Learn how to cast off (also known as bind off) knitwise to end your knitting projects!
So, do you call it cast off or bind off? I actually almost always said “cast off” and then I researched this post about what the difference between cast off and bind off actually IS and was surprised because what I call it is not what one would expect!
Who knows? I learned to knit from a black and white pamphlet, I guess whoever wrote that must have also said “cast off”. I also think it makes more sense because we also CAST on but I guess that’s a controversial conversation for another day, ha!
Binding off (or casting off) is simply the method of finishing a knitting project so that the stitches don’t unravel. There are lots of fancy bind off methods, but today we are talking about the most common and most basic way to bind off only regular old knit stitches.
Why do you need to bind off?
Knitting is different from crochet in that, while you are working on a project, you have an entire edge (row or round) made up of “live” stitches. A live stitch is one that, if you were to remove your knitting needle, would unravel on its own.
(If that happens in the middle of a row, you have a dropped stitch and I show you how to fix that here!)
Crochet only has one live stitch which makes it much easier to finish.
In order to complete a knitting project you have to somehow secure all of those live stitches across the edge so that they won’t unravel and you can wear or use your knitting project. That is called binding off or casting off.
When do you cast off your knitting project?
Most often you cast off or bind off your knitting project when it’s complete!
However, sometimes you will run across instructions in a knitting pattern that include binding off some stitches within a row or round as part of the shaping (like for a bootie ) or for something else like a buttonhole or the handle of a tote bag.
How do you bind off/cast off?
Honestly, this technique could not be easier not more necessary to learn. If you can knit, then you can cast off. I promise.
- To bind off knit stitches, start with the yarn behind your work, knit 2 stitches as you normally would
- Using the tip of your left needle (or your fingers) lift the first stitch up and over the second stitch and off the right knitting needle. You have cast off one stitch.
- To bind off more stitches, repeat steps 3 & 4 until you have used all of the stitches on the left knitting needle and have only one stitch left on the right needle. Then cut the yarn and pull it through that stitch to finish.
Be sure to watch the video in this post to see my bind off knit stitches!
How To Bind Off Knit Stitches
Learn how to finish your knitting project and bind off knit stitches!
Materials
Tools
Instructions
- To bind off knit stitches, start with the yarn behind your work, knit 2 stitches as you normally would
- Using the tip of your left needle (or your fingers) lift the first stitch up and over the second stitch and off the right knitting needle. You have cast off one stitch.
- To bind off more stitches, repeat steps 3 & 4 until you have used all of the stitches on the left knitting needle and have only one stitch left on the right needle. Then cut the yarn and pull it through that stitch to finish.
Notes
Watch the video to see how to bind off in action!
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Halimatu Sadiya Yakubu says
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