Closing the Bind-Off Gap

Here’s how to close the gap between the first and last bound-off stitches when knitting in the round:

1. After binding off, cut the yarn and tie off. *

2. Split the end yarn into 2 strands.

3. With a crochet hook or yarn needle, thread one strand of the end yarn through the first bound-off stitch.

4. Tie the 2 strands of end yarn together tightly. This joins the final round of your knitting.

5. Work in ends.

* Note: For narrow-striped knitting, you don’t have to divide the end yarn into 2 strands. Just tie off, thread the end yarn (from the final stripe) through the first bound-off stitch, and tie it to the other color’s yarn end (from the next-to-last stripe).



For more knitting tips that will help with Witch Warmers see
Preventing Uneven Ribs
Big Magic Loop
Preventing Ladders
Exquisite Striping
Quick and Dirty Striping
Adding a Color in the Round
Straightening and Joining in the Round
Magic Loop Rocks!
Short Witch Warmers
Black Attack: Working with Dark Yarn
Cast-Ons: Keeping Count
I Love Cable Cast-On
Swatch Wars

3-Needle Bind-Off for Dummies

Yes, in this case the dummy would be me. This bind-off-and-join is very much like 3-needle bind-off. As a lazy knitter who hates sewing seams, I came up with another way to join and bind off in one row. I think it’s more foolproof than 3-needle… fewer needles to juggle, and the safety of a holder to keep stitches from dropping off.

The idea is to join two pieces of knitting with live stitches by knitting two stitches together: one from each piece, and bind off as you go.

Here's how to do it for the Fortune-Teller Turban:

1. Move the desired number of stitches that are located at the end of the row (you have to be using a circular needle for this) from the right needle to the left needle.

2. Now move the same stitches from the left needle onto a large stitch holder so that the first stitch that will be taken off the holder is the last stitch in the row you just worked.

3. Take the first stitch from the holder, onto the left needle and K2 tog (one that came from the holder and one that was already on the left needle).

4. Take the next stitch from the holder onto the left needle and K2 tog (again, one that came from the holder and one that was already on the left needle).

5. Bind off the previous stitch on the right needle by passing it over the just-made stitch and off the needle.

6. Repeat steps 4-5 until all stitches on the holder have been worked.

Congratulations. You have just bound off and made a seam without any sewing!

Note: This method can also be used to join two separate pieces of knitting. As you finish knitting the first piece, don't bind off the edge to be joined, and place the live stitches on a stitch holder. Then when you're finished knitting the second piece don't bind off, and start with step 3 above.

For more tips on knitting the Fortune-Teller Turban, see
Cast-Ons: Keeping Count
Add Fringe!
I Love Cable Cast-On
Swatch Wars
Checkerboard Stitch Fortune-Teller Turban