How to Bind Off in Knitting

How to Bind Off in Knitting

Finishing your knitting with a neat, secure edge makes all the difference in how your project looks and feels — and that’s exactly where the bind off (BO) comes in. Binding off is the final step in most knit projects, where you release your stitches from the needle and create a clean edge that won’t unravel. It’s the finishing touch that turns rows of stitches into wearable scarves, cozy hats, snug cowls, and more.

For many knitters, bind-offs can feel a bit mysterious at first, but once you understand the basic mechanics, they become second nature. In its simplest form — and the one shown here — binding off involves knitting a few stitches at a time and passing the first stitch over the second to secure the edge. This creates a sturdy, classic finish that works beautifully on everything from accessories to garments.

Whether you’re just learning the fundamentals of knitting or you’re refreshing an essential technique, this page covers the core steps of a standard bind off and gives you the confidence to finish your projects cleanly and confidently. Once you’ve mastered this basic bind off, you’ll find it easier to explore other finishing methods, like stretchy bind-offs for ribbing or three-needle bind-offs for seamless joins.

How to Bind Off (BO) Using the Standard Bind off

1. Knit 2 stitches
2. Slip the first stitch over the second stitch
3. Knit 1 stitch
4. Slip the first stitch over the second stitch
Repeat steps 3 + 4 until you have 1 stitch left
5. Cut yarn and pull through

Watch the Full Video Tutorial

My Pattern Library is designed with beginner knitters in mind and includes many easy patterns with accompanying video tutorials.