Monica Knits

In preparation for the bind off for reversible knitting or the Kitchener rib, the stitches are transferred from the single needle to 2 dpns and one extra row (green in the image to the left) is knitted. This leaves the reverse side (orange) with one fewer row than the green face. The Kitchener bind off will add a row of stitching (orange), so both the front and reverse faces will again be the same length. Read more ....

Prepare Reversible Knitting for Kitchener Stitch Bind Off

1. The stitches are transferred from a single needle to 2 dpns. The green stitches are on the front needle and the orange on the back needle.
2. Knit one additional green row.
3. The orange tail (3 x the width of the seam) is used for the Kitchener stitch bind off. This creates an orange row of stitching, restoring a balanced number of rows to each face.
4. In preparation for the bind off, the needles are placed parallel to each other, with the stocking stitch sides facing outwards (purl sides together.)
5. Follow the instructions for the regular Kitchener stitch below.

Kitchener Stitch

1. Kitchener Stitch Set-up
   Purlwise
   1. Position the needles so that the yarn tail comes out to the right, from the rear needle. The needles are held close together, parallel to each other and the table.
   2. Insert the darning needle purlwise in the first stitch of the front needle and draw the yarn through. Leave the stitch on the needle.

   Knitwise

   3. Insert the darning needle knitwise in the first stitch of the rear needle and draw the yarn through. Leave the stitch on the needle.

2. Kitchener Stitch Repeat Pattern
   Knitwise
   1. Insert the darning needle knitwise in the first stitch of the front needle, draw the yarn through, and slip the stitch off the knitting needle.
   2. Insert the darning needle purlwise in the next stitch of the front needle. Draw the yarn through, but leave the stitch on the knitting needle.

   Purlwise

   3. Insert the darning needle purlwise in the first stitch of the rear needle, draw the yarn through, and slip the stitch off the knitting needle.
   4. Insert the darning needle knitwise in the next stitch of the rear needle. Draw the yarn through, but leave the stitch on the knitting needle.

   Done

3. Repeat the 4 steps of the Kitchener Stitch Repeat Pattern until all stitches have been worked and no stitches remain on the knitting needles. Tighten the stitches as you go, matching the tension of the knitting.
4. Weave in the yarn tails. The illustrations on the right show a sock toe bind off, which is why you see the tapered end.

Related Posts
Kitchener Rib Cast On
Kitchener Rib, First Row of Stitching
Basic Top Down Sock - Kitchener Stitch (Grafting Toes) .