Binding Off - A Beginner's Guide

Binding off is working a stitch to close it off when it will no longer be worked. This will be either at the end of a piece of work or may be as part of a decrease, e.g. the neck line of a jumper or the thumb hole of a mitten.

Standard Bind Off

The standard bind off is worked on a single row of live stitches. 

Step 1: Knit the first two stitches, you will now hat two stitches on the right hand needle (RHN)

Step 2: Insert your left hand needle (LHN) into the second stitch on the RHN and pull this over the first stitch. You will now have one stitch on the RHN.

Step 3: Knit one from the LHN, you will now have two stitches on the RHN.

Step 4: repeat Step 2

Repeat Steps 3 & 4 until all of your stitches have been worked and you have just one stitch remaining on your RHN. 

Cut your yarn and pull through the remaining stitch to secure.

You are now ready to weave in your loose end with a blunt needle. 

Alternatives

The standard bind off can be worked in a pattern to make the final row of stitches consistent with the rest of the piece, e.g. in rib stitch