How to graft the toe of your sock. Kitchener stitch tutorial.

Here’s a quick, step by step photo tutorial showing you how to graft the toe of your socks. This is a really handy technique for sock knitting and once you get used to the direction of the darning needle, you’ll be ready to cast on your next pair of socks!

This method is also known as Kitchener stitch but knitters nowadays prefer to call it grafting. You can find out why here. 

To start, you have to end your toe knitting with an even number of stitches and they have to be divided between two needles. You can use any needles for this part but they have to sit parallel. Make sure that the two wrong sides of your work are facing. 

To set up, you first need to have your darning needle to hand with your yarn tail threaded through it. 

1. Put your darning needle through the first stitch on the front needle (the one closest to you) as if to purl and pull your yarn through. Leave the stitch on the needle. 

2. Put your darning needle through the first stitch on the back needle as if to knit and pull your yarn through. You also need to leave that stitch on the needle. 

The next 4 parts of this will be repeated to the end and they are as follows:  

3. Put your darning needle through the first stitch on the front needle knitwise, thread the yarn through and slip that stitch off the needle.

 4. Put your darning needle through the first stitch on the front needle purlwise, thread the yarn through and keep that stitch on the needle.

5. Put your darning needle through the first stitch on the back needle purlwise, thread the yarn through and slip that stitch off the needle.

6. Put your darning needle through the first stitch on the back needle knitwise, thread the yarn through. Leave that stitch on the needle. 

Now repeat the last 4 steps (3-6) until you’ve closed your toe. Weave in ends and wear with pride! 

Do you still need help with grafting? Here’s a handy video from my youtube channel demonstrating how to graft the toe of a sock. The instructions are at the end of this video.

I’ve put the instructions together here for you too for a Pinterest pin. Pin it for safe keeping! 

Sock knitting patterns to try:

Easy 2 needle flat knit socks patternSimple two needle flat knit sock pattern.

The Flock Socks

The Andalusian socks. Free textured sock knitting pattern.