How to Cast Off

Once you’ve finished knitting your project, the final stage is to cast off (or bind off) your work. Casting off creates a neat edge to your garment, and ensures that your work doesn’t unravel once it’s off the needles. Make sure not to pull too tightly on the yarn as you cast off, as this will distort the edge of your work.

Step 1: Knit the first two stitches in the row. You will now have two stitches on your right hand needle.

Step 2: Insert the left hand needle into the second stitch on the right hand needle and slip it over the first stitch and off the needle.

You now have just one stitch remaining on the right hand needle.

Step 3: Knit the next stitch from the left hand needle and repeat step 2. Continue in this way until you have just one stitch left on the right hand needle.

Step 4: Cut the yarn, leaving enough of a tail to weave in.

Step 5: Pass the end of the yarn through the last stitch, slip it off the needle and pull firmly.

That’s it! Once you’ve cast off your project you just need to weave in any loose ends and block your work.