Binding off in Italian - simply explained
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Time to read 2 min
Italian bind-off sounds complicated at first, but it’s super easy. Once you’ve mastered the individual steps, you won’t want to bind off any other way.
I really love Italian bind-off because this method creates a super elastic and very even finish on the knitting piece.
That’s why I’ve put together a complete and super clear guide with all the steps for you.
Here’s what you should pay attention to:
Distinguish your projects in rounds from those in rows, as you need to prepare them slightly differently.
Practice first on a swatch with a medium-thick yarn that doesn’t split.
You only need your knitting piece and a darning needle / wool needle.
Follow your instructions step by step, you’ll see it’s super easy.
Contents
"My tip: Practice the Italian bind-off first on a swatch. You’ll find that if you follow the instructions step by step, it’s not difficult at all!"
Cuff preparation
You need a ribbing with 1 knit stitch, 1 purl stitch alternating.
If you have a 2x2 ribbing, I recommend first knitting a preparation row as follows:
Edge stitch * knit 1 purl 1* alternating until the end of the row.
If you already have a 1x1 ribbing, you can skip this step.
Rows: Preparation - Italian bind-off in rows
For Italian bind-off in rows, prepare your cuff as follows:
Row 1 (right side):
* 1 knit stitch, slip 1 purl stitch (with the yarn in front of the work) *
Row 2 (wrong side):
* Slip 1 stitch purlwise, slip 1 stitch knitwise (with yarn behind the work) *
Rounds: Preparation - Italian bind-off in rounds
For Italian bind-off in rounds, prepare your cuff as follows:
Round 1:
* 1 knit stitch, slip 1 purl stitch (with the yarn in front of the work) *
Round 2:
* Slip 1 knit stitch (with the yarn behind the work), 1 purl stitch *
Required materials
You need:
1 sewing needle / wool needle
First, you need to cut the yarn to the following length:
Leave the yarn about three times as long as the finished cuff.
Italian Bind-Off Step A
If the first stitch is a knit stitch, pull the yarn from right to left through the first stitch and let it slip off the needle.
If the first stitch is a purl stitch, you can continue directly with step 2.
Italian Bind-Off Step 1
Left stitch: Pull the yarn from left to right through the first stitch (this stitch remains on the needle).
Italian Bind-Off Step 2
Now pull the yarn from right to left through the previous right stitch and through the second stitch on the left needle (this is a knit stitch).
Both stitches remain on the needle.
Italian Bind-Off Step 3
Now pull the yarn from right to left through the left stitch (this is the last stitch on the left needle).
The last two stitches are now lifted off the needle. Pull the yarn a little tight.
Repetition
You repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 until the last two stitches on the needle have been worked.
Now you just need to sew the yarn in securely.
Conclusion
Italian bind-off offers many advantages. The finished cuff is super pretty and very elastic. It also has the visual effect as if the cuff is wrapping around the edge.
If you follow the steps carefully, the Italian bind-off is really not difficult.
Take a close look at each step and just give it a try. You'll be amazed at how quick and neat your Italian bind-off cuff will be!
Post by Rabea
I am Rabea, actually an architect and passionate knitter. Since 2023, my husband Christoph and I have been fully dedicating ourselves to our online shop.
