Knitting Bind Off: Easy Step-by-Step Guide for Beginners
- anouskaiap
- Aug 28
- 5 min read
If you’ve just finished knitting your first project, you might be wondering how to finish it neatly. This step is called the knitting cast off or bind off, and it secures your stitches so your work doesn’t unravel.
In this guide, I’ll cover:
What Does “Bind Off” or “Cast Off” Mean in Knitting?
Binding off or casting off is the process of securing your live stitches into a firm edge at the end of a project. Of course without it, your knitting would quickly unravel.
The Craft Yarn Council lists casting off as one of the essential beginner skills, right alongside casting on and learning knit and purl stitches. Once you know this technique, you’ll be able to finish scarves, dishcloths, sweaters, and more.
And the difference between bind off and cast off? In terms of technique, there is none. 'Cast off' is the UK-English equivalent of the more globally-used term 'bind off'. In this post, I will therefore, be using them interchangeably.
When to Use the Basic Knitting Bind Off
The most common method that is often taught in beginner classes is the K1, SKSO cast off. It’s simple, requires no extra tools, and gives a neat finish.
This basic cast off works well for:
Scarves and other flat projects
Dishcloths, cowls, and blankets
Beginner sweaters and tops (unless you need a very stretchy edge)
For ribbing, cuffs, or necklines, a stretchy cast off like the tubular bind off or other stretchy bind off techniques will give you bett
er results.
How to Bind Off in Knitting (Step by Step)
Follow these steps for the basic knitted cast off / bind off and be sure to watch the video below:
Knit one stitch as usual.
Knit the next stitch. You now have two stitches on your right-hand needle.
Using your left needle tip, lift the first stitch over the second and off the needle. You’ll now be left with one stitch.
Tip: To do this, be sure to hold the stitch closest to the tip of your needle 'tight' or 'firm' because you may otherwise push it off the needle tip accidentally.
Continue steps one through 3 until on one stitch remains on your right-hand needle.
Cut your yarn end, pull it through the last stitch, and tighten.
Tip no. 1: Before tying off the last stitch, by pulling your yarn end through the final stitch loop, step back and look at your full cast off edge. Ask yourself if you like it and if you're happy with it. If not, it's easier to undo now than later!
Tip no.2: When cutting the end of your yarn, be sure to leave a tail so that you have a length of yarn to weave in the ends with. Never trim the tail next to the 'knot' you have created, over time it will loosen and unravel.
Congratulations! You’ve now secured your edge with the most common knitted cast off technique (or bind off technique) for beginners.
Common Beginner Problems & How to Fix Them
As with every thing, knitting has a learning curve and getting the hang of fundamental techniques like the knitted cast off helps pave the way to more complex techniques for your future projects. Here are some of the common questions that beginners encounter when working their cast off edge:
How can I stop my bind off being too tight?
Fix number 1: Try using a larger right-hand needle when binding off, e.g. go up by 1mm so if you're working on a 4.5mm, use a 5.5mm instead.
Fix number 2: Loosen up on your knit stitches a bit. That way if your stitch tightens when you slip it over to cast it off, it won't pull as tight.
Fix number 3: If you have the dexterity, consider holding the cast off edge taut to keep those stitches stretched out as you go. This will stop each stitch progressively tightening the edge as you go.
How can I stop my bind off being too loose?
Fix number 1: Use a smaller right-hand needle when binding off, I recommend going down by 0.5mm if you have the other needle size available. Any more, and it might become overly tight.
Fix number 2: Tighten up your knit stitch before you move on to knit the next. A light tug on the yarn end should do the trick!
If I don't like it, can I undo a bind off edge? The answer in knitting is always yes, you can!
If you followed my tip above (Before tying off the last stitch, by pulling your yarn end through the final stitch loop, step back and look at your full cast off edge. Ask yourself if you like it and if you're happy with it. If not, it's easier to undo now than later!) then you can simply unravel the edge and put the stitches back on the left-hand needle and try again.
If you have tied off that last stitch, you will need to cut into the cast-off edge with a pair of scissors and unravel. Then to re-work your bind-off edge, you will need to unravel one row back again, put those stitches onto your left-hand needle and re-work your cast off. If you try with the row you previously cast off on, you will run out of yarn. Remember, you cut it shorter to undo the edge!
Why is my cast off edge uneven?
This is a matter of knitting tension and muscle memory. My best suggestion?practise on a swatch until your tension feels consistent or start out with smaller projects, like these Knit + Purl washcloths, that help your tension become more consistent over time and give you repeated practice of stitch types and casting on and binding off!
Mastering the basic knitting cast off is a milestone for every beginner because it’s the moment your project truly comes off the needles and becomes something finished you can use or gift. The K1, SKSO method is simple, reliable, and versatile enough for most flat projects, making it the perfect place to start. As you keep practising, your edges will become neater and your tension more consistent, and you’ll start to feel confident finishing any piece of knitting you take on.
From here, you might want to practise this cast off on small, practical projects like the previously mentioned knitted washcloths, or explore other techniques that give you stretchier or more decorative edges.
What to Learn Next
Once you’re confident with the basic cast off, try these other beginner-essential tutorials:
If you're on the look out for a few more beginner knitting patterns, check out these:
Wanna keep building your knitting skills? Explore more of my beginner tutorials and patterns, or join me on Instagram for daily tips and inspiration.
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