Fragments Clue 17- Grafting

Hi Friends!  We've made it!  Can you believe nearly a month ago, we started this journey together?  I am so glad that you joined me to knit along!  

Today is the first of our two finishing clues.  We will start by grafting the two pieces together using a technique called Kitchener stitch.

Grafting is a handy task to learn because it allows you to join two pieces of work, seamlessly, while the stitches are still "live’’ rather than after they have been bound off.  Grafting can be done either with stockinette or garter stitches and the technique is different for both.  The tutorial I like to use can be found here.  The illustrations in this article are for stockinette stitch, and since we are going to be grafting in garter stitch, I have made a photo tutorial for you to follow. 

If you are grafting for the first time, or need a refresher, PLEASE do this during a quiet moment when you will be most likely to finish it in one sitting without interruption (the process shouldn’t take you any longer than 30 minutes if it’s your first time).  The worst thing would be for you to set it down and not remember where you are when you pick it back up.  The first couple of stitches in this grafting sequence will seem a little strange at first, but there is a rhythm to it that you’ll soon pick up.

I’ve done both a photo tutorial as well as an abbreviated written version to follow.  When I graft, I like to look at the pictures first to orient myself, but find that the words carry me through once I’ve started.  

For this project, and really any time you’re grafting, you want your graft to match the tension of your knitting.  It’s kinda like Goldilocks, you don’t want it too loose nor too tight, but just right.  I’ve found that if your grafting is too loose it is way easier to fix than if it is too tight, however the best option would to get it to be as close as possible.  How do you achieve this?  Look at your knitting as you go.  Grafting is seamless , so your graft should look exactly like your knitting.  You don’t want the graft to pucker in (too tight) or out (too loose) so keep an eye out.  I recommend pulling the stitches through until they meet, but not so they are snug. 

After you graft the piece together, there will be another post on how to block your work as well as some follow up info.  Take your time and enjoy the process!

THINGS YOU'LL NEED

Take the tail of yarn from the second half of your scarf and cut a length at least three times the length of your knitting (3-4 feet of yarn should do).

A darning needle or other large eyed needle.  The same as you’d use for sewing in ends. 

PREPARE FOR THE GRAFTING!

Thread stitches from stitch holder onto your spare needle with the working yarn facing in- toward the inside of the needle (yup- opposite of what you'd normally do).  This will be your back needle. 

Thread your darning needle with tail of the front needle. 

Hold the two halves of your scarf wrong sides together with the tips of the needles pointing to the right.

Insert the darning needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to purl and thread the yarn through.   

Then, insert the needle into the first stitch of the back needle as if to purl and pull the yarn through.  Make the stitches snug but NOT tight. Take care not to ‘’create’’ extra loops by looping the yarn over the needles.  

KITCHENER STITCH:

1- FRONT NEEDLE: Insert the needle into the first stitch on the front needle as if to knit and slip that stitch off the needle.

2- FRONT NEEDLE: Insert the needle into the next stitch on the front needle as if to purl, pull the yarn through but leave the stitch on the needle.

3- BACK NEEDLE: Insert the needle into the first stitch on the back needle as if to knit and slip that stitch off the needle.

4- BACK NEEDLE: Insert the needle into the next stitch on the back needle as if to purl, pull the yarn through but leave the stitch on the needle.

Repeat these four steps until you come to the final stitch on each needle.  Thread the needle through the front stitch as if to knit and slip it off the needle.  Then thread the needle through the stitch on the back needle as if to knit and slip it off the needle. 

To correct a graft that is too tight:

Tug the two sides of your knitting away from each other.

 To correct a graft that is too loose:

Tug the end of your sewing yarn to tighten.

 You can manipulate that thread until your sewing looks right. 

Sew in all ends. 

Abbreviated Instructions:

1.       FRONT NEEDLE: Knit and slip off the needle

2.       FRONT NEEDLE: Purl and leave on the needle

3.       BACK NEEDLE: Knit and slip off the needle

4.       BACK NEEDLE: Purl and leave on the needle

I hope your grafting goes well.  See you tomorrow for blocking!