Why are we having such trouble counting stitches in our bind-offs? Did you know takes 2 stitches to bind-off one? That’s key to understanding the knitting instructions and counting stitches. But what does that mean and how can it help us with our knitting projects? Below I share with you three ways to count your bind-off stitches.

Issues Counting Bind-Off Stitches

Let me knit you a story. It’s 8pm and you’re deep into the rhythm of the stitches on your needles. This is so relaxing. This knit is going to be beautiful. Okay, it’s time to do the sweaters’ neckline. Bind off 27 stitches in the middle of the row. So easy. 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, . . . 10, 11.

Ding. Oh hey! You just got a text inviting you to the movies next week. After a few more texts back and forth with your friend Laurie you have a movie date. Something fun to look forward to. You take a bathroom break (drinking all that tea). Time to get back into knitting that neckline.

Uh oh! How many stitched did you cast off? Yikes, you just can’t remember.

Honestly, this is a scenario that makes me crazy! I’m so unsure of myself when I have to keep track of bound off stitches. I can count other things with some degree of accuracy even complicated lace. But bound off stitches? Nope.

3 Easy ways to count your bound-off stitches

Today I decided it was time I changed that. I did some research online and in my knitting library. Turns out there are a couple of easy ways to count your bound-off stitches.

1. Count the chain stitches

One way is to count the chain stitches that are made when doing the simple standard bind-off. To quickly review: work two stitches, slip the first one over the second, one stitch bound off and one on the needle. Note that 2 stitches are always needed to bind-off one.

In the photo below of my lovely green lace sample from the Mesh It Up Cowl (on Ravelry), you can easily count the 6 chain stitches that were made from binding off purlwise.

2. Feel it

Currently I am working another project in black yarn. That bind-off is not easy to see. So I am using the tip of my needle to “feel” for those chain stitches on the edge. Sorry no picture to show you of me “feeling” the stitches. LOL.

3. Count the columns

Another way to do this is to count the columns of stitches under the bound off edge until you reach the one that has a live stitch in it. That’s the last stitch bound off.

“Undead Stitches” Causing Counting Problems

By the way, that last bound off stitch is also a live stitch. Wait, what? This “undead” stitch creates another counting dilema for lots of us knitters and designers.

The instructions for my sample, a wrong side row, are: BO 6 sts, p3; or Bind-off 6 stitches purl 3 stitches. (In the photo below pretend the stitches after the orange marker aren’t there).

After casting off 6 stitches you might think you are missing one stitch as there are only 2 more stitches to purl (labeled p2 & p3). What’s going on? It’s that “undead” stitch I mentioned.

Notice that stitch #6, the last bound-off stitch, also has a live stitch coming out of it – labeled p1. When stitches are bound off there will always be one live stitch remaining on the left needle. This stitch is the first stitch worked after the bind-off. In my sample I got rid of stitch #6 while also creating the first purl stitch (p1).

Remember above when I said that it takes 2 stitches to bind-off one? That’s key to understanding the knitting instructions. When binding off stitch #6 in my sample I am also working the 1st purl stitch from the instruction to purl 3 stitches. After working #6 and purl 1 (simultaneously) I need to purl 2 more stitches to finish that row. Make sense?

How can pattern designers help?

We pattern designers can do couple of things to help our knitters. By adding a simple note along with the stitch count, designers can make this type of instruction easier to understand.

Although Row 2 is written correctly, it leads to confusion for some knitters:

Row 2: BO 6 sts purlwise, p2, p2tog.

Adding a short note and the stitch count after working the row makes it clearer:

Note: In Row 2 the last st bound-off also counts as the first purl stitch in p2.
Row 2: BO 6 sts purlwise, p2, p2tog. (3 sts)

How do you keep track of your bind-off stitches?