Basic Bind off (BO)
The Basic Bind off is the most common way to finish your knitting and the first to learn for beginner knitters. Binding off also called casting off secures stitches to stop them from unraveling. The Basic Bind off uses interlocking knits and purls.
Abbreviations & Alternative Names
The Basic Bind off may also be called Bind off, Classic Bind off or cast off.
Bind off is abbreviated to - BO
Completed Basic Bind off
Basic Bind off Step by Step
Knitwise
Binding off knitwise is used for binding off the right side of Stockinette stitch or both the right and wrongside of garter stitch.
Step 1
Knit 2 stitches (sts).
Step 2
Use left needle to pull first stitch on right needle over the second stitch and off the needle - 1 stitch remains on right needle.
Step 3
Knit 1 stitch (st).
Repeat steps 2 & 3 until 1 stitch remains.
Break working yarn leaving a tail to weave in. Pull the tail through the last stitch, gently tighten to complete.
Purlwise
Binding off purlwise is used for binding off the wrong side of Stockinette stitch.
Step 1
Purl 2 stitches (sts).
Step 2
Use left needle to pull first stitch on right needle over the second stitch and off the needle - 1 stitch remains on right needle.
Step 3
Purl 1 stitch (st).
Repeat steps 2 & 3 until 1 stitch remains.
Break working yarn leaving a tail to weave in. Pull the tail through the last stitch, gently tighten to complete.
Binding off in pattern
Binding off in pattern follows the established stitch pattern creating a more uniform bind off with alternating knits and purls.
Step 1
Knit or Purl 2 stitches (sts) - following established pattern.
Step 2
Use left needle to pull first stitch on right needle over the second stitch and off the needle - 1 stitch remains on right needle.
Step 3
Knit or Purl 1 stitch (st).
Repeat steps 2 & 3 until 1 stitch remains.
Break working yarn leaving a tail to weave in. Pull the tail through the last stitch, gently tighten to complete.
Characteristics of Basic Bind off
Tension
Keep stitches slightly loose on needles.
Look
The Basic Bind off creates a chain of knit stitches on the bind off edge.
Stretch
The Basic Bind off has approximately 40% stretch. The above example stretches from 7" to 10".
Tip: Basic Bind off in the round
Binding off in the round used the same techniques as binding off knitting flat. However, after binding off the final stitch leaves a gap. This can be resolved using the yarn tail when weaving in ends.
Before
Binding off in the round leaves a gap one row high between the first and last stitch. This happens because knitting in the round is in a spiral shape and not evenly stacked rows.
After
Connecting the first and last bound off stitches with a grafted knit stitch evens out the beginning and end of round.
Step 1
Thread the yarn tail onto a darning needle. Insert the needle under both legs of the first bound off stitch, front to back. The first bound off stitch is the stitch to the left of the stitch with the yarn tail.
Step 2
Insert the darning needle into the center of the last bound off stitch, front to back. This is the same spot the yarn comes out of.
Video Tutorial for Basic Bind off
