How to knit the crochet bind-off

A step-by-step tutorial on how to bind off knitting with a crochet hook the easy way

Do you want to learn a secret? Most of the techniques in knitting can also be done with a crochet hook. So, if you have been struggling with the standard way to cast-off, then you should know about this super simple alternative: The crochet bind-off. This tutorial is all about it.

the crochet bind off in knitting shown on a swatch in green yarn

It’s very important to note that the crochet bind-off will not create a different edge. From a technical point of view, the result will be exactly the same. It’s just a different way to get there and maybe it’s easier for you.

Let’s dive right into it and show you how to bind off knitting with a crochet hook.

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Instructions for the crochet bind-off

someone showing how to bind off with a crochet hook

The crochet bind-off creates a moderately stretchy edge and requires a hook that is as big as your knitting needles or bigger (for a stretchier edge). It will work flat or in the round.

Active Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes

Instructions

  1. Insert your crochet hook into the first stitch on your left needle.

    inserting the crochet hook into the first stitch to start the crochet bind off
  2. Grab the working yarn with your crochet hook coming from below.

    grabbing the working yarn with the crochet hook
  3. Twist the hook so it faces downwards and pull the working yarn through the loop.

    pulling the yarn through with a crochet hook
  4. Drop the resulting stitch off the left needle.

    dropping the resulting stitch off the needles
  5. Next, insert your crochet hook into the second stitch on your left needle and grab the yarn coming in from below.

    inserting the crochet hook into the next stitch and grabbing the yarn
  6. Twist the hook so it faces downwards and pull the yarn through this second stitch as well.

    pulling the yarn through the second stitch on the knitting needle
  7. Drop the stitch off the left needle. You should have two stitches on your crochet hook now.

    dropping the stitch off the needles - there are two stitches on the crochet hook now
  8. Pull the first stitch through the second using the crochet hook.

    pulling the first stitch through the second using the crochet hook
  9. From here, enter your crochet hook into the next stitch on the left needle.

    pulling the working yarn through the next stitch with the crochet hook
  10. Pull the working yarn through to create another stitch. You should have two stitches on your crochet hook again.

    dropping the resultingstitch off the needles - two stitches on the crochet hook
  11. Pull the first stitch through the second stitch on your crochet hook.

    pulling the first stitch through the second one using the crochet hook
  12. Continue repeating steps 9-11 until there is only one stitch left on your crochet hook. Break the yarn and pull out that last stitch to tie a knot and finish the crochet bind-off.

    pulling out the last stitch to finish the crochet bind off

As I said in the introduction, the crochet bind-off is just a different technique to achieve the same results. If you take a close look, you are basically knitting two stitches (albeit with your crochet hook). And then, instead of passing the second stitch over the first, you pull the first through the second. But of course, that too will have the same result.

I personally am not the biggest fan of this technique. Mainly because it does not really enable you to create a neat last bind-off stitch. Then again, I do realize that a lot of people started out with crochet first and then and there it can be a lovely skill to get started.

And I guess it’s just an excellent reminder that it’s often not useful to think in knitting vs crochet. The two crafts are just too similar!

someone holding up a swatch finished with the crochet bind-off
A swatch started with the crochet cast-on and finished with the crochet bind-off.

And when you pair it with the crochet cast-on, you will end up with a lovely mirrored edge. So how cool is that?

Anyway, that’s how to do the crochet bind-off. Comment below in case you still have any questions.

how to knit the crochet bind-off - a step by step tutorial

2 thoughts on “How to knit the crochet bind-off”

  1. Thank you so much for sharing this tutorial!! I have been crocheting for many years but have struggled with learning to knit. Binding off has always been a lesson in perseverance for me because I’ve had such a hard time. I just used this technique to bind off a dishcloth and it was SO easy!! I can’t thank you enough!

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