveaway. I really hope I win!

  6. I was just searching for something to make for my college freshman Granddaughter for Christmas; this is PERFECT!! Love the pattern!!

  10. Beautiful yarn! With the cooler weather, I have started knitting again and would love to use this yarn.

  11. i d love to try this pattern!! I ve already pin it in my boards as something i would like to try, so i got really excited with the giveaway! Maybe this is the perfect timing! plus i love these colors! ?

  12. I would make a hat. There would be enough yarn to be able to do 2. That way, I would be able to give both my granddaughters a little something to keep them warm this winter.

  14. This looks great! I would still make a cowl out of this yarn, as Friday already features a lovely rain/snow mix up in Chicago, and I can never have too many cowls! (Clearly I’d keep it for myself as well.)

  15. If I won, I would probably make the cowl and gift it to my friend Kristen or my sister in law.

  17. I have been on a cowl knitting frenzy to donate to a mitten tree for charity,think I would have to keep that one for myself, it looks fabulous.

  20. I would knit this lovely cowl for my sister. She needs something special in her life right now and this would be a very special gift to brighten up her day and keep her warm at the same time.

  28. I would definitely knit this cowl. I love the colors and am interested in seeing if I have the ability to do the stranded color work. I would like to say I would knit this for my sister, but if it turns out really nice I’d probably keep it for myself.

  29. I would knit this for my sister who lost her husband very recently. If she would prefer I would knit a hat. Thank you for the giveaway

  32. I have seen this reverse stranding trend many times through the years, and never cared much for it, but this is a little different. Mostly I’ve seen sweaters, with complete yokes, large designs across the chest, or even all-over designs, and usually in no heavier than worsted weight. This cowl with it’s limited use of the technique as an accent, and in such a bulky yarn, is more attractive. Thanks for the giveaway, KittenWhiplash on Rav.

  33. This roving yarn look interesting. I’ve only knit one other cowl which is for charity, so I would knit this one for myself.

  40. I would like to make the cowl for me. However, I am a beginner and this looks to be more involved. If this one becomes too much, I would try an easier cowl.

  41. I am not someone who does colorwork. But I know exactly the bkff (best knitting friend forever) I would gift it to for Christmas. She loves coals and colorwork.

  43. I love finding new patterns and construction for cowls. Unique is my middle name! I would love making this cowl! Would make this for one of my daughters.

Have you read?

How To Do Kitchener Stitch: A Beginner-Friendly Guide To Grafting Knitting Seamlessly

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.

What Is Kitchener Stitch?

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:

  • sock toes
  • mitten tips
  • shoulder joins
  • cowls
  • loop scarves
  • seamless tube projects
  • underarm stitches on some sweaters
  • small knitted bags and pouches

It is most commonly used on stockinette stitch, but grafting can also be adapted for other stitch patterns once you understand the basic idea.

Why Use Kitchener Stitch Instead Of Sewing A Seam?

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.

Supplies You Need

To work Kitchener stitch, you will need:

  • two knitting needles holding live stitches
  • a tapestry needle or darning needle
  • yarn tail or matching yarn
  • scissors
  • good lighting
  • a little patience the first time

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.

Before You Start: Set Up Your Stitches

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.

The Kitchener Stitch Mantra

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.

Kitchener Stitch Step-By-Step

Setup Step 1

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.

Setup Step 2

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.

Step 1: Front Needle, Knitwise, Off

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.

Step 2: Front Needle, Purlwise, On

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.

Step 3: Back Needle, Purlwise, Off

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.

Step 4: Back Needle, Knitwise, On

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.

A Simple Way To Remember It

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.

How Tight Should Kitchener Stitch Be?

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.

How To Finish The Last Stitches

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.

Troubleshooting Kitchener Stitch

My graft looks too tight

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.

My graft looks loose

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.

I lost my place

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.

I split the yarn

A blunt tapestry needle helps prevent splitting. If a stitch looks split and messy, carefully undo that part before continuing.

The join looks like a seam, not a row of knitting

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.

Practice Before Grafting A Real 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.

When Else Can You Use Kitchener Stitch?

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.

Kitchener Stitch For Sock Knitters

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.