How to Bind Off Knitting: 7 Steps for Total Beginners

Steps

1. 1. Knit the First Two Stitches

   Start at the beginning of a fresh row. Knit the first stitch the way you normally would, then knit the second one.

   

2. 2. Lift the First Stitch Over the Second

   Use the tip of your left needle to dig under the first stitch on the right needle (the one closer to the body of your work). Lift it up, bring it over the second stitch, and let it drop off the end of the right needle.

   

3. 3. Knit One More, Lift Over Again

   You've got one stitch on the right needle. You need two before you can leapfrog again.

   Tip: Always count: two stitches on the right needle, never more, never less. If you ever see three, you skipped a leapfrog somewhere.

   

4. 4. Repeat Across the Row

   Settle into the rhythm. Knit one.

   Tip: Knit loosely while you bind off. A tight bind off pulls the top edge in and makes scarves and blankets look puckered. If your edge feels stiff, ease up on the tension.

   

5. 5. Bind Off the Last Stitch

   Eventually you'll work down to the very last stitch on the left needle. Knit that one onto the right needle so you've got two stitches sitting there.

   

6. 6. Cut the Yarn

   Pull the last loop up to make it a little bigger so it doesn't tighten while you work. Pick up your scissors and snip the working yarn, leaving a tail of about 6 to 10 inches.

   

7. 7. Pull the Tail Through to Lock It

   Slide your needle out of the last loop. Take the tail end you just cut and feed it through that loop.

   Tip: Weave the tail through the back of the bound-off ridge for a couple inches, then double back the other way.