Whit's Knits: A Better Bind Off Tutorial

 

In her DVD, A Knitting Glossary, Elizabeth Zimmerman very rightly points out that the common method of binding off is big-time unsatisfying. If it's tight enough to look neat, the edge is taught and inflexible. If it's loose enough to be elastic, the edge is lumpy and messy. Look...untidy!

Zimmerman demonstrates another method that she calls "Casting On/ Casting Off", so named because it ends up looking just like a long tail cast on. I think it's kind of a confusing name, so I'm calling it the Better Bind Off. You can use the Better Bind Off on any edge, but I'm showing it on a ribbed edge because I especially like this technique for neck and button bands.  

Zimmermann's DVD covers this and many other indispensable techniques for perfecting your knitting. You can find a copy for yourself here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

A Better Bind Off 

 

 

An important note is that this bind off is worked from left to right, the opposite of knitting. So, for flat knitting, do not turn the work over to begin. And for circular knitting, work back the way you just knit.

First cut a long tail, 3 or 4 times the length of the edge you're binding off, and thread it through a tapestry needle.

Allow the first 2 stitches off the knitting needle. Sew the tail through the 2 stitches (as if you're purling), right hand stitch first.

 

Gently pull the yarn through the two stitches.

Let the next stitch off the knitting needle, and sew the tail through it and the stitch just to the left of it (except for the first stitch, every stitch gets sewn twice).

And pull the yarn through. Repeat this to the end of the row or round, being sure to keep the tail up and out of the way.

 

You may need a little practice to get the tension right, but in the end you might have a new favorite bind off!  --Whitney

ps. The yarn used in this tutorial is Blue Sky Alpaca's Worsted, color pink; The background fabric is  Windham's Dargate Lavendar + Mint, color blue floral vine.

Comments

[clarice]

Oh thank you, I have always wondered if there were other ways to bind off. I will be trying this. Clarice

[Nancy]

I will have to try this. Thanks for posting

[Elizabeth]

Hm, this way looks different from the way I interpreted it from EZ. I start with the knitting on my left and sew toward the left, instead of the right, which is how it looks like you did it. I'll have to try it this way.

[pamela wynne]

wha?? have I been working EZ's sewn bind-off *backwards* all these years? [rushes off to crank out some swatches]

[Cate]

I am sorry to point out an error in your spelling because I really enjoy The Purl Bee and hate to criticize. But. It is TAUT, not *taught* in this context.

[Elizabeth]

Oh, wow. Now that I actually go back and look through an EZ book that I have, she has two bind offs. I though I misunderstood the directions, but turns out your way is just another way. Oops! I guess I'll have to keep this new one in mind now.

[Debra]

(Uhm, sounds like you "love" to critisize...) I love this bind off!!! It's my new fave! Thanks Purl Bee :)

[Lindsey]

Thanks for the tutorial! It was super helpful! I can't wait to try it.

[Abby]

ohhh too easy.... gotta try it...
thanx
luv Abby

[GettinKnittyWithIt]

Thanks. Looks so much better and a lot easier!

[jamesdotca]

Tried this new bind off and really liked it compared to the traditional knit n' slip bind off. However, the old way leaves you a handy loop through which to pull the tail and make a knot. This might sound really silly, but how can I make a (nice-looking) knot at the end of this bind off? Anyone with ideas?

J.

[Jeanette]

if you are working in the round, sew through the first stitch once more when you get to the end, and it makes a nice neat ending.

[monica]

I just tried this bind-off on a pair of toe-up socks, and I love it! Excellent tutorial - as usual!

[Stacey_CrimsonPurl]

Thank you for this informative post.

This priceless DVD is now on my wishlist!!

[Debbie]

Great photo tutorial. Will have to try this method

[Julia]

I just used the bind off. A question- If I had to get one EZ book/DVD, which one would you recommend? It'll be my reference book.

[TraZee]

Ooh, thanks for this. It's brilliant. Can't wait to try it since I almost always use the long-tail cast-on (my fave). It will be nice to have a bind off to match it.

[Barbara]

This was a fantastic find for a cardigan sweater that is knit "around" so that the cast on edge and the bind off edge are the two front edgess of the sweater. The instructions just called for a knitted bind off but it looked so obviously different from the cast on edge that I didn't want to use it. So glad this method is explained. Many thanks!

[Shayla Myst]

This is an awesome bind-off. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.

[Heather]

Thanks for posting this! I've been using it as my main bind off on all my projects. I have it linked in a pattern I posted on my blog, if that's alright :)