Binding off my knitting used to scare me! I dreaded doing it and even avoided it. If you feel this way too, I can help you with this task and make it a point of pride in your knitting.

Below, I’m sharing with you two tips that can turn your tight bind off into one that matches the gauge of the rest of your knitting.

Method 1: Go up 1 to 2 needle sizes

This method is so quick and easy. Simply use knitting needles that are one or two sizes larger than your project needles to work the bind off. I used this method for awhile and got good results.

At first, you’re going to want to try a knitting needle that is one size bigger. Now, bind off about 5 -10 stitches. How does it look? If it’s still too tight, then remove the bind off and go up one more size. Try binding off about 5 – 10 stitches again. You shouldn’t need to go up more than two sizes.

Although using larger needles will keep your bind off from being too tight, it does have couple of cons:

• It’s not stretchy. So if that’s important, try method 2 instead.
• You have to either own or be willing to bmuy knitting needles that are 1 to 2 sizes bigger than ones you used for your project.
• You have to remember to switch needles to work the bind off row.
• Sometimes, with finer yarns like lace and sock yarns, the bind off row can look noticeably taller than the rest of the knitting.

Method 2: Make One Small Change to Bind Off

Modified Standard Bind Off
This is my favorite method and you don’t need to change needle sizes. It looks good with the long tail cast on as it has a “braided” appearance. Keeping the needle tips close together as you work this bind off will help you to maintain proper and consistent tension.

Step 1: K1.
Step 2: K the next st (stitch), but do not remove this “old st” off the left needle. There are now 2 sts on the right needle (RN) and the “old st” on the left needle (LN). Pass first stitch on the RN over 2nd st, place your right pointer finger on the st on the RN, let the “old st” come off the LN (1 bound off st). To keep the bind off from over tightening while working the next st, keep your finger on the this st until it is bound off. Repeat Step 2 until all sts are bound off.

I honestly can’t think of a con for this way of binding off your stitches. If you can think of one, please do let me know.

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Which method do you think you’d be willing to try? I would love to know what you do to keep your bind off from being too tight.

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