How to do the Italian bind off

The italian bind off is a popular bind off for 1-by-1 ribbed knitted edges. The italian bind off looks neat, is a bit stretch and is done using a darning needle. In this post I explain how to prepare for the bind off, and describe how to do it step-by-step. Prefer to see an example? See the video below.

Can I do the bind off in the round?
Yes, in the round the bind off works the exact same way.

How long does my yarn tail need to be for the bind off?
Cut your approximately three times as long as the edge you will be binding off. This is about how much yarn you need.

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Step-by-step instructions

First, we need to prepare for the bind off to make it tubular. We will use the ‘double knitting’ technique for two rows, which together form one row. This makes sure the bind off will be more stretchy. How you prepare, depends on if you work in the round or not. See the instructions for your situation.

Preparing for the italian bind off

Preparation when working in the round

One round before binding off, do this repeat:
1. *K1, Sl1WYIF*, repeat between ** to the end of the round.
2. *Sl1WYIB, P1*, repeat between ** to the end of the round.

These two rounds together form one round. You are now ready to do the bind off.

Preparation when working flat

One round before binding off, do this repeat:
1. *K1, Sl1WYIF*, repeat between ** to the end of the row.
2. *K1, Sl1WYIF*, repeat between ** to the end of the row.

These two rounds together form one row. You are now ready to do the bind off.

The italian bind off

1. Set up stitch 1: Insert the darning needle into the first knit stitch purl-wise. Pull the yarn all the way through, leaving the stitch on the needle.
2. Set up stitch 2: Bring the darning needle to the front, insert the darning needle into the first purl stitch knit-wise. Pull the yarn all the way through, leaving the stitch on the needle.
3. Insert the darning needle into the first knit stitch knit-wise. Pull yarn through and drop the stitch off the needle.
4. Insert the darning needle into the next knit stitch purl-wise. Pull yarn through leaving the stitch on the needle.
5. Insert the darning needle into the first purl stitch purl-wise. Pull yarn through over the yarn tail and drop the stitch off the needle.
6. Bring the darning needle to the front. Insert the yarn needle tip into the next purl stitch knit-wise. Pull the yarn through leaving the stitch on the needle.
7. Repeat step 3 through 6 until reaching the end of your work.
8. For your Final Knit Stitch: Insert the yarn needle tip into the knit stitch knit-wise. Pull the yarn through and drop the stitch off the needle.
9. For your final Purl Stitch: Insert the yarn needle tip into the purl stitch purl-wise. Pull the yarn through and drop the stitch off the needle.
10. Cut the yarn, but leave a tail that you weave into your work.

As you can see, step 3 through 6 repeat a lot. This is a little riddle I keep in my mind, to help me remember what step to do: ‘knit off, purl on, knit off, purl on’. This might sound a bit difficult in the beginning, but after a few repeats it really helps me.