Skeinspotting

Kitchener Stitch & Twisted Cords

This is a brief explanation of how to close the toe on a sock using Kitchener stitch. It is mainly to support the pattern Las Calacas Danzantes recently published in The Anticraft Samhain 2008 issue. Also attached is a wordy explanation of how to make twisted cords which are useful for bags, hair ties and even a cord for a light switch/pull.



I have also made a playlist on the ErssieKnits YouTube channel of people demonstrating this method. Click on Playlists in the menu on channel

Closing the Toe – Kitchener Stitch

This method is the best way of grafting the stitches so that they are continuous around the toe with no seam therefore less rubbing. It is very easy to do but needs concentration and should be done all in one sitting.

Arrange so that top of foot sts are on one dpn, and bottom of foot sts are on another dpn with the yarn tail on the bottom RH side

Hold the 2 needles parallel to each other with the yarn tail at the back right hand side

Thread yarn through a darning needle

Thread yarn/needle through 1 st on front needle P-wise and leave st on needle

Thread yarn/needle through 1 st on back needle K-wise leave st on needle

*Thread yarn/needle through next st on front needle K- wise and take st off needle

Thread yarn/needle through next st on front needle P-wise and leave st on needle

Thread yarn/needle through next st on back needle P-wise take off st off needle

Thread yarn/needle through next st on back needle K-wise and leave st on needle

Rpt from * until all sts have been taken of the needles, then take yarn tail through to wrong side of toe on the inside of sock and secure

Twisted Cords (see also the slide show below)

Cut equal lengths of yarn (enough so that doubled up it is thick enough and much longer than you need for your cord)

Make sure that the yarn is ties into long continuous loops. You can place two chairs about 5 foot apart and wind the yarn around the top/knobs of the chair back if you wish, or turn chairs upside down and use legs. Ask a partner to help you if you can.

Place one end of loop yarns over door handle, chair post, or chair leg.or other person
Insert a pencil, pen or dpn into all loops at opposite end
Pull taught and twist yarn by spinning a pencil/pen/dpn
Keep twisting until yarn is so tight it is almost pulling back on itself

Slide a finger half way along length of twisted yarn still keeping end taught

Fold yarn/twist in half and put loop/pencil/pen/dpn together with loop over door handle (post or leg)
Let go of finger holding halfway mark and allow yarn twist on itself
Tie knots at the beginning and end of the cord to secure the twisted strands and cut below the knot to give it a small tassel Thread each cord through band of eyelet holes or use as desired

How To Make Twisted Cord

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own. (tags: tutorial handmade)