How to cast off knitting?
How to cast off knitting can be done in more ways than one. It can vary depending on your project and the stitches you are knitting (is it a purl, is it a knit stitch). Don't feel bamboozled though, generally you will need a standard two needle cast off to finish off your project beautifully. It is so satisfying to cast off that final stitch, sealing in your stitches to see a neatly cast off piece of knitting. A much needed addition to our collection of Knitting Essentials blog posts, after all if we are going to share how to start knitting, you need to know how to finish it.We have put together a series of 'how to cast off knitting' videos with the help of designer and workshop tutor, Carol Meldrum. Carol is a super tutor who teaches knitting finishing techniques, crochet and many more knitting workshops. It only made sense for her expert knitting hands to share a couple of demonstrations with you all. Carol will cover two needle cast off, how to sort out a baggy cast off stitch, rib cast off and three needle cast off - great for shoulder seams on garments.
Keep up to date with Carol on her Instagram page, she also teaches on knitting holidays around the world. Along with pics of knitting, you will also be treated to some breath-taking scenery.
How to cast off knitting - Standard two needles
1) With right side facing, knit the first 2 stitches.
2) Insert left hand needle purl wise in the first stitch on the right hand needle. (One at the bottom)
3) Lift the stitch over the second stitch on the second stitch on the right hand needle and drop off the needle. You will now have 1 stitch on the right hand needle.
4) Knit the next stitch on the left hand needle. You will now have 2 stitches on the right hand needle.
5) Repeat steps 2 to 4 until you have the last 2 stitches on the right hand needle.
6) Fasten off yarn, leaving a 15cm end. Insert the end through the last stitch and pull tight.
Fixing a baggy cast off stitch
Sometimes when you cast off the final stitch can look baggy. This is the first stitch from the previous row. Watch the video for this on Instagram.
1) To avoid getting a baggy end stitch, work the standard two needle cast off (steps 1 to 4) until you have 1 stitch on the right hand needle and 1 stitch on the left hand needle.
2) Slip stitch on right hand needle, back onto the left hand needle.
3) Insert right hand needle through the back (tbl) of the first stitch. Keep both stitches on the left hand needle.
4) Then insert right hand needle knit wise through the last stitch on the left hand needle.
5) Place the yarn around the right hand needle as normal and knit the 2 stitches together and slip both off the needle.
How to cast off knitting - Rib stitch
Depending on the pattern you are working you may have to cast off in rib. For this example we have used a 2x2 rib of 2 knit stitches, followed by 2 purl stitches.
Cast off using the two needle method in rib as follows:
1) With right side facing, knit the first two stitches.
2) Insert left hand needle purl wise in the first stitch on right hand needle.
3) Lift the first stitch over the second stitch on the right hand needle and drop off the needle. You will now have 1 stitch on the right hand needle.
4) Knit the next stitch on the left hand needle - you will now have 2 stitches on the right hand needle.
5) Repeat steps 2 and 3 once more.
6) Bring yarn forward between the needles and purl the next stitch. You should now have 2 stitched on the right hand needle. Repeat steps 2 and 3 once more - you will now have 1 stitch on the right hand needle.
7) Purl the next stitch on left needle, then repeat steps 2 and 3 again.
8) Continue to cast off in rib as set, following the knit and purl stitches from the row below. Remember to make sure your yarn is in the correct position for knit and purl stitches.
How to cast off knitting - Three needles / Two edges together
Three needle cast off is used to join to pieces of knitting together and will give a smooth firm seam. It is ideal for shoulder seams, why not give it a go next time you are finishing a garment?
1) Depending on the project, the cast off can be worked with either the wrong or right side facing. Here we have cast off with the right side facing.
2) You will need three needles for this cast off method.
3) With wrong side together, hold both needles facing in the same direction, in your left hand.
4) Insert the third needle knit wise through the first stitch on the front and back needles, and knit together. You will have 1 stitch on the right hand needle.
5) Repeat step 4 once more, now there should be 2 stitches on the right hand needle.
6) Insert left hand needle purl wise in the first stitch on the right hand needle.
7) Lift the stitch over the second stitch on the right hand needle and drop off the needle. You will now have 1 stitch on the right hand needle.
8) Repeat steps 4 to 7 until 1 stitch remains on right hand needle.
9) Fasten off yarn, leaving a 15cm end. Insert the end through the last stitch and pull tight.
Is there a technique that you would like to see covered on a how to video. Share you suggestions in the comments below.
Yarn used in examples is Scheepjes Softfun.