How to Cast Off a Knit Scarf

You've taken your first knitting class and now you are coming to the end of your first project--a knitted scarf--but you've forgotten how to bind off. The process of binding off not only takes the knitting off of the knitting needles, but will keep the project from unraveling. Once you've done it a time or two, you'll have it ingrained in your memory.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

1. Knit the first two stitches to the next row.

2. Insert the left knitting needle into the first stitch (on the right) and pull it over the top of the second stitch and over the end of the right knitting needle point. You have completed the first bind-off stitch.

3. Knit the next stitch on the left knitting needle. Once again, you have two stitches on the right needle. Repeat step 2. Continue in the same manner until you have only one stitch left on your right knitting needle.

4. Remove the knitting needle and widen the last stitch loop a bit. Cut the yarn, leaving a couple of inches. Pull the yarn through the loop, tightly. You have successfully completed the bind off for your knit scarf.

Tips & Warnings

• The tail of yarn left from the bind off can be woven back into the bottom of the scarf. This is best done with a crochet hook. If you are adding a fringe to your knit scarf, the tail of yarn can be incorporated into the fringe.

Resources

• Free and Easy Knitting Patterns