How To Bind Off Knitting For Total Beginners (Cast Off)
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.In this post, you will learn how to bind off knitting for total beginners (cast off step by step).
Once you have learned the knitting basics, such as how to cast on, knit, and purl, you will need to know how to cast off or bind off your work from the needles.
No matter what you are making, from an easy baby blanket to a complicated sweater, you must cast off your work to finish the knitting project.
Is Bind Off The Same As Cast Off?
In any knitting pattern that you follow, when you have finished that last row, the pattern will tell you to bind off or cast off.
This has the same meaning.
You can knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches, just as you were working in the main pattern instructions.
When you cast off the stitches you do so with whatever stitch you are using.
Cast Off Meaning
This is another essential to know as a beginner knitter, how to cast off knitting (also known as binding off) your work.
- To cast off stitches, start by knitting two stitches.
- With your left needle select the first stitch you knit on the right needle (the bottom one) and pull it over the second stitch (the top one).
- Repeat this until you have no stitches left and you will have a neat edge along your work.
- Casting off is a way to take the working stitches off your needle, create a nice finished edge and stop the stitches from unraveling.
How Do You Cast Off In Knitting?
You will see step-by-step instructions below – a photo tutorial and a video tutorial.
To practice, you will need a pair of straight knitting needles and yarn (in this tutorial, I use super bulky yarn and 9 mm/US 13 needles).
You will also need a knitted swatch in garter stitch around 4×4 inches (10×10 cm) ready to cast off.
You can view the video tutorial on my YouTube channel here.
Time needed: 1 hour and 20 minutes
How To Bind Off Knitting (Cast Off)
- Step 1 – Start by knitting (or purling) the first two stitches on your row.
In this tutorial, I am using a piece of knitting that has been knit in garter stitch (every row is knit).
I am working on a right-side row with the right side of the work facing me.
You can see below that I have knit the first two stitches.
- Step 2 – Pull the first stitch over the second
When you have the two knitted stitches on your right-hand needle, use the tip of your left needle to pull the first knitted stitch over the second stitch and over the tip of the right-hand needle (as you can see in the next step).
- Step 3 – Slide the stitch off the right-hand needle.
Slide that stitch off the right-hand needle (using the left-hand needle) so that you are left with one stitch.
- Step 4 – One stitch left to work with
This will leave you with one stitch (the second stitch that you knit) on the right-hand needle.
- Step 5 – Work into the next stitch on the left-hand needle.
Knit (or purl) the next stitch (the third stitch) and repeat steps 2 and 3.
Do this until you have no stitches of the row on the left-hand needle and one stitch remains on the right-hand needle. - Step 6 – Secure the end when you have finished casting off.
Once you have cast off your last stitch, break yarn/cut the yarn so that you have a few inches of the yarn tail.
(For a project like a sleeve you may need to leave a long tail if needed for stitching up any seams).
Place the end of the yarn through the loop and pull tight.
This secures the yarn so that the stitches will not come out.
Weave in the loose end with a darning needle/yarn needle.
And you successfully completed your first bind-off!
Repeat steps 1-6 anytime you want to cast off a project in a simple way.
Are You New To Knitting?
Take a look at this list of knitting tutorials for beginners…
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Knitting lessons
- How to cast on knitting
- How to knit garter stitch
- How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
- How to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)
- How to knit seed stitch for beginners
- How to read knitting patterns for beginners
- Knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)
- How to knit rib stitch patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing)
- The mattress stitch – how to seam knitting
- Knitted dishcloth patterns free (best for beginners)
Bind Off FAQ
What is the best way to cast off in knitting?
The knitwise method is the most common way to cast off. (This is what you just learned in the tutorial above).
To cast off knitwise, you will need to knit the first two stitches on your needle as normal.
Then, use your left-hand needle to lift the first stitch over the second stitch and off the right-hand needle.
This method is great for beginners who are casting off their first project.
Are there different ways to cast off in knitting?
Yes! There are many different cast-off knitting methods you can try. You can choose the cast off methods that work better for your projects.
For example, socks will benefit from a different method from shawls.
You can see them here – Cast off Knitting Methods.
The most common methods are…
- Basic Bind Off / Standard Bind-Off Method.
- Elastic Bind Off/Stretchy Cast Off
- Jeny Surprisingly Stretchy Bind-Off
- Three-Needle Bind Off.
- I-Cord Bind Off.
- Tubular Cast Off.
- Picot Cast Off.
- Lace Bind-Off
Is casting off the same as binding off?
Yes! Casting off your knitting is the same term as binding off your knitting.
This is the way to end your knitting project, finishing that very final row so that the stitches are sealed in a way that they can’t unravel.
How do you cast off step by step?
You can see the step-by-step photo tutorial for beginners above.
Is it better to bind off on the right side or the wrong side of the knitting?
In knitting, whether to bind off on the right side or the wrong side depends on the pattern and the look you’re aiming for.
Typically, binding off on the right side (RS) is preferred, as it creates a smoother, more finished look on the visible or “right” side of your project.
Binding off on the RS also aligns with the way most patterns are written, especially for projects like sweaters, scarves, and other items where the right side will be outward-facing.
However, there are cases where you might want to bind off on the wrong side (WS), particularly if the edge will be folded over or hidden or if you prefer the look of the bind-off seam on the wrong side.
Ultimately, it’s a matter of preference and pattern requirements, so checking specific instructions in your pattern or experimenting to see which you prefer can help achieve the desired finish.
What is the best way to bind off for knitting beginners?
For knitting beginners, the standard bind-off (also called the basic bind-off) is the best place to start.
It’s simple, straightforward, and creates a neat edge, making it ideal for most beginner projects like scarves, dishcloths, or simple squares.
How to bind off knitting left handed?
Binding off left-handed is similar to right-handed binding off, with just a few adjustments to match the left-handed knitting style.
Here’s a step-by-step guide:
- Knit the first two stitches on your left needle as you usually do, moving stitches from the left needle to the right needle.
- Lift the first stitch (the one further from the tip of the right needle) over the second stitch and off the needle.
- You should now have one stitch on your right needle.
- Knit the next stitch on your left needle and move it to the right needle.
- Repeat lifting the first stitch on the right needle over the new stitch, so you always have just one stitch on the right needle after each lift.
- Continue this pattern until only one stitch remains on the right needle.
- Cut the yarn, leaving a small tail, and pull it through the final stitch to secure.
This left-handed bind-off method will give you the same neat edge as a traditional bind-off, and the steps are simply mirrored for a more comfortable left-handed approach.
Once you’ve practiced, it will feel natural!
What are the abbreviations for cast off and bind off?
BO – Bind Off: This abbreviation is commonly used in American knitting patterns.
CO – Cast Off: While “CO” is typically used to mean cast on, in some British patterns or older instructions, it might occasionally be used to mean cast off. However, to avoid confusion, most patterns specify cast off in full without abbreviation.
Tips For A Successful Bind-Off
For a successful bind-off, focus on maintaining consistent tension to create a smooth, even edge that complements the rest of your piece.
If the tension is too tight, the bind-off edge may pucker or pull in, making it difficult to block or wear comfortably.
On the other hand, too-loose tension can create a floppy, uneven edge.
A helpful tip is to use a larger needle size than your working needle to achieve a slightly looser bind-off, especially for stretchy areas like sleeve cuffs or necklines.
Additionally, take your time to check the edge as you go, ensuring it aligns well with the rest of your knitting piece.
Happy Knitting!
