The Basic Bind Off

You’ve finished your first knitting project and now it’s time to bind off the piece. In this video, Jen Lucas demonstrates how to do a traditional knitwise bind off.

Follow these steps to work this knitwise basic bind off:
1. Knit 2 stitches (2 stitches on right needle)
2. Insert the left needle into the first stitch (the right-most stitch) on the right needle
3. Pass the first stitch over the second stitch (1 stitch remains on right needle)
4. Knit 1 stitch (2 stitches on right needle)

Repeat steps 2 – 4, ending with step 3 with one stitch remaining on the right needle. Cut the yarn, leaving an approximately 6-inch tail. Fasten off by pulling the yarn through the final loop.

When working this bind off, it’s important to keep the stitches loose. Some knitters use a larger needle to complete the bind off to keep the final edge from being too tight.