Binding Off

June 1, 2022

So you’ve learned how to cast on as well as how to knit the first row. You’ve practiced each step several times to ensure that you’re ready to move on. Perhaps knitting is even slowly but surely becoming one of your all-time favorite hobbies. If not, it will be soon! (Or at least we hope so). This article covers the next step after knitting the first row, which is called “binding off.” Binding off is what you do to complete the first block you’ve created (see part 2 of the series, how to knit the first row). The good news is that after mastering casting on and knitting the first row, binding off is a piece of cake.

Here’s how to do it.

Step 1:

Knit 2 stitches. Insert the left needle into stitch 1 and pull it over stitch 2, making sure the yarn is off the needle entirely. You will note that the first stitch has now been “bound off.”

Step 2:

Knit yet another stitch, once again inserting your left needle into stitch 1 and pulling it over the new stitch and off the needle. You have bound the second stitch.

Step 3:

Repeat steps 1 and 2 across the entire row, leaving only 1 stitch unbound. Next, cut the yarn, leaving a tail of about 5 or 6″.

Step 4:

Insert the needle into the remaining stitch to finish it off. Continue weaving the yarn into several stitches until it is completely secure.

Once this is finished, you have both completed and “bound off” your first row. Oftentimes the first steps are the most difficult. Once you have completed Steps 1-3 of our knitting guides, you are well on your way to becoming a knitting expert (or at least being able to complete your first project). Congrats!