I have a sweater pattern that calls for the following: 2 l/2" rib, 17 1/2" stockinette (both front and back . . . the front has a repeating different color pattern - the back is all one color). The front/back is left on a knitting needle and set aside. The same number of stitches are cast onto another set of knitting needles and another 2 1/2" ribbing (exactly the same as the one at the bottom of the front/back) is knit. The instructions then call for the front/back to be “grafted” to the 2 1/2" ribbing. The author does not explain what grafting is or how to do it and I am unable to find the term in any of my books. Does anyone know how to do this? It seems to me I ought to be able to just switch from stockinette to ribbing (since the # of stitches does not change and the rib pattern is the same as the 2 1/2" ribbing at the bottom) but don’t want to make a huge mistake. I am a new knitter. Many thanks for any information provided!
I can’t think of a reason why the designer did this but she probably had a reason. Whatever the reason was, I’m sure there is some way to get around it, if you really want to, and still get the same effect, or to choose a different effect.
Grafting is, I believe, the same as what many people call kitchener stitch, your books may have instructions under that name. If you search these terms on google, or search ‘kitchener stitch tutorial’ you should get lots of websites with detailed pictures and explanation on how to do it, tips to make it look good, etc.
If you find it confusing or can’t understand it at all and can’t get anyone at your local wool shop to show you, you may want to try another way, but I say try kitchener first.
Have a look for tutorials for grafting/kitchener, if you really can’t do it, we’ll be happy to help explain it or to offer suggestions on another way of doing that part. If you want another way to do this without grafting, post a description of the pattern preferably with a picture, and more of the pattern (or a link to it) if you can.
Sarah
Amy has a video for Kitchener Stitch [color=indigo]here [/color]if you want to have a look at it… just scroll down to the finishing section and it’s in there.
silver’s sock tutorial also has a great section on kitchener stitch with lots of pics.
Thank you all so much for your replies! The stitch is indeed the Kitchener stitch. I can’t wait to get started on my sweater!
Thank you all so much for your replies! The stitch is indeed the Kitchener stitch. I can’t wait to get started on my sweater!