Italian bind-off—explained simply
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Time to read 2 min
The Italian bind-off may sound complicated at first, but it’s super easy. Once you’ve internalized the individual steps, you won’t want to bind off any other way.
I really like using the Italian bind-off because this method creates a super-elastic and very even edge on the knitted piece.
That’s why I’ve put together a complete, super-clear guide with all the steps for you here.
Things to keep in mind:
Distinguish between your projects worked in the round and those worked in rows, as the preparation is slightly different for each.
Practice first on a swatch with medium-weight yarn that doesn’t split.
All you need is your knitted piece and a tapestry needle / yarn needle.
Follow your instructions step by step—you’ll see, it’s super easy.
Contents
"My tip: Practice the Italian bind-off on a swatch first. You’ll find that if you follow the instructions step by step, it’s not difficult at all!"
Preparing the ribbing
You need ribbing with 1 knit stitch and 1 purl stitch alternating.
If you have 2x2 ribbing, I recommend first knitting one preparatory row as follows:
Slip the edge stitch, * knit 1 stitch, purl 1 stitch *; repeat to the end of the row.
If you already have 1x1 ribbing, you can skip this step.
Rows: Preparation – Italian bind-off in rows
For Italian bind-off in rows, prepare your ribbing as follows:
Row 1 (right-side row):
* Knit 1 stitch, slip 1 purl stitch (with the yarn in front of the work) *
Row 2 (wrong-side row):
* Purl 1 stitch, slip 1 stitch knitwise (with the yarn behind the work) *
Rounds: Preparation – Italian bind-off in the round
For Italian bind-off in the round, prepare your ribbing as follows:
Round 1:
* Knit 1 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), purl 1 stitch *
Materials needed
You need:
1 tapestry needle / yarn needle
First, you need to cut the yarn to the following length:
leave the yarn about three times as long as the finished ribbing.
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 slip it off the needle.
If the first stitch is a purl stitch, you can continue directly with step 2.
Italian Bind-Off Step 1
Purl stitch: Pull the yarn from left to right through the first stitch (this stitch remains on the needle for now).
Italian Bind-Off Step 2
Now pull the yarn from right to left through the previous knit stitch and through the second stitch on the left needle (this is a knit stitch).
Both stitches remain on the needle for now.
Italian Bind-Off Step 3
Now pull the yarn from right to left through the purl stitch (this is the last stitch on the left needle).
The last two stitches are now slipped off the needle. Pull the yarn slightly.
Repeat
Repeat steps 1, 2, and 3 until the last two stitches on the needle have been worked.
Now you just need to weave in the end securely.
Conclusion
The Italian bind-off offers many advantages. The finished ribbing is very pretty and highly elastic. It also creates the visual effect of the ribbing folding over the edge.
If you follow the steps carefully, the Italian bind-off is really not difficult.
Look closely at each step and simply give it a try. You’ll be amazed at how quickly and neatly your Italian bind-off ribbing turns out!
Post by Rabea
I’m Rabea, an architect by training and a passionate knitter. Since 2023, my husband Christoph and I have been devoting ourselves entirely to our online shop.
