How To Cast Off Knitting For Total Beginners - Sheep And Stitch

Today you’ll learn how to cast off knitting once you’re finished your project.

How exciting!

At this point, you’ve got some rows of knitting under your belt. You should be very proud of yourself!

You’ve used two sticks to transform a loose bundle of string into a knitted rectangle. Now it’s time to get your knitting off the needles.

Cast Off Knitting Video Tutorial

A cast off (also called a “bind off”) creates an end to your knitting. It’s a safe and neat way to seal off the stitches so that they don’t unravel.

To cast off knitting, start on a new row, and knit two stitches loosely.

It’s important to keep the stitches loose so your cast off edge will remain stretchy.

Then drag the stitch on the right over the stitch on the left. Pull the stitch right off the needle.

Knit another stitch from the left needle, and do the same thing again: drag the stitch on the right over the stitch on the left and off the needle.

Below is a step-by-step guide that goes over these steps.

Cast Off Knitting Photo Guide

Some tips: When casting off, remember that you always need two stitches on the right needle. No more and no less.

Casting off is a game for two (stitches). Also remember to keep a loose hand when you’re casting off.

Once your cast off is secure, you’re done! Now your project is complete.

It’s all grown-up and ready to enter the real world.

*Sniff* They grow up so fast!

In this tutorial, I’m using Lion Brand’s Hometown USA in color Fort Lauderdale Coral and 8mm bamboo needles (similar).

Are You New to Knitting?

I’ve made a detailed guide for new knitters! It covers the very basics: cast on, knit stitch and cast off. These three techniques are the backbone of knitting. Master them, and you’re officially a knitter. Check out the guide by clicking the image above!