How to Knit a Double Bind-Off

This is the Breakers cowl from the Tempest collection. It has a lovely, decorative bind off called a Double Bind-Off that I’d like to show you. The Double Bind-Off is somewhat similar in look and execution to the three-needle bind-off. Instead of one column of knit stitches there are two columns. To set up for the bind off, I’ve picked up and knit along the selvedge edges. I’m using a contrasting colour for the demonstration. You can use either the same colour as your project or for a more decorative effect, use a coordinating colour.

STEP 1

Hold both needles parallel to one another with wrong sides together.

STEP 2

Using a double-pointed needle (dpn), knit 1 stitch from the front needle.

STEP 3

Swing the dpn around while sliding it through the stitch, so that the opposite end of the needle is ready to be used. With yarn in front (wyif), purl 1 from the back needle. There are now two stitches on the dpn.

STEP 4

Now you want to knit one from the front needle, so swing the dpn around and slide it through the stitches so the front end of the dpn is ready to be used. With yarn in back, knit one from the front needle. Now it’s time to begin the bind off. Pass the middle stitch over the first stitch on the dpn—2 stitches remain.

STEP 5

The next step is to purl one from the back needle, so swing the dpn around while sliding it through the stitches until the back end of the needle is ready to be used. Wyif, purl one from the back needle. Pass the middle stitch over the first stitch on the dpn to bind it off.

STEP 6

When you get to the end of the bind off, work he last stitches in the same manner—2 stitches remain. Knit 2 together, cut yarn and enlarge the stitch until the tail pulls out. The Double Bind-Off lies flat, unlike the three-needle bind-off. This is a decorative bind-off and it’s meant to show on the RS of the work.