How to do the kitchener stitch - even if you don't have a darning needle (2 video tutorials)

Whether you are a novice or seasoned knitter, you know that most of the success of any piece comes down to learning the right method and using the right tools. Fortunately, some stitches can be completed with or without certain needles. How amazing is that?

Learning to do a particular stitch with or without certain needles can help shape you into a versatile knitter. Plus, it means that the work can continue even if you don't have all of the tools! Here, we'll take a look at how you can do the Kitchener stitch with or without a darning needle.

Judy Graham of knittingtipsbyjudy demonstrates how you can accomplish the Kitchener stitch with a darning needle. The trick here is to learn the appropriate pattern. The basic idea is to use the darning needle to alternate between knit-like and pearl-like stitches. Watch the video above for the how-to.

Wipinsanity offers a step-by-step guide for completing the Kitchener stitch without a darning needle. Rather, you use another knitting needle to work the pieces in and out. It's the same pattern, but this process shows that it can be accomplished without the needle. Watch the video above for the how-to.

The Kitchener stitch can be used to seamlessly bring fabric together to make some really beautiful items. Here are a couple to look at.

Knitting Daily shows just how great the Kitchener stitch is for creating socks. Can you see the seam? Neither can we!

Mittens are another creation that can easily be done with the Kitchener stitch. Hands Occupied offers this beautiful example to give you some inspiration for your next set of mittens.