Guide to Knitting, Part 3: Binding Off
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!
There it is! (my part-time Editor’s cap, found it.) Here we go now Bethany. In the first paragraph, you refer to “how to knit the first row” and you probably meant part 2 not part 3?
I know it’s a ‘nit’ (hahaha)….but it makes an excuse for a comment. And we all love comments, right?
I’m working on knitting a sock and it keeps turning inside out while I’m working through the 1, 2, 3 steps. I have to go back and start over smoothing down the continuous loop so I can keep my place in the process. Maybe crochet is more my speed, something about the two needles and the rows keeps getting me confused. Would it work OK to just stick to crochet or is there an advantage to the knit move/step?
HELP!! I am having tons of troubling “binding off” I am knitting a v-neck sweater. I am using two skeins of yarn. I need to bind off four stitches at the V. I knit to the V and bind off 4 stitches. Then, when I try to find off the second section, the yarn ends up to the right of the stitches. Does that make sense? I don’t know if I explained it very well. I have had to throw away so many parts of sweaters because of the problem. I wish I could draw a picture. You would know exactly what I mean. In the middle of the piece, by the V, is the yarn and then to the left are the four stitches that I bound off, and then the rest of the piece that I am supposed to knit, but the yarn is separated. What am I doing wrong????????? Thanks!!