A step-by-step tutorial with everything you need to know about the super invisible tubular bind-off method
So, you’ve finished a project in ribbing and now you are looking for a stretchy and perfectly invisible way to bind-off? Then look no further because the tubular bind-off might be your new best friend. This sewn bind-off method creates a well-rounded in-pattern edge that has a lot of give.
The basic version of this technique works for a 1×1 rib stitch only. It’s essentially a variation of the famous Kitchener Stitch on one needle. You will find further options down below. It requires a bit of patience, some practise, and a deft touch but can look utterly stunning for the right kind of project.
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Instructions: How to knit the tubular bind-off for 1x1 ribbing
This tubular bind-off falls into the category of sewn finishing techniques. As such, it's important to leave a tail that is long enough. It will also take some practice to get the tension right.
Tools
Instructions
- Leave a generous tail that is around 4 times as long as your edge is wide and thread it on a blunt tapestry needle.
Important: Your row should start with a knit stitch.
- Preparation stitch 1: Pull the tapestry needle through the first stitch on your needle purlwise (coming in from right to left).
- Preparation stitch 2: Go through the second stitch knitwise coming in from behind through the gap between first and second stitch. Avoid piercing the yarn or going through any loops. It helps to keep close contact to the knitting needle. I kind of "scrape" the tapestry needle across the bottom of the needle before I enter the stitch.
- From here, you start with the actual tubular bind-off repeat:
Pull the yarn through the first stitch knitwise (so entering from left to right) and drop the stitch off the needle.
- Go through the new second stitch (this should also be a knit stitch) purlwise. Pull tight lightly.
- Pull the tapestry needle through the first stitch (it should be a purl stitch) purlwise and drop it off the needles.
- Go through the new second stitch (it should be a purl stitch) knitwise coming through the gap between first and second stitch from behind. Then pull tight lightly.
- Repeat steps 4-7 over and over again for the tubular bind-off.
Note: When knitting flat, there will be no adjacent stitches for the last two stitches on your needle. So just skip steps 6+7.
Notes
You can manage the stretchiness of this bind-off by the way you pull tight after every stitch. For the most invisible finish, I recommend knitting a short swatch (just 14 stitches and 3 rows of ribbing). Test out your tension first before you commit to finishing an important project.
There is one issue I need to address here: Strictly speaking, this bind-off technique should be called “Italian bind-off” because – technically speaking – it mirrors the edge created by the Italian cast-on.
If you started with a tubular cast-on and truly want symmetrical edges, you would have to knit across two rows in double stockinette stitch (*k1, sl1p wyif*) before you start sewing.
But, I guess, I am not here to revolutionize the knitting world. The name stuck and we have to live with it, right?
Tubular bind-off for a 2×2 rib stitch
You can also do a tubular bind-off for a 2×2 rib stitch. However, you will have to adjust the repeat. Or rather, you do have to knit one preparation row where you twist stitches. As a result, the edge will not be as invisible, seamless, and stretchy.
Step 1: Knit across until you come to the first second knit stitch of a knit column in your row.
Step 2: Insert your knitting needle into the back loop of the second stitch (should be a purl stitch) coming in from behind.
Step 3: Use your thumb to press the first two stitches against the right needle.
Step 4: Pull out the left needle. This should drop the knit stitch loop. However, with your thumb firmly in place, it should not unravel or move.
Step 5: Immediately pick up the dropped stitch with your left needle.
Step 6: Slip the purl stitch on your right needle back to the left needle. So essentially you are doing a 1×1 cable without a cable needle.
Step 7: Continue knitting across in pattern until you come to the next second knit stitch in a knit column. Typically you should: [p1, k1, p1, k1]. Then, start with step 2 again.
Step 8: Once you’ve finished this preparation row, you can follow the repeat for the normal tubular bind-off as detailed above.
Again, please keep in mind that the way you pull tight after every pass will define the overall neatness and stretchiness of the resulting edge. I absolutely recommend practicing on a swatch before you commit. It’s very easy to mess up the edge.
Anyway, that was my tubular bind-off tutorial. Comment below with your questions!
Hi! I keep getting stuck in the same place and unable to redo it and get back on track. Anyway you’d be willing to offer me some help????
At step 3 with the blue yarn where it says, “Preparation stitch 2: Go through the second stitch knitwise coming in from behind through the gap between first and second stitch”, the photo doesnt clearly show it, but from the previous stepbthe yarn is in the front…how do we come “in from behind”?
There’s a video here attached to this tutorial if you need futher clarity.
Bring the needle to the back of your work and then come in from behind.
Where is it?
At the end of the instructions. Your ad blocker might prevent it from playing.
What if the first stitch would have been a s1p stitch and not a knit stitch?
i am not sure I understand this question.
The instructions say to start bind off with a knit stitch. The row that I ended with would have started with s1p, k1, s1p. So it would be a purl stitch and then a knit stitch. So how do I start the tubular bind off when it is not a knit stitch? I may be making it more complicated than it is, never done a tubular bind off before.
well, it’S just a fancy way to do a Kitchener stitch. as long as you always have a pair of knit and purl stitch, it can start with either. In that case, just exchange all purlwise with knitwise and vice versa for the whole thing.
What’s the reason / benefit for the 2 preparation stitches? I’ve seen tutorials do it just like yo taught and others that skip it and start right away with knitting off the first stitch. (Thanks so much for all of your posts and videos – I’ve learned so much from you!)
Technically speaking, the two preparation stitches are needed because the yarn enters each stitch once and then exists it once.
Some skip it to achieve a rounder edge (so by grafting only a half stitch)
Oh that makes sense. Thank you!!
I’m having trouble finding some sort of tubular (or invisible) bind-off for a sweater’s collar and armholes (it’s a vest) that is knit in stockinette. Does such a cast-off exist?
I don’t want a rolled collar and I don’t want a rib, unless nothing else will work.
For reference, I followed the instructions and have a 2×2 tubular cast-on at the bottom of the sweater. It turned out way too small for my dad (ugh, gauge issues) so I’m reworking it for my perfectionist sister.
Thank you!
well, you could do 2-4 rows in double stockinette stitch and then finish with a kitchener stitch. however, this will create a slim double layer for those 2-4 rows, obviously
I have messed up this bind-off so many times in the past and this, the first time I’ve looked at your article, is the first time I finally ‘got it’! Thanks so much!!
Hi Norman! I just found a very lovely neckline that is a 1×1 ribbed collar folded inward and evidently sewn into the existing bind-off seam of the sweater neck. This is a sweater I started last year and I don’t know where I got that technique from. Is this a formal technique or did I make it up? Thank you thank you!
That is a very common technique. you can sew or knit it. typically sewing it is a bit easier. you basically pick up every stitch on your needle with your crochet hook and then sew into the purl bump quite a couple of rows below (same column) and repeat.
Norman, when starting a tubular bind off on a straight piece (not in the round), do you still start the same way with pulling the yarn purlwise through the first knit stitch? Or do you skip the first stitch to keep it tighter/cleaner? Thank you!
I am a bit confused. my swatch is flat? So why would you assume I didn’t show you how I do it? So, the answer is, yes I do it exactly the way I show you here.
Hi!
Do you still do the first 2 preparation stitches when doing in the round? I followed your video for my cardigan hem bindoff (came out great thank you!!) and now preparing to do in sleeves.
Was thinking maybe I wouldn’t do the 2 prep stitches and somehow complete those first 2 beginning of round when ending? Appreciate if you have guidance on what changes I would need for this bindoff in the round.
Thank you!!
Actually, yes you absolutely need them. Think of it like this. The yarn enters each stitch once and exits it once.
So, the the beginning of the round, you do the preparations titches, and at the very end of the round, you go into these (now bound off stitches) one more time.
Thank you!!
Thank you! Perfect post.