Free knitting lessons 4

Casting off is called binding off in several countries - casting off (co) and binding off (bo) use exactly the same process.

We'll take this knitting lesson from the point where you have worked the required length and are now ready to finish off.

So once again place your needle containing your stitches in your left hand and follow the steps and photographs below:-

Knit the first two stitches from the left needle onto the right needle. (The exception to this is if you patterns requests you to cast off on a purl row). This is termed "co or bo purlwise". In this case you purl all stitches instead of knitting them as we show here.

Using your left hand needle, insert it into the first of the two stitches you knitted, pull this stitch over the second stitch you knitted. This will seem a little awkward at first but you’ll soon get the hang of it.You now have one stitch on your right hand needle.

Knit another stitch. Once again you have two stitches on your right hand needle. Again pull the first stitch over the top of the second stitch.

Again you will have only one stitch on your right hand needle

Keep repeating the above steps until all your stitches have been cast off (bind off). You will have one loop left. Cut your yarn leaving a 10cm (4 inch tail). Push this tail through the remaining loop.

That's it .....if you've followed our free knitting lesson 1-4 you now have the knitting basics ...cast on, knit, purl, cast off or bind off.

One other basic stitch you'll find in many knitting patterns is the knit purl rib stitch use the link to learn how-to. or go to our beginners page and choose your first project.......

Further lessons -

how to pick up stitches in garter stitch for purse and bag bases

how to kitchener stitch for an invisible seam.

Go to our main HoughtonAvenue yarn crafts home page

Or

to top of this knitting lessons page