I've recently attempted the kitchener stitch for the first time on 2 scarves that were each knitted in two sections and grafted together. I had what looked to be a good tutorial and I thought I was successful in grafting the scarves. However, there is a ridge on the reverse side of each scarf. Is this correct? I've seen the kitchener recommended for socks and I can't imagine that rubbing your toes against that ridge would be comfortable. Did I do something wrong?

I'm new to these boards -- thanks for any advice you pass along!

ddl

I am no expert on the Kitchener stitch at all.

You can do a search on this board for this topic as we have all asked questions about it before. You may find some tips that way. Just go to FIND in the menu bar and type in kitchener stitch and you should get some information.

I would knit up a swatch and practice on that. I did that before I did the kitchener stitch on a sweater. It came out ok on my sweater. I still need some work on this technique before I use it again.

Not sure what tutorial you used. I would check Knit Picks and there is another I found from a friend that is excellent but I don't have the link as it is a video podcast.

Hang in there as others will give you some pointers as well.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: KnitSki,

If you worked kitchener stitch onto live stitches, which is true grafting, there should be no ridge as you are simply inserting a joining row of knitting. If you worked it onto bound off edges, the outside becomes invisible but the inside will have ridges, which are the bound off stitches.

Thank you for your replies -- I should have swatched -- should have known better -- but was too eager to get the scarves done! I did graft onto live stitches also. Could the tension have been wrong? Could I have pulled too tight? Anyway, I'll just have to swatch and practice before my next project.

ddl

Yes, if you used live stitches and pulled too tightly, it could create a ridge (think of a row that got snagged hard with a big loop pulled to one side--in fact, to show yourself, try that on a swatch some time). Think of kitchener stitch as creating a row of knitting--the tension should be exactly the same.

I don't think this is your situation, but just in case, I have known some knitters to confuse three-needle bind-off with grafting. A three-needle bind-off will leave a ridge because you are basically knitting, or purling, two stitches together in the bind-off process.

The grafting or kitchner stitch done properly will be an invisible join.

To follow up on what laura b wrote. . .

Your seam stitches will *show*, they are not supposed to disappear into the gap. Kitchener is more like embroidery than sewing in that way.

I swatched and tried grafting again using the same kitchener tutorial and I ended up with a pretty good-looking join with no ridge! I definitely think I was pulling too tightly.

I had been following a number of posts before I posted for the first time and had found everyone to be friendly and helpful -- as you all were to me! Thanks again for all your suggestions.

ddl

You will find us to be a very nice supportive group I think! Of course I could be a bit biased!

Ha!!!!!!! Join the ranks and you will learn so much from the knitters here as I did.

I disagree with Mt. Mom - kichener is creating another row between the two it is joining, and should be smooth and NOT have a ridge. Traditional kichener is used for joining stockinette-stitching together, and there shouldn't be a gap.

KT could be right - kitchener is done with a yarn needle, not three knitting needles.

I found a variation a couple of years ago to be used with ribbing.