Casting off (binding off)

When casting off, you may want to pick up the edge afterwards either to sew up a garment, or to make into a neckline, so it is vital to cast off loosely.

Try to always cast off on a knit row, but if you need to do it on a purl row, take the yarn back when you slip the second stitch over the first stitch and bring it back again to purl the next stitch.

Method

Knit the first two stitches onto the right hand needle. Pass the first stitch over the one nearest the point of the right hand needle, leaving one stitch on the needle. *Knit the next stitch and pass the stitch first stitch over it as before*, repeat from *to* until only one stitch remains on the right hand needle.

Break the yarn, take the last stitch off the needle and thread the yarn through the loop and tighten.

Alternatively, break the yarn, pull the thread through the stitch.

To make a more elastic cast off edge, cast off in rib (1 stitch knit, 1 stitch purl).