I may have mentioned that I'm writing a sock knitting book. But what I probably have not mentioned, due to my extreme shame, is that I had avoided learning how to do the Kitchener Stitch, even though I knit socks continually, and have bluffed my way into being paid to write about the subject.
How did I manage that, you ask? I use the Star Toe for nearly all of my socks. The Star Toe is extremely simple (I ususally work with 6 repeats: *K8, K2 tog* etc) and it looks very nice. And there's none of that *grafting together quality* that I found so confusing in other toe styles.
But I figured, since I'm writing a book about it and all, that I should finally learn how to Kitchener. I found a website with instructions (and have since lost the link, but there are many) and good pics, and that walked me through my first try (which came off okay, with only a few tears and only once throwing the needles across the room). But I don't want to finish every single sock sitting at the computer, squinting at the screen.
Enter Girl on the Rocks, and her near-genius stitch markers with the instructions for the Kitchener Stitch right on them. Artistically, these stitch markers are adorable- well made and light (I hate heavy stitch markers), with no sharp or pointy edges to get caught on the needles or yarn. Practically, they're perfect- the #%$@&*! Kitchener Instructions right there in front of me for reference.
I am happy to say that I can now Kitchener right along with the competent sock knitters.
Girl on the Rocks also has other fantastic stitch markers- a set to remind you when to SSK and when to K2Tog (which I also own, though I have less trouble remembering that sequence), and many adorable decorative markers for non-decrease knitting.
The markers are available from:
p.s. don't be alarmed at the $39 price tag in the pic- that's a multiple set for a specific buyer. I think I paid $15 for mine.
This post had me in stitches! At 2 am on Christmas Eve I was frantically trying to finish knitting my daughter’s Christmas stocking, and the pattern said “Use Kitchener Stitch” and I was completely baffled. My husband looked it up on a knitting website on his handheld computer and read me the directions and between the 2 of us we were squinting at the small screen and trying to decipher how to do it with great chagrin. I don’t think I came near doing it correctly, but somehow we closed that toe! Am greatly encouraged to hear that it drove even a knitting expert like you to throw your needles across the room!
ReplyDeletePatty (from Taunton)
Oh! That's me! Thanks so much for all the nice words!
ReplyDeleteAnd yes the $39 are a special order for multiple markers. I have more kitchener markers and the price is still $15 including shipping.
I love that you would tell this. Thank you for making me feel better about not knowing every technique out there! After over twenty years of knitting, I still follow written out step-by-step instructions for Kitchener stitching the toes.
ReplyDeleteIs there anywhere I can find instructions/tutorial on how to do the star toe from the cuff down???
ReplyDeleteCarol
Feel free to pop by and drop a comment on my blog... thanx
Is there anywhere I can find instructions/tutorial on how to do the star toe from the cuff down???
ReplyDeleteCarol
Feel free to pop by and drop a comment on my blog... thanx
Carol- there is a freebie pattern for a worsted weight sock that uses the Star Toe on my blog. Here is the link- be sure to download both pattrn pages:
ReplyDeletehttp://kathleen-dakotadreams.blogspot.com/2007/09/freebie-friday-niblet-socks.html