Essential Knitting Techniques - The Kitchener Stitch

For seaming socks to sweaters, the Kitchener stitch, also known as grafting, is essential. It finishes without adding bulk and ridges to the seam - a most uncomfortable prospect for your toes. I found a couple of different reference videos on YouTube that I like. The first video is from the knitwitch. A longer video, but her instructions are very comprehensive and she does a nice beginning set of anchoring stitches before beginning the actual graft. The second video is from heatherc3. She begins the video with the sock still on three DPNs. Nice for an explanation of which needles your live stitches end up on to begin the toe graft. Good to see for us non-Magic Loopers. As you will note with the difference in the techniques used by the knitters at the very beginning of the graft, there is NO ABSOLUTE "RIGHT WAY" that things MUST be done. For sweater seams, I will always anchor the live stitch from which the working yarn feeds (as in the first video) as an added measure of security. With cleaning, the fabric becomes wet and heavy and personally view that "anchor" as an added measure of security for my seaming. As even my machine washable socks are laundered in a lingerie bag on "hand wash" setting for agitation (love that cycle setting on my washer), I don't feel that it is always necessary to "anchor" the stitch before beginning the toe graft. There isn't a lot of wet fiber to a sock to stress the seam. However, I will confess that my Type A, perfectionist, and slightly neurotic/obsessive view of such things skews to the "ounce of prevention" adage. If an additional stitch will prevent me for worrying about toe of my Opal sock, so much the better.

KnitPicks New Knitting Accessories

The intended to be quick scan of my email inbox yesterday morning was immediately derailed and launched into full-scale perusal mode upon discovery of the notification from Knit Picks that they have a new selection of accessories available. Blocking boards and blocking wires and stitch and ring markers and needle holders and other assorted essentials have been added to their inventory.

You would have thought that I had never heard of split ring stitch markers, blocking pins, or needle coils as I found myself stopping to click on and view each item in the accessories section. OK, I’ll admit, I didn’t click on the yarn cutter, but I did check the retractable 60” fiberglass measuring tape. (My daughter would be shaking her head but would not be surprised by that admission.)

The notions and accessories are very reasonably priced. Given Knit Picks ever-growing and well-deserved reputation for providing quality yarns and needles, I would assume their notions to be of good quality as well.

Country of origin was not listed in the information blurb about each item. I would assume China. Given China’s reputation for producing products containing mercury, lead, and other toxic contaminants, I would add to always use caution and consider the use when purchasing any product manufactured in China. A plastic ring slipped onto my knitting needle is one matter while a plastic toy for a child is another.

I will be purchasing the interlocking foam rubber blocking mats ($19.99) and the lace blocking wires ($19.99) and will give a review when I have received them. The yarn ball winder for $19.99 also piqued my interest.

I have a Lacis yarn ball winder. The base of the spindle cracked and split during its first usage. The personnel at Lacis were most un-helpful and downright defensive bordering on rude when queried as to whether or not it was possible to obtain a replacement spindle. They have seen no more of my money.

Now, I am off to peruse Knit Picks Organic Cotton Sport Yarn. 164 yds/50gm. Machine washable. Tumble dry low. Four colors. $2.49.