Binding off (UK knitters call it casting off) is how you take your stitches off the needle so they do not unravel. It is the last step of almost every knitting project, and the edge you choose changes how the piece looks and stretches.
In this guide you will learn four bind offs every knitter should know: the basic bind off, binding off in pattern, a stretchy bind off for necklines and socks, and the three-needle bind off for joining seams. Each one is explained step by step, with a quick table to help you pick the right one.
What You’ll Need
- A knitted swatch or project still on the needles
- A needle one or two sizes larger than your project needle (optional)
- An extra needle the same size, for the three-needle bind off
- Sharp scissors
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Locking stitch markers
Which Bind Off Should You Use?
| Bind off | Stretch | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Basic (knit) bind off | Low | Scarves, dishcloths, blankets, flat edges |
| Bind off in pattern | Medium | Ribbed cuffs, collars, purl rows |
| Stretchy (suspended or Jeny’s style) | High | Hat brims, sock cuffs, neck openings, toe-up socks |
| Three-needle bind off | Low, very sturdy | Shoulder seams, joining two pieces, pillow covers |
Way 1: The Basic Bind Off
This is the one you will use most. It makes a neat chain along the top edge.
Step 1: Knit the first 2 stitches. You now have 2 stitches on the right needle.
Step 2: Put the left needle tip into the first stitch you knit (the one farther from the tip of the right needle).
Step 3: Lift that stitch over the second stitch and off the right needle. One stitch is bound off and 1 stitch remains on the right needle.
Step 4: Knit 1 more stitch. You have 2 stitches on the right needle again.
Step 5: Repeat Steps 2 to 4 until only 1 stitch is left on the right needle and the left needle is empty.
Step 6: Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Pull the tail through the last loop and tug gently to close it.
The most common problem with the basic bind off is a tight edge that pulls in. The easy fix: work the whole bind off row with a needle one or two sizes larger. Only the right needle needs to be bigger.
Way 2: Bind Off in Pattern (Knit and Purl)
When your last row is ribbing or purl stitches, bind off the way the stitches look. Knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches. The edge stays smooth and stretches more than a plain knit bind off.
Step 1: Work the first 2 stitches as they appear: knit a knit stitch, purl a purl stitch.
Step 2: Lift the first stitch on the right needle over the second, just like the basic bind off.
Step 3: Work the next stitch as it appears.
Step 4: Lift the previous stitch over it.
Step 5: Repeat to the end and fasten off.
Tip: when you purl a stitch, the yarn comes to the front. Move it to the back before you lift the stitch over, or you will get an extra loop.
Way 3: A Stretchy Bind Off for Hats and Socks
Hat brims, sock cuffs and necklines need to stretch over heads and heels. A plain bind off often snaps or feels tight. This stretchy version, often called the suspended bind off, adds give without any special tricks.
Step 1: Knit 2 stitches.
Step 2: Lift the first stitch over the second, but do not drop it off the left needle tip. Keep it hanging on the left needle.
Step 3: Knit the next stitch on the left needle, then let both the held stitch and the new stitch slide off the left needle together.
Step 4: You have 2 stitches on the right needle again. Repeat Steps 2 and 3.
Step 5: When 1 stitch remains on the left needle, lift the previous stitch over and drop it, knit the last stitch, lift over, and fasten off.
For even more stretch, especially on toe-up socks, try Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off, which adds a yarn over before each stitch. It takes a little longer but gives an edge that stretches as much as a long-tail cast on.
Way 4: The Three-Needle Bind Off
This bind off joins two pieces of knitting while it binds them off, so you skip sewing a seam. It is great for sweater shoulders and the last side of a pillow cover.
Step 1: Hold the two pieces on two separate needles with the same number of stitches on each. Place the right sides facing each other (wrong sides facing out), needle tips pointing the same way.
Step 2: Take a third needle in your right hand. Insert it knitwise into the first stitch on the front needle and then into the first stitch on the back needle.
Step 3: Knit these two stitches together as one. You have 1 stitch on the right needle.
Step 4: Repeat Steps 2 and 3 with the next pair. You now have 2 stitches on the right needle.
Step 5: Lift the first stitch over the second, just like the basic bind off.
Step 6: Keep knitting pairs together and lifting over until 1 stitch remains. Fasten off.
Turn the piece right side out and you have a firm, neat seam on the inside.
How to Fix the Last Loose Stitch
Many knitters notice the last stitch of a bind off is big and floppy. Before you fasten off, try this: when 1 stitch remains on the right needle, slip the stitch below it (in the row underneath) onto the left needle, knit it together with the last stitch, then fasten off. Weaving the tail toward the corner also neatens it.
Common Mistakes (and How to Fix Them)
- Edge pulls in or curls. Your bind off is tighter than the fabric. Rip it back to the last row and bind off again with a larger needle, or use the stretchy bind off.
- Edge flares out. You went too loose or used a needle that is far too big. Go down a size and keep an even pull on the yarn.
- Stitches unravel after cutting the yarn. The tail was not pulled through the final loop. Thread it through with a tapestry needle and tug snug.
- Extra loops on a rib bind off. The yarn stayed in front after a purl stitch. Move it to the back before lifting the stitch over.
- Three-needle seam on the outside. The pieces were held wrong sides together. Undo it and hold right sides together instead, unless you want a visible decorative ridge.
Tips
- Always leave at least a 6-inch tail so you can weave it in securely.
- If a pattern says “bind off loosely,” switch to a needle 2 sizes larger for the bind off row.
- Try your bind off on a small swatch first when a project needs real stretch, like a top-down sweater neckline.
- Bind off in the color you want to see along the edge; it forms a tiny chain on the right side.
- If you lose track of what an abbreviation like “BO” means, check our knitting abbreviations chart for beginners.
FAQ
Is binding off the same as casting off?
Yes. “Bind off” is the common US term and “cast off” is the UK term for the exact same thing. Both mean securing your live stitches and taking them off the needle so the knitting cannot unravel. You will see BO in US patterns and sometimes “cast off” in British ones.
Why is my bind off so tight?
Most knitters pull harder when they lift stitches over, which shrinks the edge. Use a needle one or two sizes larger for the bind off row, relax your hands, and check that the edge stretches as much as the fabric below it. For ribbing, bind off in pattern instead of knitting every stitch.
Which bind off is the stretchiest?
Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off is a favorite for toe-up socks and wide ribbing, because the extra yarn overs give a lot of give. The suspended bind off is a simpler option that still stretches well for hats and necklines. Both take a bit more yarn, so leave a longer tail.
Pick one bind off from this list and practice it on your next swatch, and every project will finish a little neater.