Most knitters use two knitting needles to bind off their work, and you probably have a few tried-and-true methods you use over and over. But using a crochet hook in place of a knitting needle can open up new possibilities for ending your work.
No Crochet Experience Required
Each of these methods uses one knitting needle and one crochet hook. Although each method is named after a specific crochet stitch, it is not necessary to know how to crochet to execute the bind-off. A good rule of thumb is to use a crochet hook in a size equivalent to the knitting needle size used for your project. However, if you want to keep your bind-off from becoming too tight, use a crochet hook one size bigger than your project needles. (And of course, don’t forget that swatching is the best way to experiment with a new method or technique before you tackle the project itself).
Bind-Off Two Ways
For these two bind-offs, the first two steps are identical. The middle step (Step 3) differs with the movement of the yarn on the crochet hook, creating either a slip stitch (immediately pulling the yarn through both loops) or a single crochet (doing a yarn over before pulling the yarn through both loops).
Crochet bind-offs create firm edgings, perfect for adding embellishments such as fringe.
The Slip-Stitch Crochet Bind-Off Method
1) Holding your finished work in your left hand and the crochet hook in your right hand, insert the hook knitwise into the first stitch on the needle. Wrap the working yarn around the back of the hook and pull through a loop, keeping the loop on the hook.
2) Let the stitch drop off the knitting needle.
One loop on crochet hook, getting ready for the next stitch.
3) Insert the hook into the next stitch, wrap the yarn around (yarn over), and pull it through so there are two loops on the hook. Immediately pull the loop through the stitch on the crochet hook, making a slip stitch, and let the stitch fall off the needle.
With two loops on the hook, pull the loop closest to hook end through the existing loop and off the hook.
4) Repeat until you have one stitch remaining. Cut yarn and pull it through the last stitch on the hook. DONE!
The Single Crochet Bind-Off Method
1) Holding your finished work in your left hand and the crochet hook in your right hand, insert the hook knitwise into the first stitch on the needle. Wrap the working yarn around the back of the hook and pull through a loop, keeping the loop on the hook.
2) Let the stitch drop off the knitting needle.
One hook on the crochet hook, getting ready for the next stitch.
3) Insert the hook into the next stitch, wrap the yarn around, and pull it through so there are two loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn (yarn over) and pull it through the two loops on the hook, letting the stitch fall off the needle.
With your two loops on the hook, yarn over and pull through both loops and off the hook.
4) Repeat until you have one stitch remaining. Cut yarn and pull it through the last stitch on the hook. DONE!
A Note About Yarns
As you consider adding a new technique to your bind-off toolkit, keep in mind that individual yarns respond differently depending on their fiber content. Yarns with non-elastic fibers such as cotton, silk, linen, and bamboo are a good match for crochet bind-offs best because they lack stretch and create a firm edge. As a bonus, the firm, non-stretchy edge is perfect for adding embellishments such as fringe or other decorative trims.