Binding Off In Pattern

Binding off in pattern is a nice, tidy way to bind off a stitch pattern like ribbing, which uses both knits and purls each row. Instead of knitting all of the stitches before binding them off as you would in a knit bind-off, you work the stitches ‘in pattern’ as you bind them off. Binding off in pattern creates a tidy edge that sits flat at the top of your stitches, rather than sitting one side or the other as with a knit bind-off or a purl bind-off. I especially like this technique for ribbing, because it allows the bound-off edge to ‘fold’ or ‘flutter’ following the in-and-out structure of the ribbing pattern itself.

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This tutorial includes:

1. How to bind off in pattern (general)
2. How to bind off in 1×1 rib
3. How to bind off in 2×2 rib
4. When to use bind off in pattern

A bind-off comparison

The two swatches below show the difference in finish between a regular bind-off, and binding off in pattern.

How to Bind Off In Pattern

This technique uses just the same method as a basic bind off, except that you work each stitch ‘in pattern’ before binding it off, rather than knitting all stitches.

To work a stitch ‘in pattern’ means that you’ll work a knit or a purl, depending on the stitch pattern you are following. For a ribbed pattern you’ll knit the stitches that look like knits on the previous row, and purl the stitches that look like purls. This is sometimes described as ‘knit the knits and purl the purls’.

• Setup: Work the first two stitches of the row in pattern. There are now two stitches on the right-hand needle.
• Step 1: Use the left-hand needle tip to lift the first stitch on the right-hand needle up and over the second stitch, then let it drop off the needle. This is one stitch bound off. There is now one stitch on the right-hand needle.
• Step 2: Work the next stitch on the left-hand needle in pattern, be that knitting or purling. There are now two stitches on the right-hand needle.

Repeat steps 1-2 until there are no more stitches left on the left-hand needle. There will be 2 stitches on the right-hand needle. Work step 1 once more. Break the working yarn, leaving an end. Draw the end through the remaining live stitch, and pull tight. Weave in the end.

How to bind off 1×1 ribbing in pattern

• Setup: k1, p1. There are now two stitches on the right-hand needle. Use the left-hand needle tip to lift the first stitch on the right-hand needle up and over the second stitch, then let it drop off the needle. This is one stitch bound off. There is now one stitch on the right-hand needle.
• Step 1: k1. There are now two stitches on the right-hand needle.
• Step 2: Use the left-hand needle tip to lift the first stitch on the right-hand needle up and over the second stitch, then let it drop off the needle.
• Step 3: p1, There are now two stitches on the right-hand needle.
• Step 4: Use the left-hand needle tip to lift the first stitch on the right-hand needle up and over the second stitch, then let it drop off the needle.

Repeat steps 1-4 until there are no more stitches left on the left-hand needle. There will be 2 stitches on the right-hand needle. Work step 1 once more. Break the working yarn, leaving an end. Draw the end through the remaining live stitch, and pull tight. Weave in the end.

How to bind off 2×2 ribbing in pattern

• Setup: k2. There are now two stitches on the right-hand needle. Use the left-hand needle tip to lift the first stitch on the right-hand needle up and over the second stitch, then let it drop off the needle. This is one stitch bound off. There is now one stitch on the right-hand needle.
• Step 1: p1. There are now two stitches on the right-hand needle.
• Step 2: Use the left-hand needle tip to lift the first stitch on the right-hand needle up and over the second stitch, then let it drop off the needle.
• Step 3: p1, There are now two stitches on the right-hand needle.
• Step 4: Use the left-hand needle tip to lift the first stitch on the right-hand needle up and over the second stitch, then let it drop off the needle.
• Step 5: k1. There are now two stitches on the right-hand needle.
• Step 6: Use the left-hand needle tip to lift the first stitch on the right-hand needle up and over the second stitch, then let it drop off the needle.
• Step 7: k1, There are now two stitches on the right-hand needle.
• Step 8: Use the left-hand needle tip to lift the first stitch on the right-hand needle up and over the second stitch, then let it drop off the needle.

Repeat steps 1-8 until there are no more stitches left on the left-hand needle. There will be 2 stitches on the right-hand needle. Work step 1 once more. Break the working yarn, leaving an end. Draw the end through the remaining live stitch, and pull tight. Weave in the end.

When would you Bind Off In Pattern?

Binding off in pattern creates a tidy edge. It allows the purl stitches to recede, and the knit stitches to come forward. It keeps the ‘rippled’ effect of the ribbing going through the edge itself. You can work it firmly, in order to add structure / tightness. Or you can work it loosely, to allow for more stretch. It matches quite well with a basic cast-on edge after which ribbing is worked.

Other Bind-Off methods

• basic bind off (also known as binding off knitwise) – you knit each stitch before binding it off
• bind off purlwise – you purl each stitch before binding it off
• bind off stitches without working them first – you have already worked each stitch (in pattern!) before binding it off; this will achieve a similar result to binding off in pattern, but tends to be will be tighter/firmer
• i-cord bind off – this creates a nice tidy edge of sweater necklines, hems, or cuffs.

More great TCK patterns with ribbed edges:

Ironheart

Rockfall

Antler

Flax Light (free)

Marshland

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