How to Bind Off Stitches
- Also try: How to Knit
Guide Note: How to Bind Off Stitches will walk you through successfully finishing your knitting project.
How to Bind Off Stitches
- When your project is finished it is time remove the knitting from the needles and secure the last row of "live" stitches (loops on the needle). This is called binding off (or casting off) the stitches.
- Knit two stitches as you normally would.
- Insert the left needle into the first loop you knit (farthest right)
- Stretch the loop a bit if needed.
- Pass the right loop over the left loop and slide it off the left needle.
- One loop will remain on the right needle. Continue knitting one stitch and repeat passing the right loop over the left stitch on the right needle.
- Continue until there is one loop remaining.
- Stretch the loop just a bit.
- Cut the working yarn with a few inches remaining.
- Thread the tail back through the loop.
- Pull the loop snuggly closed.
- Thread the tail through a needle and sew in the end to hide and secure the yarn.
- Repeat for the tail.
- If you don't see the slide show below, please visit this page to view the related images.
VideoJug: How To Cast Off |
- Stitch Diva Studios also has more advice on how to bind off.
- For more knitting tips and how to instructions, please visit Mahalo's How to Knit.
Resources for How to Bind Off Stitches
- About.com: Learn to Knit | Beginner's Project: Garter Stitch Square
- Better Homes and Gardens: Knitting 101 | Knitting 102
- HowStuffWorks: How to Knit | Knitting Instructions
- Lion Brand Yarn: Learn to Knit
- Stitch Diva Studios: Knitting Tutorial
Related Searches
How to Knit | Knitting | How to Do the Knit Stitch | How to Long Tail Cast On | Crocheting | How to Crochet
Have any great tips on How to Bind Off Stitches? Post your thoughts to the discussion board or email them to Sara: sara at mahalo dot com.


