How to Bind Off With a Cable Pattern in Knitting

When binding off with a cable pattern, the edge can get bulky or wavy. This is a common problem especially with large cables. This problem can make it difficult for two pieces to be sewn together in a project. To avoid this problem, you can use a simple k2tog to decrease the number of stitches when you cast off. Read on to learn how to bind off with a cable pattern in knitting.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Begin binding off. Knit the first two stitches of the row.

2. Slip the first stitch over the second. The first stitch is now bound off.

3. Continue the pattern of knitting the next stitch and slipping the last over it until you reach a cable section.

4. Bind off the first few stitches of the cable normally until you reach the center of the cable.

5. Knit two stitches at the center of the cable together.

6. Slip the previous stitch over the k2tog stitch.

7. Repeat the pattern of binding off normally and knitting two stitches together at the center of a cable until all the stitches are bound off.

8. Bind off until there is one stitch left. Cut the yarn leaving an 8-inch tail.

9. Pull the tail through the last stitch and pull tight. All the stitches are now securely bound off.

Tips & Warnings

• If there is a cable that is very large you can knit two stitches together several times to decrease the number of stitches and reduce the bulk of the bound off edge. Just ensure that the first and last stitch of cable are bound off normally.

[Suexi]

on 5/24/2008 Being a mostly self-taught knitter, this was new information for me. I've been knitting for almost 20 years now, but this was still new to me. Thanks so much for writing this how-to!!