Find out How to Bind Off Knitting and more about it in this informative guide with details regarding binding off.
Binding off is the final step in knitting. You use your working yarn and knitting needles to loop stitches over each other until only one stitch remains. This creates a secure edge that won’t come undone. Think of it as tying the last knot in a piece of string. Here you will learn everything about bind off.
When Should You Bind Off?
You bind off when your project has reached the correct length or size. It is usually the last row you knit before removing the work from your needles. For example, if you are knitting a scarf and have completed the final row, the next step will be to bind off.
Is it Bind Off or Cast Off?
“Bind off” and “cast off” mean the same thing. In the UK, people usually say “cast off,” and in the United States, people usually say “bind off.”
Types of Bind Offs
- The basic or standard bind-off method
- The stretchy bind off
- The sewn bind-off method
- The three-needle bind-off method
- The i-cord bind off
Materials You Need
- Your knitting project is still on the needles
- Your working yarn is attached
- A pair of knitting needles (the same ones you used for the project)
- A yarn needle or scissors to cut and weave in the end
Step-by-Step Guide to the Basic Bind Off
- Knit the first two stitches on your left needle as you normally would.
- Lift the first stitch you knitted over the second stitch and off the right needle.
- Knit one more stitch from the left needle.
- Repeat the process of lifting the first stitch on your right needle over the second stitch until you reach the end of the row.
- Cut the yarn when only one stitch is left, leaving a tail of about 6 inches (15 cm).
- Pull the yarn through the last stitch to secure it.
- You now have a neat, finished edge.
Tips for a Smooth Bind Off
Keep your tension even as pulling too tight will make the edge stiff, while knitting too loosely can make it floppy. Try to match your style: If you knit loosely, bind off a little tighter. If you knit tightly, bind off more loosely.
Use larger needles for the bind-off row if your edges tend to curl or feel too tight.
Other Binding Off Methods
- Stretchy Bind Off: It is great for socks, hats, or anything that needs flexibility.
- Purl Bind Off: This method works well for projects that end on a purl row.
- Picot Bind Off: It adds a decorative edge, perfect for lace projects.
